What is strength without a double share of wisdom?
Interpretation
Strength is meaningless without accompanying wisdom to guide its use.
This quote by John Milton emphasizes the importance of wisdom in conjunction with strength. It suggests that having power or physical strength is not truly valuable unless it is informed by knowledge and understanding; wisdom helps to direct strength towards virtuous and constructive ends.
In practice
In a motivational speech emphasizing the importance of not just physical ability but also mental clarity.
They, looking back, all the eastern side beheld Of Paradise, so late their happy seat, Waved over by that flaming brand, the gate With dreadful faces thronged and fiery arms: Some natural tears they dropped, but wiped them soon; The world was all before them, where to choose Their place of rest, and Providence their guide; They, hand in hand, with wandering steps and slow, Through Eden took their solitary way.
The stars, that nature hung in heaven, and filled their lamps with everlasting oil, give due light to the misled and lonely traveller.
Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones.
Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss
The end of all learning is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love and imitate Him.
Apt words have power to suage the tumors of a troubled mind.
It is a wise child that knows its own father, and an unusual one that unreservedly approves of him.
Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.
Feeling important makes one heavy, clumsy and vain. To be a warrior one needs to be light and fluid.
Endure the present, and watch for better things.
Societies in decline have no use for visionaries.
No one gets away with anything, ever, so take responsibility for your own life.
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