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February 25, 2008
wisdom backed by courage
Wisdom, backed by courage make great: because immortal, they immortalize: each is as great as his mind, and to him who knows, everything is possible. A man without knowledge, a world in darkness. Understanding, and will, they are the eyes and the hands; without courage the mind is dead.
A man at his best. You are not so born: strive daily to develop yourself in your person, in your calling, until perfection is attained: the fullness of your every gift, of your every faculty. You will know it in the improvement of your test, in the clarification of your thinking, in the maturity of your judgment, in the control of your will. Some never attain the perfect, something always lacking, and others are late in coming to themselves. The man complete, wise in speech, wise in action, is admitted, yea, he is welcomed into that rare fellowship of those who understand.
Knowledge with good intent. They assure the happy issue of every undertaking. Good endowment joined to bad purpose has always yielded a monster. Evil intent is the venom in every capacity and, supported by knowledge, a poison more subtle; an unholy sovereignty, that which devotes itself to destruction! Science without conscience, compounded madness!
Baltasar Gracian - The Art of Worldly Wisdom
Posted by amin at February 25, 2008 11:48 PM