Single Idea 17230

[catalogued under 1. Philosophy / A. Wisdom / 1. Nature of Wisdom]

Full Idea

The best thing we can do, so long as we lack a perfect knowledge of our feelings, is to conceive a right rule of life, or sure maxims of life - to commit these to memory, and constantly apply these to particular cases.

Gist of Idea

If we are not wholly wise, we should live by good rules and maxims

Source

Baruch de Spinoza (The Ethics [1675], V Pr 10)

Book Reference

Spinoza,Benedict de: 'Ethics', ed/tr. White,WH/Stirling,AH [Wordsworth 2001], p.236


A Reaction

This seems to be the role of folk wisdom - to try to plant guidance in the heads of the not-so-wise.