William Law, the Christian Chuang tzu

 When a right knowledge of ourselves enters into our minds, it makes as great a change in all our thoughts and apprehensions, as when we awake from the wanderings of a dream.

-- William Law 

Beware of sadness

 

 Such a wantwit sadness makes of me,

That I have much ado to know myself.

 

-- William Shakespeare, The Merchant of Venice, Act I, Scene 1

Know thy nullity

 

 

 Thou art not thyself,
For thou exists on many a thousand grains
That issue out of dust.     

-- William Shakespeare, Measure for Measure, Act 3, scene 1

He that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow

 Why did my parents send me to the schools,

That I with knowledge might enrich my mind?

Since the desire to know first made men fools,

And did corrupt the root of all mankind.

-- John Davies

Knowledge is made by oblivion

 

 

 

Knowledge is made by oblivion, and to purchase a clear and warrantable body of truth, we must forget and part with much we know.

-- Thomas Browne (1605-1682)

The old fool knows the world long in vain

Uncle Billy can't remember something important

 

 

What, start at this! when sixty years have spread

Their grey experience o'er thy hoary head?

Is this the all ... observing age could gain?

Or hast thou known the world so long in vain?

-- John Dryden

Does knowledge make one a "Christian", or obedience?

Michael Williams here:

The simple definition of the term Christian is a person who believes in the teachings of Jesus Christ. ... [H]ow can someone be like Christ if they do not know even the simplest things that the Bible teaches about Him? ... The point to be made is that teaching and learning about Christ is a central element to someone being a Christian.

Were the disciples knowledgeable about the teachings of Jesus when they left all and followed him? If not, how can it be said that they were his disciples even though they were not at all like him? The point to be made is that they were his followers not because they knew anything but because they obeyed him.

The gnosticism underlying fundamentalism: Correct knowledge is essential to salvation

Not just knowledge, but correct knowledge.

Michael Williams says so twice so you get it, here:

[N]early 95% of the people who claim to be a Christian cannot articulate or answer simple questions correctly about how they know they are saved. ... Nearly 95% of the people who claim to be a Christian cannot articulate or answer simple questions correctly about how they know they are saved. 

Philosophical Minds Always Love Knowledge Which Shows Them The Eternal Nature

"[H]e whose nature is amorous of anything cannot help loving all that belongs or is akin to the object of his affections."

-- Socrates, Republic, Book 6

"O" Casts a Shadow

 

 

But now these Epicures begin to smile,

And say, my doctrine is more safe than true;

And that I fondly do myself beguile,

While these receiv'd opinions I ensue.

-- John Davies