“You have listened well to the teachings.
You have found a flaw. Think well about it again. Let me warn you, you who are
thirsty for knowledge, against the thicket of opinions and the conflict of
words. Opinions mean nothing; they may be beautiful or ugly, clever or foolish,
anyone can embrace or reject them. The teaching which you have heard, however,
is not my opinion, and its goal is not to explain the world to those who are thirsty
for knowledge. Its goal is quite different; its goal is salvation from
suffering. That is what Gotama teaches, nothing else.”
The Buddha, speaking to young Siddhartha
Siddhartha, by Herman Hesse
Knowledge is useful only in application.
Trying to use information for the wrong purpose leads only to confusion. When you seek and gain knowledge, you must be
clear for what use it is intended. In the example above, Gotama (the Buddha)
explains that his teaching – the knowledge he is imparting – is to relieve
suffering, rather than explain the world.
Trying to use that teaching to understand our world will not help you;
instead reap its benefit by using it to alleviate suffering.
Knowledge does not make you wise. Knowledge
does not make life happier and easier. Knowledge for the sake of knowledge, or
for an ego boost, is a pointless addiction. Be careful when learning that you
learn also how to apply your knowledge judiciously, and in the arena for which
it was intended.
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