--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: How terrible is wisdom, when it brings no…" description: "\"How terrible is wisdom, when it brings no profit to the man that's wise\" — Sophocles" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/sophocles-370_he-man_how-terrible-is-wisdom-when-it-brings-no_421265.png" --- # How terrible is wisdom, when it brings no profit to the… ![“How terrible is wisdom, when it brings no profit to the man that's wise” quote by Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/sophocles-370_he-man_how-terrible-is-wisdom-when-it-brings-no_421265.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/sophocles-370_he-man_how-terrible-is-wisdom-when-it-brings-no_421265.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9a2/sophocles-370_he-man_how-terrible-is-wisdom-when-it-brings-no_421265.png) > “How terrible is wisdom, when it brings no profit to the man that's wise” [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wisdom without practical benefit feels burdensome and meaningless. **In simple terms:** Useless wisdom is a burden. Key Takeaway Seek useful knowledge. Themes wisdom practicality value Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - career choices - financial planning - personal development - advice giving Key Concepts philosophy ethics human condition Questions to Reflect On - How do you measure the worth of knowledge? - When is wisdom worth pursuing alone? A Different Perspective Wisdom can be valuable even without profit. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Oedipus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oedipus/) [Profit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/profit/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise/) ## Related quotes > [“Alas, how terrible is wisdom when it brings no profit to the man that's wise! This I knew well, but had forgotten it, else…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/alas-how-terrible-is-wisdom-when-it-brings-no-profit-to-the-man-that/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“TEIRESIAS: Alas, how terrible is wisdom when it brings no profit to the man that's wise! 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To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manly-hall/much-has-been-said-of-the-loneliness-of-wisdom-and-how-much-the-truth/) [Manly Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manly-hall/) > [“All is best, though we oft doubt, what the unsearchable dispose, of highest wisdom brings about.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/all-is-best-though-we-oft-doubt-what-the-unsearchable-dispose-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [A man though wise, should never be ashamed of learning more, and must unbend his mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-man-though-wise-should-never-be-ashamed-of-learning-more-and-must/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“Intelligence brings light to your mind, understanding brings light to your heart, and wisdom brings light to your soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/intelligence-brings-light-to-your-mind-understanding-brings-light-to/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [We may think we live for wisdom, but in fact we're living for the the pleasure wisdom brings us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-skvorecky/we-may-think-we-live-for-wisdom-but-in-fact-we-re-living-for-the-the/) [Josef Skvorecky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-skvorecky/) ## More by Sophocles > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [God's dice always have a lucky roll.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/god-s-dice-always-have-a-lucky-roll/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A fool cannot be an actor, though an actor may act a fool's part.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-fool-cannot-be-an-actor-though-an-actor-may-act-a-fool-s-part/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Go then if you must, but remember, no matter how foolish your deeds, those who love you will love you still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/go-then-if-you-must-but-remember-no-matter-how-foolish-your-deeds/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Man's worst ill is stubbornness of heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/man-s-worst-ill-is-stubbornness-of-heart/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [A lie never lives to be old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/a-lie-never-lives-to-be-old/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [How dangerous can false reasoning prove!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/how-dangerous-can-false-reasoning-prove/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Why should man fear since chance is all in all for him, and he can clearly foreknow nothing? 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The cat often leaves the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-repplier/the-dog-is-guided-by-kindly-instinct-to-the-man-or-woman-whose-heart/) [Agnes Repplier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-repplier/) > [Happy (if mortals can be) is the man,Who, not by priest but Reason, rules his span:Reason, to its possessor a sure guide,Reason, a thorn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-chatterton/happy-if-mortals-can-be-is-the-man-who-not-by-priest-but-reason-rules/) [Thomas Chatterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-chatterton/) > [What does the future, that half of time, matter to the man who is infatuated with eternity?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emile-m-cioran/what-does-the-future-that-half-of-time-matter-to-the-man-who-is/) [Emile M. Cioran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emile-m-cioran/) > [It's woman's spirit and mood a man has to stimulate in order to make sex interesting. 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