Two evils, of almost equal weight, may befall the man of…
“Two evils, of almost equal weight, may befall the man of erudition; never to be listened to, and to be listened to always.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Intellectuals risk hearing both harmful advice and constant criticism, which can paralyze them.
In simple terms: Scholars may be overwhelmed by opposing voices.
Balance listening with critical judgment.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- personal decision making
- leadership
- policy formulation
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you discern useful criticism?
- When should you ignore advice?
Overemphasis on any side can lead to indecision.