APAD: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

7
7grizzly
楼主 (文学峸)

Meaning: Incomplete knowledge of a subject can be more dangerous than no knowledge.

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Complete knowledge, however, takes time and may come too late. It may take more

than one lifetime. Ancient wisdom passed down unquestioned, e.g., the

TaoTeChing, seem to have a point.

 

Moreover, perfect knowledge should be more about enaction than comprehension.

 

Einstein said that compound interest is the 8th wonder of the world, I heard in

college and was not impressed. I knew the math, after all. Many years later and

up to my neck in the American consumer dream (read the rat-race), I chanced upon

the second half of the quote: "he who understands it, earns it; he who doesn't

pays it." Sure enough, I had been happily keeping my nose to the grindstone

paying mortgage interests.

盈盈一笑间
危险因为一知半解,不求甚解吗?
方外居士
The more I know, the more I don’t know.
g
godog
A jar half full is easier to spill than a jar completely ful
7
7grizzly
Right!
7
7grizzly
I won't feel depressed :-)
7
7grizzly
Sure. The lighter one is easier to tilt or topple.
w
waterfowl
Particularly true with politicians
7
7grizzly
True and I suspect they give up.It's a thankless job anyway.
盈盈一笑间
Like the example you use.
天边一片白云
I am the one who has no knowledge.看不懂最后一段。
盈盈一笑间
7G有很多地道的英文表达,很棒!值得记录一下,学习。比如
盈盈一笑间
up to my neck in the American consumer dream
盈盈一笑间
chanced upon the second half of the quote
盈盈一笑间
keeping my nose to the grindstone
7
7grizzly
Thanks YY. Don't you love idiomatic English?
7
7grizzly
Thanks 4 reading. Please let me know which part is not clear

 

The entire Einstein quote was "Compound interest is the 8th wonder of the world.

he who understands it, earns it; he who doesn't pays it."

 

I only read the first sentence when I was in college and thought nothing of it.

 

Many years passed, I was lucky to read the 2nd sentence (online, I think) and

realized I was paying instead of earning interests.

 

It was ironic and used to illustrate the point "A little knowledge is a

dangerous thing."

7
7grizzly
Humiliating revelations? I have tons of them :-)
盈盈一笑间
欣赏白云认真学习的态度,妖妖也是这样,让人印象深刻~~
盈盈一笑间
Yes, I do. :))Your English is very authentic.
盈盈一笑间
Knowing how to laugh at yourself is a kinda self-confidence

7
7grizzly
Thanks! It's very kind of you. I just try to make it fun :-)
7
7grizzly
Thanks. That confidence's shallow and easily punctured :-)
天山晨
使我想起了【侠客行】里的知识障,懂得越多受知识的阻碍越大!也有道理!