Single Idea 21479

[catalogued under 11. Knowledge Aims / A. Knowledge / 3. Value of Knowledge]

Full Idea

Knowledge is power. The devil it is! One man can have a great deal of knowledge without its giving him the least power, while another possesses supreme authority but next to no knowledge.

Gist of Idea

Knowledge is not power! Ignorant people possess supreme authority

Source

Arthur Schopenhauer (Parerga and Paralipomena [1851], III:43)

Book Reference

Schopenhauer,Arthur: 'Essays and Aphorisms [from Pand P]', ed/tr. Hollingdale,R.J. [Penguin 1970], p.125


A Reaction

He is referring to Bacon's famous adage. Bacon may be right about military affairs, but not about politics.