A brutish man cannot fear sin; an ignorant man cannot be pious, nor can the shy man learn, or the impatient man teach. He who engages excessively in business cannot become wise. In a place where there are no men strive to be a man.
Pirkei Avos 2:6
2006-10-23 13:59:33 · 12 answers · asked by Gamla Joe 7 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
about the man thing... the quote is over 2,000 years old you kind of have to take into account the society that was around back then.
2006-10-23 14:08:52 · update #1
saying "where there are no men strive to be a man" is the same as saying today where their are no leaders take charge and be proactive
2006-10-23 14:09:40 · update #2
boy some people dont know how to look at something figuretively instead of litterly. Ah well such is society toda
2006-10-23 14:14:09 · update #3
I think this is a great quote. I'm very fond of Pirkei Avos - there are a lot of great quotes there!
The part about "nor can the shy man learn" is a good reminder to me because I'm so shy that sometimes I don't ask questions in class. So that is definitely true, and I need to overcome this.
2006-10-23 18:43:40 · answer #1 · answered by Heron By The Sea 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honestly? I don't agree with everything it states: a shy man cannot learn... that isn't true. Did Pirkei mean someone who shies from the truth or learning? That would be accurate. And "he that engages excessively in business cannot become wise" should read "has a lowered capacity to become wise". There are wise workaholics. It is not wise to be a workaholic, but you can be both at the same time. It's sort of like the saying, "do as I say, not as I do". A workaholic can know he or she shouldn't work so much, but sometimes putting that into action is harder. Last thing: "where there are no men strive to be a man". That is not what I would want to strive for, even if I were a man. You should strive for humility, kindness, wisdom, honesty, submission to God, compassion, and honor. Those qualities are not specific to men, and are hard to attain no matter your gender. You should strive to be like Christ would want you to be. If you look to man for your example, you have looked to a model in failure. If you look to God as your example, you might fail in your quest to model Him, but you will have surpassed man's example.
2006-10-23 14:08:36 · answer #2 · answered by Iamnotarobot (former believer) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't like it.
I think the brutish man has plenty of sin to fear, and if what the line means is that such a man is incapable of fearing I'd think he'd still has reason to fear any number of sins.
I think an ignorant person can be pious.
I know that a shy man can learn. The world is full of very educated shy people.
I also know that impatient people can sometimes teach very effectively.
I think its possible to become a certain variety of "wise" even if someone engages in business.
I don't even think its correct to assume that some place has no men or even women who are every bit as much "a man" as many men are.
As I said, I don't like it - any of it. But that's just me, I guess...
2006-10-23 14:10:04 · answer #3 · answered by WhiteLilac1 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You'll certainly find plenty in Pirkei Avos. I don't think people on Yahoo Answers are particularly interested in wisdom though. I'd guess there are more children than adults on here. :(
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2006-10-23 14:38:50 · answer #4 · answered by Hatikvah 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A little negative and a bit biased against men but I' m sure you have a reason.
2006-10-23 14:04:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds cool!
2006-10-23 14:00:40 · answer #6 · answered by nintyfb01 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it would be a good idea, as long as you actually quote something useful to everyone
2006-10-23 14:03:14 · answer #7 · answered by AG 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No women in Pirkei's world, huh? Have you looked at brainyquote.com?
2006-10-23 14:03:16 · answer #8 · answered by Carmen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Kinda shallow.
2006-10-23 14:03:51 · answer #9 · answered by Steiner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i kinda like "Candy is dandy but liquor is quicker" better than the quote you came up with.
2006-10-23 14:27:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋