Quote of the Day for Saturday, April 2nd, 2011:
Socrates on the knowledge of the good, in Plato’s Republic (Book VI, Jowett translation):
When little things are elaborated with an infinity of pains, in order that they may appear in their full beauty and utmost clearness, how ridiculous is it that we should not think the highest truths worthy of attaining the highest accuracy! … [Y]ou have often been told that the idea of the good is the highest knowledge, and that all other things become useful and advantageous only by their use of this. . . [Without the knowledge of the good], any other knowledge or possession of any kind will profit us nothing. Do you think that the possession of all other things is of any value if we do not possess the good?
Some knowledge is useless, and is not really knowledge at all; some is trivial, and distracts from the pursuit of wisdom; some is useful for understanding; some is essential to understanding; and then some is understanding itself.
Or…
Mark 8:36 (DRV)
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and suffer the loss of his soul?
1 Corinthians 13:2 (DRV)
2 And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries, and all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.