Tolstoy, after Rousseau, on Knowledge and Wisdom

“Real wisdom is not the knowledge of everything, but the knowledge of which things in life are necessary, which are less necessary, and which are completely unnecessary to know. Among the most necessary knowledge is the knowledge of how to live well, that is, how to produce the least possible evil and the greatest goodness in one’s life. At present, people study useless sciences, but forget to study this, the most important knowledge.”

Take Back Your Faith From the American Dream

I don't know what book or books you are reading right now and at this point, I really don't care.  Put it down.  Put them all down and pick this one up, open it, read it.  I triple-dog-dare you (that's right, I'm skipping the "triple dare," and am going straight for the throat)!


Buy it.
Borrow it.
Don't steal it (stealing is sin). 
Check it out from the library (and if they don't have it, get it by Inter-library loan). 
Buy a case, give them away. 
Wish-list it. 
Trade for it. 
Have someone read it to you. 
Read it over someone's shoulder (ask, first.  Have some couth).
Read it out loud in Sunday School.
Get it in large print.
Get it in Braille.
Get someone to translate it for you.

It will wreck your life.

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