--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Learning is not virtue but the means to…" description: "\"Learning is not virtue but the means to bring us an acquaintance with it. Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ea/nathanael-greene-52868_acquaintance_learning-is-not-virtue-but-the-means-to_2222028.jpg" --- # Learning is not virtue but the means to bring us an… ![“Learning is not virtue but the means to bring us an acquaintance with it. Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful. Let these be your motives to action through life, the relief of the distressed, the detection of frauds, the defeat…” quote by Nathanael Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ea/nathanael-greene-52868_acquaintance_learning-is-not-virtue-but-the-means-to_2222028.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ea/nathanael-greene-52868_acquaintance_learning-is-not-virtue-but-the-means-to_2222028.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ea/nathanael-greene-52868_acquaintance_learning-is-not-virtue-but-the-means-to_2222028.jpg) > “Learning is not virtue but the means to bring us an acquaintance with it. Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful. Let these be your motives to action through life, the relief of the distressed, the detection of frauds, the defeat of oppression, and diffusion of happiness.” [Nathanael Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathanael-greene/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Knowledge must be paired with integrity; without it, both are ineffective or harmful. **In simple terms:** Knowledge needs integrity to be useful. Key Takeaway Cultivate both knowledge and integrity. Themes ethics knowledge integrity action Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career advancement - social justice - community service - leadership - personal growth Key Concepts moral philosophy personal development Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure your actions reflect both knowledge and integrity? - What systems can you build to balance them? A Different Perspective Integrity alone cannot compensate for lack of knowledge, and vice versa. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquaintance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquaintance/) [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Dangerous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dangerous/) [Defeat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defeat/) [Detection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/detection/) [Diffusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diffusion/) [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Fraud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fraud/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Integrity Dangerous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity-dangerous-2708593/) [Integrity Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity-knowledge-2708594/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Knowledge Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge-integrity-2708595/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Learning Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning-virtue-3450163/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Motive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/motive/) [Oppression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oppression/) [Relief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relief/) [Useless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/useless/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) [Weak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weak/) ## Related quotes > [Integrity without knowledge is weak and useless, and knowledge without integrity is dangerous and dreadful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/integrity-without-knowledge-is-weak-and-useless-and-knowledge-without/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [For the learning of every virtue there is an appropriate discipline, and for the learning of suspended judgment the best discipline is philosophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/for-the-learning-of-every-virtue-there-is-an-appropriate-discipline/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The clergy, with a few honorable exceptions, have in all modern countries been the avowed enemies of the diffusion of knowledge, the danger of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-thomas-buckle/the-clergy-with-a-few-honorable-exceptions-have-in-all-modern/) [Henry Thomas Buckle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-thomas-buckle/) > [Wealth and speed are what the world admires, what each pursues. 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The implosion of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-hagel/when-i-came-to-the-senate-in-1997-the-world-was-being-redefined-by/) [Chuck Hagel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-hagel/) > [We stand in the shadow of Jefferson who believed that a society founded upon the rule of law and liberty was dependent upon public…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-blunt/we-stand-in-the-shadow-of-jefferson-who-believed-that-a-society/) [Matt Blunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-blunt/) > [Conventions of generality and mathematical elegance may be just as much barriers to the attainment and diffusion of knowledge as may contentment with particularity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-e-boulding/conventions-of-generality-and-mathematical-elegance-may-be-just-as/) [Kenneth E. Boulding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-e-boulding/) > [In the late 60s, 70s and possibly early 80s, social scientists were interested in researching the diffusion of innovation and studying the link between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-simmons/in-the-late-60s-70s-and-possibly-early-80s-social-scientists-were/) [Ruth Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-simmons/) > [Mind is the great lever of all things; human thought is the process by which human ends are ultimately answered; and the diffusion of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-webster/mind-is-the-great-lever-of-all-things-human-thought-is-the-process-by/) [Daniel Webster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-webster/) > [It is hard to tell which is worse; the wide diffusion of things that are not true, or the suppression of things that are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-martineau/it-is-hard-to-tell-which-is-worse-the-wide-diffusion-of-things-that/) [Harriet Martineau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-martineau/) > [The diffusion of taste is not the same thing as the improvement of taste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/the-diffusion-of-taste-is-not-the-same-thing-as-the-improvement-of/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [The logic of all this seems to be that it is all right for young people in a democracy to learn about any civilization…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-l-becker/the-logic-of-all-this-seems-to-be-that-it-is-all-right-for-young/) [Carl L. Becker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-l-becker/) > [Safe popular freedom consists of four things, the diffusion of liberty, of intelligence, of property, and of conscientiousness, and cannot be compounded of any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-cook/safe-popular-freedom-consists-of-four-things-the-diffusion-of-liberty/) [Joseph Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-cook/) > [There are reasons for believing that the English increase will far surpass others, and that the diffusion of the United States will ultimately produce…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-stiles/there-are-reasons-for-believing-that-the-english-increase-will-far/) [Ezra Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-stiles/) ## More by Nathanael Greene > [We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathanael-greene/we-fight-get-beat-rise-and-fight-again/) [Nathanael Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathanael-greene/) > [It had been happy for me if I could have lived a private life in peace and plenty, enjoying all the happiness that results…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathanael-greene/it-had-been-happy-for-me-if-i-could-have-lived-a-private-life-in/) [Nathanael Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathanael-greene/) > [America must raise an empire of permanent duration, supported upon the grand pillars of Truth, Freedom, and Religion, encouraged by the smiles of Justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathanael-greene/america-must-raise-an-empire-of-permanent-duration-supported-upon-the/) [Nathanael Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathanael-greene/) > [I am determined to defend my rights and maintain my freedom or sell my life in the attempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathanael-greene/i-am-determined-to-defend-my-rights-and-maintain-my-freedom-or-sell/) [Nathanael Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathanael-greene/) > [Permit me then to recommend from the sincerity of my heart, ready at all times to bleed in my country's cause, a Declaration of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathanael-greene/permit-me-then-to-recommend-from-the-sincerity-of-my-heart-ready-at/) [Nathanael Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathanael-greene/) > [We are soldiers who devote ourselves to arms not for the invasion of other countries, but for the defense of our own, not for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathanael-greene/we-are-soldiers-who-devote-ourselves-to-arms-not-for-the-invasion-of/) [Nathanael Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathanael-greene/) [Explore all 7 Nathanael Greene quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathanael-greene/) ## More Acquaintance quotes > [Distrust all those who love you extremely upon a very slight acquaintance and without any visible reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distrust-all-those-who-love-you-extremely-upon-a-very-slight/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Be much alone with God, and take time to get thoroughly acquainted. Converse over everything with Him. Unburden yourself wholly -every thought, feeling, wish,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horatius-bonar/be-much-alone-with-god-and-take-time-to-get-thoroughly-acquainted/) [Horatius Bonar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horatius-bonar/) > [The study of history and philosophy, accompanied by some acquaintance with art and literature, should be for lawyers and engineers as well as for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-eagleton/the-study-of-history-and-philosophy-accompanied-by-some-acquaintance/) [Terry Eagleton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-eagleton/) > [The love of new acquaintance comes not so much from being weary of what we had before, or from any satisfaction there is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/the-love-of-new-acquaintance-comes-not-so-much-from-being-weary-of/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [One frequently only finds out how really beautiful a women is, until after considerable acquaintance with her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/one-frequently-only-finds-out-how-really-beautiful-a-women-is-until/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“I'd rather be a nodding acquaintance, than a bobble head”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-stern/i-d-rather-be-a-nodding-acquaintance-than-a-bobble-head/) [Josh Stern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-stern/) > [In addition to my other numerous acquaintances, I have one more intimate confidant… My depression is the most faithful mistress I have known —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/in-addition-to-my-other-numerous-acquaintances-i-have-one-more/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [God is a spirit. Jesus was led up of the Spirit to be tempted of the Devil; and it is also true that spirits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-bradlaugh/god-is-a-spirit-jesus-was-led-up-of-the-spirit-to-be-tempted-of-the/) [Charles Bradlaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-bradlaugh/) > [ \[On an anarchist acquaintance:\] Everything in appearance the most alarmist aunt could wish. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-townsend-warner/on-an-anarchist-acquaintance-everything-in-appearance-the-most/) [Sylvia Townsend Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-townsend-warner/) > [There is no such thing as educational value in the abstract. The notion that some subjects and methods and that acquaintance with certain facts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/there-is-no-such-thing-as-educational-value-in-the-abstract-the/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [ \[Books\] will visit you at your convenience, whether you are lonesome or not, on rainy days or fair. They propose themselves as either transient… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clifton-fadiman/books-will-visit-you-at-your-convenience-whether-you-are-lonesome-or/) [Clifton Fadiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clifton-fadiman/) > [I'm not dating Prateik; he is just a good acquaintance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amyra-dastur/i-m-not-dating-prateik-he-is-just-a-good-acquaintance/) [Amyra Dastur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amyra-dastur/) > [Moderation is the inseparable companion of wisdom, but with it genius has not even a nodding acquaintance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-caleb-colton/moderation-is-the-inseparable-companion-of-wisdom-but-with-it-genius/) [Charles Caleb Colton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-caleb-colton/) > [The greatest embarrassment of my political career has been that active duties seem to deprive me of time for careful investigation. 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