--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: According to our social science, we can…" description: "\"According to our social science, we can be or become wise in all matters of secondary importance, but we have to be resigned to utter ignorance in the ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/leo-strauss-12446_choices_according-to-our-social-science-we-can-b_1456477.jpg" --- # According to our social science, we can be or become wise… ![“According to our social science, we can be or become wise in all matters of secondary importance, but we have to be resigned to utter ignorance in the most important respect: we cannot have any knowledge regarding the ultimate principles of our choices, i.e. regarding their soundness or…” quote by Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/leo-strauss-12446_choices_according-to-our-social-science-we-can-b_1456477.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/leo-strauss-12446_choices_according-to-our-social-science-we-can-b_1456477.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4dd/leo-strauss-12446_choices_according-to-our-social-science-we-can-b_1456477.jpg) > “According to our social science, we can be or become wise in all matters of secondary importance, but we have to be resigned to utter ignorance in the most important respect: we cannot have any knowledge regarding the ultimate principles of our choices, i.e. regarding their soundness or unsoundness... We are then in the position of beings who are sane and sober when engaged in trivial business and who gamble like madmen when confronted with serious issues.” [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We can be knowledgeable about minor matters yet remain ignorant of the ultimate principles that guide our most important choices, leading to reckless decisions in serious matters. **In simple terms:** We know trivial things but lack deep understanding of core values, causing poor judgments. Key Takeaway Seek deeper insight into fundamental values before acting. Themes knowledge humility decision‑making Mood analytical serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career planning - public policy - personal ethics Key Concepts political philosophy epistemology Questions to Reflect On - What core principles do you overlook? - How can you balance practical knowledge with deeper wisdom? A Different Perspective The claim may overgeneralize human rationality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/issues/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Madmen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/madmen/) [Principles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principles/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Serious issues](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serious-issues/) [Sober](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sober/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-science/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [The belief that value judgments are not subject, in the last analysis, to rational control, encourages the inclination to make irresponsible assertions regarding right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/the-belief-that-value-judgments-are-not-subject-in-the-last-analysis/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [We cannot but be astonished at the ease with which men resign themselves to ignorance about what is most important for them to know;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederic-bastiat/we-cannot-but-be-astonished-at-the-ease-with-which-men-resign/) [Frederic Bastiat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederic-bastiat/) > [“What sickens me about left-wing people, especially the intellectuals, is their utter ignorance of the way things actually happen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/what-sickens-me-about-left-wing-people-especially-the-intellectuals/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [There is an utter ignorance of, and indifference to, our sufferings and privations…What care they for us, provided we be submissive, pay the taxes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-o-connell/there-is-an-utter-ignorance-of-and-indifference-to-our-sufferings-and/) [Daniel O'Connell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-o-connell/) > [To remove ignorance is an important branch of benevolence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-plato/to-remove-ignorance-is-an-important-branch-of-benevolence/) Ann Plato > [So oft in theologic wars, The disputants, I ween, Rail on in utter ignorance Of what each other mean, And prate about an Elephant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcquiston-ii/so-oft-in-theologic-wars-the-disputants-i-ween-rail-on-in-utter/) John McQuiston II > [At present we educate people only up to the point where they can earn a living and marry; then education ceases altogether, as though…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/at-present-we-educate-people-only-up-to-the-point-where-they-can-earn/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [Perhaps no person can be a poet, or can even enjoy poetry, without a certain unsoundness of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/perhaps-no-person-can-be-a-poet-or-can-even-enjoy-poetry-without-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Prophetic of infidel times, and indicating the unsoundness of our general education, 'The Vestiges of the Natural History of Creation', has started into public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brewster/prophetic-of-infidel-times-and-indicating-the-unsoundness-of-our/) [David Brewster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brewster/) > [Unsoundness in a slave, as well as in a horse, detracts materially from his value. If no warranty is given, a close examination is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solomon-northup/unsoundness-in-a-slave-as-well-as-in-a-horse-detracts-materially-from/) [Solomon Northup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solomon-northup/) > [The trouble with traditional American conservatism is that it lacks a naturally cheerful, optimistic disposition. Not only does it lack one, it regards signs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-kristol/the-trouble-with-traditional-american-conservatism-is-that-it-lacks-a/) [Irving Kristol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-kristol/) > [Man's respect for knowledge is one of his most peculiar characteristics. Knowledge in Latin is scientia, and science came to be the name of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/imre-lakatos/man-s-respect-for-knowledge-is-one-of-his-most-peculiar/) [Imre Lakatos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/imre-lakatos/) > [The first step toward tolerance is respect and the first step toward respect is knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-louis-gates/the-first-step-toward-tolerance-is-respect-and-the-first-step-toward/) [Henry Louis Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-louis-gates/) > [My mother taught me three things: respect, knowledge, search for knowledge. It's an eternal journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/my-mother-taught-me-three-things-respect-knowledge-search-for-2/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [My mother taught me three things, respect, knowledge-search for knowledge, it's an eternal journey. That's like my hair-cut, the line, 360 degrees, find knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/my-mother-taught-me-three-things-respect-knowledge-search-for/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) ## More by Leo Strauss > [A conservative, I take it, is a man who despises vulgarity; but the argument which is concerned exclusively with calculations of success, and is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/a-conservative-i-take-it-is-a-man-who-despises-vulgarity-but-the/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [Men are constantly attracted and deluded by two opposite charms: the charm of competence which is engendered by mathematics and everything akin to mathematics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/men-are-constantly-attracted-and-deluded-by-two-opposite-charms-the/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [“But what is the core of the political? Men killing men on the largest scale in broad daylight and with the greatest serenity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/but-what-is-the-core-of-the-political-men-killing-men-on-the-largest/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [“Todo ser humano y toda sociedad es lo que es en virtud de su máxima aspiración. La ciudad, si es sana, aspira no a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/todo-ser-humano-y-toda-sociedad-es-lo-que-es-en-virtud-de-su-m-xima/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [“Only a great fool would call the new political science diabolic: it has no attributes peculiar to fallen angels. It is not even Machiavellian,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/only-a-great-fool-would-call-the-new-political-science-diabolic-it/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [We somehow believe that our point of view is superior, higher than those of the greatest minds either because our point of view is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/we-somehow-believe-that-our-point-of-view-is-superior-higher-than/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [ The emancipation of the scholars and scientists from philosophy is according to \[Nietzsche\] only a part of the democratic movement, i.e. of the emancipation… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/the-emancipation-of-the-scholars-and-scientists-from-philosophy-is/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [The most superficial fact regarding the 'Discourses,' the fact that the number of its chapters equals the number of books of Livy's 'History,' compelled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/the-most-superficial-fact-regarding-the-discourses-the-fact-that-the/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [If the highest things are unknowable, then the highest capacity or virtue of man cannot be theoretical wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/if-the-highest-things-are-unknowable-then-the-highest-capacity-or/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [History teaches us that a given view has been abandoned in favor of another by all men, or by all competent men, or perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/history-teaches-us-that-a-given-view-has-been-abandoned-in-favor-of/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [No bloody or unbloody change of society can eradicate the evil in man: as long as there will be men, there will be malice,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/no-bloody-or-unbloody-change-of-society-can-eradicate-the-evil-in-man/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [Liberal education, which consists in the constant intercourse with the greatest minds, is a training in the highest form of modesty. ... It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/liberal-education-which-consists-in-the-constant-intercourse-with-the/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [Education to perfect gentlemanship, to human excellence, liberal education consists in reminding oneself of human excellence, of human greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/education-to-perfect-gentlemanship-to-human-excellence-liberal/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [The contemporary rejection of natural right leads to nihilism — nay, it is identical with nihilism,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/the-contemporary-rejection-of-natural-right-leads-to-nihilism-nay-it/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [When speaking of a "body of knowledge" or of "the results of research," e.g., we tacitly assign the same cognitive status to inherited knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/when-speaking-of-a-body-of-knowledge-or-of-the-results-of-research-e/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) [Explore all 55 Leo Strauss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) ## More Choices quotes > [Of all the people who have affected my life and influenced the choices I've made, none has been more important than my father. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-atlas/of-all-the-people-who-have-affected-my-life-and-influenced-the/) [Teddy Atlas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-atlas/) > [“Don’t allow anyone to pressure you into taking a job in a field that doesn’t feel right in your gut. You are the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-james/don-t-allow-anyone-to-pressure-you-into-taking-a-job-in-a-field-that/) Alison James > [When you have a choice, choose happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pancho-barnes/when-you-have-a-choice-choose-happy/) Pancho Barnes > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Movies have power. Power to impact society and the choices we make. I want to entertain, but I also want to say something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gina-prince-bythewood/movies-have-power-power-to-impact-society-and-the-choices-we-make-i/) [Gina Prince-Bythewood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gina-prince-bythewood/) > [If you have a different mindset, you will have a different outcome: if you make different choices from your peers, your life will then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-ma/if-you-have-a-different-mindset-you-will-have-a-different-outcome-if/) [Jack Ma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-ma/) > [Personally, I prefer contemporary films, but the market calls for more period choices, especially since China opened up a cinema market in Hong Kong.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donnie-yen/personally-i-prefer-contemporary-films-but-the-market-calls-for-more/) [Donnie Yen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donnie-yen/) > [Clarissa," he said, "here with the vampire, I see. When things have settled a bit, we really must discuss you choice in pets..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/clarissa-he-said-here-with-the-vampire-i-see-when-things-have-settled/) [Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/) > [Change is inevitable but personal growth is a choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/change-is-inevitable-but-personal-growth-is-a-choice/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Act always so as to increase the number of choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinz-von-foerster/act-always-so-as-to-increase-the-number-of-choices/) [Heinz von Foerster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinz-von-foerster/) > [Give me a platter of choice finnan haddie, freshly cooked in its bath of water and milk, add melted butter, a slice or two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-claiborne/give-me-a-platter-of-choice-finnan-haddie-freshly-cooked-in-its-bath/) [Craig Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-claiborne/) > [I don't know that any woman could ever not think about that at some point - even making the choice not to do it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-watts/i-don-t-know-that-any-woman-could-ever-not-think-about-that-at-some/) [Naomi Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-watts/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) [Browse all 11,466 Choices quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "According to our social science, we can be or become wise in all matters of secondary importance, but we have to be resigned to utter ignorance in the most important respect: we cannot have any knowledge regarding the ultimate principles of our choices, i.e. regarding their soundness or unsoundness... 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