Who thinks they can figure out what this means?

Question

Therefore wisdom is a more precious thing even than philosophy ; from it spring all the other virtues, for it teaches that we cannot live pleasantly without living wisely, honorably, and justly; nor live wisely, honorably, and justly without living pleasantly. For the virtues have grown into one with a pleasant life, and a pleasant life is inseparable from them.

And if you can do you agree

Answer 1

'Therefore wisdom is a more precious thing even than philosophy ;'

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philosophy

'Origin
The term philosophy comes from the Greek word Φιλοσοφία (philo-sophia), which means "love of wisdom." If one were to ask the ancient Greeks for the meaning of "wisdom", their answers would have dwelt on virtue, the quest for genuine knowledge, and the eradication of false opinions. However, the term is notoriously difficult to define today (see definition of philosophy) because of the diverse fields of study to which it has been popularly applied. '


'from it spring all the other virtues, for it teaches that we cannot live pleasantly without living wisely, honorably, and justly; nor live wisely, honorably, and justly without living pleasantly. For the virtues have grown into one with a pleasant life, and a pleasant life is inseparable from them.'

Wisdom is defined and identified by its results. The wise include honorable and virtuous concepts as subject of mind in mind.

Equating wisdom with happiness is a finite knowledge less than the finite reality. Equating wisdom with pleasant character is an individualism or opinion which excludes different personal contingent conditions coloring perception. The guidance of principles is the wisdom for action to changing contingent conditions. 'Pleasant' is not an absolute as change presents not one absolute, but an infinite number. However, Peace is of Good, and Good is of you. So what is it of Good today that guides your actions. Which of Good is the correct good for this moment. It must be something of human essence, but that is the universal Good (Love), but which of the specific, individual act is possibly and correctly for good. Which is right judgement gives good future, if wrong, then wrong.

Answer 2

It's interesting you post a conclusion and not the entire discussion. Anyway, I was a little unclear on what you were asking.

If you were asking what the conclusion literally means....the speaker is saying that Wisdom (or knowledge and the ability to act upon it) is superlative, or better than, Studying wisdom. Meaning, if you are truly wise, then you would always study to become more wise meaning to be wise you would be a philosopher. (It;s a little bold but it says...) The only way to live a good normal, nice life, is to be wise. Meaning: If your desire is to live a pleasant life, than you must acheive wisdom, and not simply be someone that studies the wise, because, if you are wise then you will study wisdom, then (being linear) you will then attain all of the stipulations it takes to live a pleasant life. (I like this though because it encompasses the perspective of the private, and public with the individual.)

Putting it in normal good ole lamen terms. Walk the walk. It's kinda like, a good teacher is much much more than someone that has a great knowledge of what they are teaching or someone that studies other teachers that teach the same class just to further their academic knowledge. But, if you try to be a good teacher, you would then learn patience, approachablility, adaptability to the class, etc etc., to make sure that the class understands. Because, all in all, a good teacher focuses on the class, not the education. A good teacher, takes all of the students, and brings then to an enlightened level.

Someone that is wise, will enlightened the class. While , someone that is a philosopher, is focusing on education, not the class.

But the problem with just posting the conclusion, is we don't know what the speaker and listener (philosophers) have agreed to.

And the only reason I bring that up, is because, well, this is a conclusion based upon truths the two philosophers have agreed to.

If you were looking for a discussion, well......this quote makes so many assumptions I'm not going to waste my time debating it with my personal philosophy and wisdom....because all I'll be doing is saying, "I don't agree with this" "This is an assumption" "What is that based upon" just the same good ole questions.


My two cents.

Answer 3

I think it means that philosophy can be debated so you can not have it be a sturdy foundation to base honor, truthfulness and other virtues on, however wisdom is more knoledgeable and to recieve wisdom you must have experience. For example I could say that life exists on other planets as philosophy that can be debated, however with wisdom you can prove it, such as if I were to say the fire is hot, then I dare you to debate that by sticking your hand in a fire as if it doesn't hurt. You would know that fire is hot becuase you have lived to experince that.

Thats my opinion

Answer 4

All the knowledge and wisdom in the world, including philosophy,will do one no good if they do not have the wisdom to put that knowledge into right action.

Answer 5

It means that the wise are virtuous. and the virtuous are content. There for wisdom equals happiness.
Which is completely oposite of the famous phrase "ignorence is bliss"...

Answer 6

I would say that the wise are the least likely to live a virtuous life.

Answer 7

only one who has lived this as surely as a king would know the room well adorned and fit to live even though they walk among those who have not known such heavenly thing.

Answer 8

It takes wisdom to live happily and if you live happily, you are pretty smart.

Answer 9

Basically it means that life is too complicated if you live with deceit.

Answer 10

if your an idiot youll end up screwing everything up for everybody but if your wise youll live happily