What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.
George Bernard ShawRead
Thus, I blush to add, you can not be a philosopher and a good man, though you may be a philosopher and a great one.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Being a philosopher doesn't necessarily mean being a good person, though one can be both great and philosophical.
In this quote, George Bernard Shaw suggests that while philosophy can elevate one's intellect and understanding, it does not guarantee moral goodness. He implies that the pursuit of philosophical thought can sometimes distance individuals from practical human virtues, leading to a complex relationship between knowledge and morality.
Themes
PhilosophyMoralityGoodnessKnowledgeIntellect
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about the ethical responsibilities of intellectuals at a philosophy seminar.
More from George Bernard Shaw
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Forgive him, for he believes that the customs of his tribe are the laws of nature!
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Those who talk most about the blessings of marriage and the constancy of its vows are the very people who declare that if the chain were broken and the prisoners left free to choose, the whole social fabric would fly asunder. You cannot have the argument both ways. If the prisoner is happy, why lock him in? If he is not, why pretend that he is?
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Treat a friend as a person who may someday become your enemy; an enemy as a person who may someday become your friend.
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The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.
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