How can having a "vast knowledge" make someone go far in life?

Answer 1

It doesn't. Trust me. The maven's (those with extensive knowledge on a subject) are sought after when there is an urgency, but shunned and scoffed at the rest of the time.

In Proverbs 4:7 it says, "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." The careful knowing of the hows and whys of a thing needs a good appreciation of when and how to use that knowledge, and that is wisdom.

In Ecclesiastes 1, the same writer said he "gave himself to know wisdom" and concluded, "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow" (1:18).

In the next chapter he said something really important:
Then I saw that wisdom excelleth folly, as far as light excelleth darkness. The wise man's eyes are in his head; but the fool walketh in darkness: and I myself perceived also that one event happeneth to them all. Then said I in my heart, As it happeneth to the fool, so it happeneth even to me; and why was I then more wise? Then I said in my heart, that this also is vanity [emptiness]. For there is no remembrance of the wise more than of the fool for ever; seeing that which now is in the days to come shall all be forgotten. And how dieth the wise man? as the fool. (2:13-16)

"Having 'vast knowledge'...go far in life?" Maybe, but maybe not. There is another passage with wisdom to consider, " And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity [love], I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity [love], it profiteth me nothing." (1 Corinthians 13:2-3).

Back to Ecclesiastes for a parting thought:
There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard. The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools. (Ecclesiastes 9:14-17).

Good luck in getting your "vast knowledge" to take you far.

Answer 2

Having the knowledge will not make you go far......It's how you apply that knowledge in the areas that you choose.......The Nazis, for ex. had highly educated doctors planning execution techniques........That's just one reason why you have to teach character and empathy along with higher education..

Answer 3

It depends on what kind of knowledge you have.

Some knowledge gets you far into outer space, some get you blown to bits .

Answer 4

It probably doesn't make much difference...give me someone who works hard instead.

Answer 5

maybe you they could find the cures to diseases and get rich by selling the annetdotes