Danger Quote by Alfred North Whitehead
“Learning preserves the errors of the past, as well as its wisdom. For this reason, dictionaries are public dangers, although they are necessities.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Adventures of Ideas, 1933
Learning keeps past errors and wisdom alive; dictionaries preserve language but can also spread outdated ideas.
In simple terms: Learning stores errors and wisdom.
Key Takeaway
Use knowledge critically.
Themes
education
language
history
Mood
critical
inquisitive
Type
academic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- teaching
- policy making
Key Concepts
epistemology
information theory
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we balance preservation and progress?
- What role do dictionaries play today?
A Different Perspective
May overstate dictionaries' danger.
