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Single Idea 23064

[filed under theme 1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 3. Wisdom Deflated ]

Full Idea

What is known as 'wisdom' is ultimately only a perpetual 'thinking it over', i.e. non-action as first impulse.

Gist of Idea

So-called wisdom is just pondering things instead of acting

Source

E.M. Cioran (The Trouble with Being Born [1973], 01)

Book Ref

Cioran,E.M.: 'The Trouble with Being Born', ed/tr. Richard Howard [Penguin 2012], p.16

A Reaction

This may be how most people view wisdom. Wisdom is for the spectators, not the actors (perhaps). Wisdom needs a lot of thought, and I don't associate it with extremely active people.

The 16 ideas with the same theme [doubts about the high status of wisdom]:

291 Don't assume that wisdom is the automatic consequence of old age [Plato]
7893 Our life is the creation of our mind [Anon (Dham)]
8766 In much wisdom is much grief [Anon (Ecc)]
20815 No wise man has yet been discovered [Stoic school, by Cicero]
6263 No wisdom could make us comfortably walk a wide beam if it was high in the air [Montaigne]
8093 Seek wisdom rather than truth; it is easier [Joubert]
7170 'Wisdom' attempts to get beyond perspectives, making it hostile to life [Nietzsche]
14890 Suffering is the meaning of existence [Nietzsche]
18290 But what is the reasoning of the body, that it requires the wisdom you seek? [Nietzsche]
19608 Wisdom is just the last gasp of a dying civilization [Cioran]
23064 So-called wisdom is just pondering things instead of acting [Cioran]
9764 Inspiration and social improvement need wisdom, but not professional philosophy [Quine]
9247 Life will be lived better if it has no meaning [Camus]
3240 There is more insight in fundamental perplexity about problems than in their supposed solutions [Nagel]
7490 Because of Darwin, wisdom as a definite attainable state has faded [Watson]
19695 The devil was wise as an angel, and lost no knowledge when he rebelled [Whitcomb]