David Starr Jordan Quote - Liberty Quotes Blog

"Wisdom is knowing what to do next;
virtue is doing it."

by:	David Starr Jordan
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Categories:	Courage, Knowledge, Responsibility, Virtue
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Reader comments about this quote:

kinda half right, then goes down hill from there -- Mike, Norwalk
Spectacular quote, though I would say Wisdom is knowing what to do next and why. -- Justin, Elkland
Don't talk about it do it! Justin, the why is part of the wisdom -- RBESRQ
That cannot be denied. Without "doing it", Wisdom is a waste. Of course, there is right moment to do something... -- Elisabeth, Astoria, NY
Wisdom is acquired through parents, experience, reading, and learning from others mistakes. Virtue in "doing it" is nothing more than living up to personal responsibility. The quote is brief and probably could have benefited from some elaboration. -- Carol, Georgia
All I remember of Jordon was while at Stanford, he was instrumental in enlarging the concept of eugenics through out governmental policies. I see no virtue in doing forced selective breeding or elimination of undesirables (physical, intellectual, philosophical, etc.) in the human species. Can 'wisdom' really be defined as knowing what to do next when such action brings about the elimination of freedom, liberty, rights, and life itself. Jordon's life and application of the above quote is averse to the positive spin put on here by most comments. -- Mike, Norwalk
Wisdom may be knowing that one should do nothing and let things take there own course without your own meddling. How about Solomon for an example of wisdom. Mike is right about the guy being interested in eugenics, or selective human breeding. -- Waffler, Smith