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How terrible is wisdom, when it brings no profit to the man that's wise
Sophocles
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Wisdom is of little value if it does not lead to tangible benefits for the wise person.

This quote by Sophocles highlights the irony of possessing wisdom that does not result in any advantage or profit in one's life. It suggests that knowledge alone is insufficient without practical application, and that true wisdom should ideally lead to better decision-making and improve one's circumstances.

Themes

WisdomProfitKnowledgeValueIronies

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the value of education, this quote serves to illustrate the importance of applying knowledge practically.

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A little wisdom, now and then

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Quote by Sophocles | QuoteProject