Why learning more isn’t always better
When knowledge becomes a roadblock to success
Knowledge is power.
It’s a popular phrase — repeated from person to person with little consideration for its true meaning.
Though it’s often attributed to English philosopher Sir Francis Bacon, the expression’s earliest written occurrence appears in 10th-century Islamic literature.
In the Nahj Al-Balagha, Muhammad’s son-in-law, Imam Ali, defines power as authoritative influence:
“Knowledge is power and it can command obedience. A man of knowledge during his lifetime can make people obey and follow him and he is praised and venerated after his death.” — Saying 146
Visit any university campus and you’ll find hundreds of professors lecturing on everything from computer science to theoretical physics to demystifying the hipster — yes, that’s a real class.
Most academics have memorized significantly more information than the average person. Yet, for the most part, society doesn’t consider them to be especially “powerful.”
Obviously, the phrase has evolved to include “increased personal and professional…
