Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing

The quote/ saying actually goes “A little bit of knowledge is a dangerous thing” and can be traced back to Leander Pope in the 1700s: “A little learning is a dangerous thing;
drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:
there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,
and drinking largely sobers us again.”

This is important, and something that so rarely gets repeated and discussed today. How often do we all make assumptions off of only part of the story? Not knowing everything leads to terrible mistakes. It is actually one of the principles that the American law system is built on. And also how it can be manipulated.

Innocent until proven guilting. Creating engineering feats. Writing. So many aspects of our lives revolve on knowing history, our surroundings, how things work. And yet, as soon as we get a little bit of knowledge, we assume that we know more than we do. I know that I am guilty of that.

But try to bring that view point into our immediate satisfaction society and no one will listen. The stubborn rubs off more than the vigilant. To circle your wagons and shout from safety is to never learn the other side. Right and wrong is a thing of fact. Theology can distort this, as can view point. And then comes the question, at what point can your actions not be forgiven?

Knowledge, all of the information, helps to answer these questions. One view point is never enough, and arguing about a situation that is a private matter- are we ready for that? Are we ready to never let someone forget a single moment of stupidity? Is that not just returning lack of knowledge with lack of knowledge? When will the cycle end?