And You Are?

August 4, 2013 by kmabarrett

There are three classes of intellects: one which comprehends by itself; another which appreciates what others comprehend; and a third which neither comprehends by itself nor by the showing of others; the first is the most excellent, the second is good, and the third is useless.

― Niccolò Machiavelli
From his book: “The Prince“

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On This Day In:
2012	Not Too Late
2011	Persistence
2009	Health Care?

Posted in Quotes, Science and Learning | Tagged Niccolò Machiavelli, On Intelligence, On Learning, Quotes, The Prince | 9 Comments

9 Responses

on August 4, 2013 at 2:21 pm | Reply Cubby

Even if Stephen Hawking were to sit down and explain the mysteries of the universe to me, I doubt I would comprehend most of what he was saying. Would I appreciate what he was saying? I don’t believe anyone can fully appreciate without understanding…it would be a very superficial appreciation at best. Therefore, it sounds like the third class for me, but “useless” is a subjective term; what may be useless to one person can be deemed useful by another.
- on August 4, 2013 at 2:54 pm | Reply kmabarrett
  
  Hi Cubby,
  First, I doubt your premise is correct. If they are truly “mysteries”, they can be described but not explained, otherwise they would not be mysteries. Further, I believe you (like most folks) sell yourself short for comprehending many parts of science. For example, I can comprehend the number one billion (1,000,000,000), but I cannot visualize the amount of grains of sand which would equal that number. In this case, I understand, but cannot appreciate (fully). The same with stars in the galaxy or galaxies in the universe – or the size of either.
  
  Most of what we call “life” is only a superficial appreciation of our personal experiences (at best). This does not make your life any less valuable. This, despite Plato’s assertion that the unexamined life is not worth living. (The flip side to this statement is from Kurt Vonnegut who responded that the examined life my be a stinker too. — That’s a paraphrase, not a quote.)
  
  Second, having read your blog postings, you fall with Plato far more than with Machiavelli (and false modesty is not becoming). And please recall this quote is meant to reflect a spectrum of topics as well as of understanding… In this case, Machiavelli is describing political intellect and not inherent personal value.
  
  Third, please understand that I am in love with ideas and the words used to express the ideas. I can appreciate the artistry of what you say even if I don’t agree with a thing you are saying.
  
  All of which is a round about way of saying: “I agree completely with your comment!”
  
  Namaste
  - on August 4, 2013 at 3:11 pm | Reply Cubby
    
    ROFL I feel like I was just gently bludgeoned with a foam bat. Firstly, I agree that having a superficial appreciation of life does not make it any less valuable. Secondly, the quote does make more sense to me in the context of political intellect (and false modesty is not false if you believe what you are saying.) And thirdly, I agree that appreciation is on a different level than opinion and can exist independent of it.
    - on August 4, 2013 at 3:34 pm | Reply kmabarrett
      
      I had visions of a pillow fight, but “foam bat” works, too!
      
      Curious… So, you’re saying despite all evidence to the contrary (your blog, for example), if you believe something, that makes it so? …Or is this only true in the case of your modesty? To throw in another quote: “Modesty is the gentle art of enhancing your charm by pretending not to be aware of it.” — Oliver Herford
      
      Methinks the feline doth protest too much!
      - on August 4, 2013 at 3:53 pm | Reply Cubby
        
        Does something need to breathe in order to exist? Belief is enough to create existence, if only a marginal one, though it may not align with a shared, conscious “reality”.
        
        The problem with traits like modesty lies in perception and that everyone will perceive things differently. It also depends on how one was raised and their cultural environments. If you learn at a very young age that nothing you do is good enough and internalize it, then this belief becomes very resistant to anything other than confirmation bias. People tend to work within their own belief systems, even if it does not seem logical or rational to do so.
        
        on August 4, 2013 at 4:25 pm | Reply kmabarrett
        
        And once again: “I agree.”
        
        Please see: “In Broken Images” at: https://kmabarrett.wordpress.com/poems/in-broken-images/
        
        If my last reply touched too close to home and I have offended – I apologize.
        
        Namaste
        
        on August 4, 2013 at 4:30 pm | Reply Cubby
        
        Not at all, no offense taken whatsoever. I’m sorry if it came across like I was offended. I am going to check out the link you provided right now. 🙂
on August 4, 2013 at 3:55 am | Reply butimbeautiful

the first, obviously!!
- on August 4, 2013 at 4:00 am | Reply kmabarrett
  
  Obviously!