The fear of speculation, the ostensible rush from the theoretical to the practical, brings about the same shallowness in action that it does in knowledge. It is by studying a strictly theoretical philosophy that we become most acquainted with Ideas, and only Ideas provide action with vigour and ethical meaning.
Interpretation
The pursuit of knowledge should be deep and theoretical to enrich action with meaning and vigor.
Friedrich Wilhelm Joseph Schelling argues that a superficial rush to practical action without deep theoretical understanding leads to shallowness in both knowledge and behavior. He emphasizes the importance of a rigorous study of philosophy and ideas, suggesting that such intellectual engagement is essential for meaningful and vigorous action in the world.
In practice
In a lecture on the importance of theoretical knowledge in education.
One is almost tempted to say that the language itself is a mythology deprived of its vitality, a bloodless mythology so to speak, which has only preserved in a formal and abstract form what mythology contains in living and concrete form.
Logic is a poor guide compared with custom.
Censure acquits the raven, but pursues the dove.
Our government rests upon religion. It is from that source that we derive our reverance for truth and justice, for equality and liberty, and for the rights of mankind. Unless the people believe in these principles they cannot believe in our government.
In mathematical quarters, the regular division of the plane has been considered theoretically. ... [Mathematicians] have opened the gate leading to an extensive domain, but they have not entered this domain themselves. By their very nature they are more interested in the way in which the gate is opened than in the garden lying behind it.
I’ll put it out there: I am scarred by the nostalgic indicipherability of my own desires; I an engulfed by the intimidating unknown, pushed through darkness and dragged down by the irretrievable past sweetness of my memories.
Let him who wants a true church cling to the Word by which everything is upheld.
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