If we acquire knowledge
but do not sincerely apply what we have learned,
we will have only increased our conceit.
What then will we become?
If we are sincere in what we are doing
but not acquiring knowledge,
we will only be stubbornly following our viewpoints.
We will never see the truth.
“I know I’m right. I’m always right!” he said confidently.
“Well, I know I’m right, so you must be wrong. Just because you read all the time, you think you know everything,” she sighed.
“You’re a sweet kid Lily, but you never read anything. If you read even a little, you’d be more aware of what was going on. For example, you’d know that you mastodons have been extinct for 10,000 years.” Jacque said, returned to his reading.
“Goodness! What’s a master...masti...mastodon”? Lily asked.
Without looking up at Lily, Jacque closed the book and opened another. “A big, furry elephant.”
“Well I don’t care what some book, or the raccoon reading it, says. I am not extinct,” Lily insisted.
“Like I say, you’re attached to your ideas, Lily. But be realistic. How many other mastodons do you see around here?”
Lily gasped. “Wait a minute. Jacque, did you just call me a furry elephant?”
“Not me, Lily. That’s what it says in the book.”
Since Jacque was reading, he didn’t see the hurt expression on Lily’s face. But above them in the trees, Ricardo had been listening to their conversation. And he did see how upset Lily was. He also saw the title of the book Jacque was reading.
Ricardo called down to them, “Jacque...Lily...what’s up?”
Lily sniffed, “Jacque just called me a furry elephant.”
Jacque looked up. “Actually, I said a big, furry elephant.”
“Interesting. Say, Jacque, what are you reading now?”
“Guidelines for Being a Good Person. It’s about respect and caring about the feelings of others,” Jacque answered.
“Doesn’t it also warn about reading a lot but not using what you’ve learned?” Ricardo asked.
Startled, Jacque replied, “Yes!”
“Doesn’t it also talk about the importance of being a kind and trustworthy friend?”
Jacque gave a more hesitant “Yes.”
“Jacque, you implied Lily wasn’t very smart since she rarely read anything. Also, instead of saying her kind was big and furry, you could have used words that were more polite. You’re reading that book but not applying what you read.”
“And Lily, you’re very sincere but you can be a bit stubborn at times. Reading would broaden your thinking.”
Jacque and Lily looked at each other. “How about reading this book with me Lily?” Lily smiled and happily sat down next to Jacque, and they began reading—and learning—together.
In learning, we need to apply what we learn.
In living, we need to keep learning and be open to the truth.
January 17, 2010 