If a person studies too much and exhausts his reflective powers, he will be confused, and will not be able to apprehend even that which had been within the power of his apprehension. For the powers of the body are all alike in this respect.
Interpretation
Overthinking can lead to confusion and hinder understanding.
This quote by Maimonides highlights the detrimental effects of excessive studying and reflective thinking. It suggests that overexertion in intellectual pursuits can actually cloud one's understanding and prevent one from grasping concepts that were previously within their reach, much like how physical exhaustion affects the body’s capabilities.
In practice
In a self-help seminar discussing the importance of balance in studying.
If men possessed wisdom, which stands in the same relation to the form of man as the sight to the eye, they would not cause any injury to themselves or to others; for the knowledge of truth removes hatred and quarrels, and prevents mutual injuries.
There are eight rungs in charity. The highest is when you help a man to help himself.
God who preceded all existence is a refuge.
When man possesses a good, sound body that does not overpower him nor disturb the equilibrium in him, he possesses a divine gift. In short, a good constitution facilitates the rule of the soul over the body, but it is not impossible to conquer a bad constitution by training.
If the whole earth is infinitely small in comparison with the sphere of the stars, what is man compared with all these created beings!
One should see the world, and see himself as a scale with an equal balance of good and evil. When he does one good deed the scale is tipped to the good - he and the world is saved. When he does one evil deed the scale is tipped to the bad - he and the world is destroyed.
I'm not better than anyone, and I'm not trying to convince people to live by my standards of what's right. I'm trying to convince them to live by their own.
The obvious choice isn't always the best choice, but sometimes, by golly, it is. I don't stop looking as soon I find an obvious answer, but if I go on looking, and the obvious-seeming answer still seems obvious, I don't feel guilty about keeping it.
Being, not doing, is my first joy.
Adults are just outdated children.
The best ideas make you want to say 'yes' and 'no' in the same breath.
And if my heart be scarred and burned, The safer, I, for all I learned.
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