July 27

Knowledge is a tool, not a goal.

1

The reason why people know so little is that they aspire to learn things that are either beyond their understanding, things that are unfathomable—God, eternity, the soul—or things that are not worth thinking about, e.g. how water freezes, the theory of numbers, or what bacteria causes which illness, etc.

There is only one path of true knowledge: the only thing you should know is how to live.

2

To remove a splinter in your foot, another splinter is used to help get the first one out; when this is done, both are thrown away. In the same way, the intellect is needed only to remove the insanity that darkens the sight of the divine self, but the intellect is worth nothing on its own. It is only a tool.

— Brahmin wisdom

3

“Oh, how unfortunate I am! I wanted to read a wonderful and valuable book, but instead I am forced to fulfill the requests of this annoying person.”

“But,” I will reply to you, “does your duty consist in reading books when you are being asked for help? You should know and remember only what God wants and does not want you to do right now. A short time ago he made it so you found yourself alone, so that you could converse with yourself, read, write and prepare for good deeds. And today he sent you people who are asking you to help in deed. It is as if by means of this God is telling you:

“‘Leave your solitude and show in deed what you have learned, because time has come for you and the people to see the benefit of what you have read and contemplated.’

“So don’t fall flat on your face; don’t complain about people when they interrupt your work, for if there were no people, whom would you serve and what would be the point in reading books about how to best serve people?”

— Epictetus

4

Science should be used to affirm religion, not to acquire wealth.

— “Gulistan” by Saadi

5

The one who acquires knowledge but does not use it is akin to one who plows but does not sow.

— “Gulistan” by Saadi

6

The people who think that knowledge is the main task of life are like moths that fly into candle flames—not only do they themselves perish, but they dim the light also.

7

The word “learned” means only that someone had spent a long time learning something, not that he has actually learned anything.

— Lichtenberg

The purpose of life is to fulfill God’s law, not to acquire knowledge.