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Essay on a Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing

There is no denying that knowledge is the greatest asset known to man. It is perhaps one of the fundamental elements to assess where he is at the moment. Throughout history, humanity has evolved, implementing the knowledge gained over the years. Initially, human beings were on par with other animals, when they started thinking about their surroundings, questioning everything, finding the answers to the unknown, getting a rational opinion and started thinking, they got differentiated from the rest. Hence, rational thought and the ability to think is what makes human beings stand out from the rest. From then, we never stopped our quest to answer the unknown things. 

However, little knowledge has proved to be dangerous for the entire humanity. Anyone with little knowledge poses a threat to the whole society as they believe that they know everything. But in reality, all we know is a minute part of the entire world.  Through this essay on a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, one can tread safely on the right path and not be tempted to walk in the wrong direction. 

A Long Essay  

One needs food to survive. Likewise, a man needs the right food for his brain to choose the right path with insightful thoughts. A man’s brain can not stay idle and also an empty brain is said to be the devil’s workshop. The thought of questioning and the quest for answers is what triggers new developments and inventions. It encourages us to expand our horizons.  A wise man is like a calm stream of water flowing to its destination peacefully. 

One can see what is beneath the water. It is like an open book that anybody can enter and gain knowledge and understanding. Wise people strife for the benefit of humanity and infuse positivity into society. We can observe this quality from great leaders, thinkers and philosophers like Buddha, Aristotle, Plato etc. Though they knew more than an average person, they never claimed that they knew everything. They were always excited about expanding their knowledge and were open to change.

He is not like a teacher with mediocre knowledge on a particular subject and learns to thrive on his understanding. It is a result of producing students who are ill-informed about the subject. 

The same can be said about an industrialist, who does not have proper knowledge of running a business. This will result in the business garnering colossal losses. A little knowledge is dangerous for an electrician who does not know how to differentiate between AC/DC connections. 

He is most likely to cause a massive accident and loss of life.  A doctor who does not have complete knowledge about a surgery or medical procedure might end up putting many lives in danger. A chef who does not know the entire process to cook a dish spoils the taste of it and brings a bad reputation to the restaurant. Even the common people, who do not know complete knowledge about their work, end up losing their job. When you decide your life, any choice without proper knowledge will only put you downhill. It is completely okay to make mistakes but, these mistakes should not be resulted from not having proper knowledge about the decision you make.

The real issue is not with the educational system, but with the individual's learning abilities and skills. A person with little knowledge tends to consider himself supreme to the one who knows more. He thinks that he knows everything and stops trying to be inquisitive. This will not only stop his mental growth but also leave him behind if he does not know what is happening around him. 

They think that they are better or wiser than others. These men promulgate their little knowledge and trumpet their beliefs to others based on their little learning of the subject. 

The paragraph on a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, helps one realize how in a world that is technology-driven, having little knowledge may not come in handy. One must have the zeal to keep updating themselves to be heard. 

The knowledge man wants to possess must take him on the right path. Because a person with little or less knowledge is like a frog in the well, ready to be devoured by its prey. One must take efforts to wake up and be accountable for the words spoken by them as they are accountable for them. 

For example, like drugs, it can save lives, but at the same, destroy lives when people become addicted to them. That is because little knowledge of medication is harmful. One must understand the side effects of the medications before consuming them. 

People who have little knowledge about a particular thing tend to act proud and knowledgeable, while not letting the wise open his mouth. This is a dangerous trend because the listeners are filled with the wrong facts and make a major blunder when they delve into it. 

Besides, when a fool talks, the prudent man prefers to stay quiet. These people do not realize that they are hiding behind a dark curtain, depriving them of learning facts. In reality, they lay confirmed to the darkness that so effortlessly bounds them for the rest of their lives. 

A Short Essay  

As comforting as it is to hear, thinking that one knows everything is the same as living in a fool's paradise. Being satisfied with the knowledge attained is nothing but sheer arrogance. It then leads to unwanted paths and eventually opens a Pandora's Box. 

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing; one learns that fools do not fear treading where knowledgeable don't want to walk upon. The pride of a man leads to his destruction. Sadly, he will not be the lone casualty. Instead, take with him countless innocent souls into the path of darkness. 

That is because words when spoken without based on facts or true knowledge can cause greater harm than good. They tend to create unwanted problems and controversies. So, one should stay away from such issues, by gaining true knowledge on the surrounding happenings. 

A sensible man knows how to complete the task on time. When we fail to realize, we fail for sure. 

Conclusion  

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Essay in English aims to enunciate the fact that little or more knowledge can be a dangerous path to tread on. So, one must see the truth and walk in the direction of that the truth shows you to and learn a thing to its fullest.

FAQs on A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing Essay

1. What does a Little Knowledge is a Dangerous thing Essay imply?

One must always strife to learn more about something in order to have the right knowledge. Having little knowledge is not dangerous, but one must not rely on their own perceptions. That is because it misleads the people in a completely wrong direction.

People with little knowledge on a particular concept or topic can be misleading. That is because they sputter nothing but fumes of destruction. It is like a surgeon who is not rightly qualified using the wrong equipment to perform a surgery.

2. In the Essay on a Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing, how much Knowledge is Sufficient?

Attaining too little or too much knowledge is always dangerous. It never has a good intention. Scientists know the destructive force of science when used in the wrong way. A person having complete knowledge on a particular subject or topic can deliver the goods effortlessly.

He can speak fearlessly because he knows what he is dealing with. Of course, one cannot master everything in life or become experts in all subjects. But, one has to make it a point to learn something completely before imparting knowledge to others.

3. Why is having little knowledge dangerous?

The essay “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” tells us that when a person has very little knowledge, people around him take advantage of him. Also, people with little knowledge feel pompous about them and think that they are superior to the people who have more knowledge. This makes them shut their doors close to the new things coming up around them. Having little knowledge in one’s profession will lead them downhill. For example, a doctor who does not know how to perform surgery properly might end up causing death. Similarly, a driver without complete knowledge about driving, local rules and regulations will cause loss to several people or end up paying huge fines. So, the essay tells us that one should have all the knowledge required to continue their chosen profession and also should have minimum knowledge about things happening in their surroundings.

4. How can we improve our knowledge?

Knowledge is one such thing that never ends. No matter how much we know about something, there is always at least a grain left. This is why many great thinkers and philosophers claim that they know only a minute part or sometimes nothing. Earlier, knowledge was gained from the teacher also known as the guru and it was passed on to the student also known as shisha. This knowledge was not only academic but also included life lessons. As the times changed, the particulars changed and many kings had patronized great thinkers in their courts. They obtained knowledge from the thinkers. Later, modern-day schools emerged to teach the students things needed to earn a livelihood and also taught some moral values and life lessons. We can gain knowledge irrespective of our age, place, time from books. They are an important source to look into the depths of any topic. As technology changes, we can also gain a lot of knowledge from the internet. However, there is a part of knowledge that has to be explored by oneself. This can be done when we start questioning things happening around us and also the unknown things that we encounter.

5. What is the gist of this essay “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing”?

The above article is an essay on  “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. It tells us how people with little knowledge overestimate themselves and feel that they know everything. But in reality, people who know more than these people remain silent about the knowledge they have accumulated but share their knowledge to the possible extent. The essay also tells us what are the ill effects when a professional does not know completely about his occupation and yet continues to practice it without trying to improve himself. In the last, the essay concludes by saying how it is important to develop inquisitiveness to gain more and more knowledge.

The Meaning and Origin of ‘A Little Learning is a Dangerous Thing’

In this week’s Dispatches from The Secret Library , Dr Oliver Tearle explores the origins of a famous quotation – and its less famous source

‘A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.’ This line is often quoted, but it’s actually, technically, a misquotation. What’s more, the meaning of this aperçu is worth analysing more closely, because it is open to misinterpretation as well as misquotation. Let’s take a look at the origins of ‘a little knowledge is a dangerous thing’ – or, more accurately, ‘a little learning is a dangerous thing’.

The source and origin for this quotation is Alexander Pope (1688-1744), one of the leading neoclassical or Augustan poets of the first half of the eighteenth century. Pope was a fascinating figure: as a young boy he was expelled from Twyford School for writing a satire about one of his teachers, and he continued to lose friends and create enemies through not being afraid to speak out and criticise those with whom he disagreed. (For a time, while fearing attacks from especially vicious rivals, Pope rarely left his house without a brace of pistols and his dog, a Great Dane named Bounce.)

Sadly, outside of academia, few people read Pope now because he is perceived as dry and emotionless (and therefore dull), and even in the late nineteenth century, his fellow master of the one-liner, Oscar Wilde, was quipping, ‘There are two ways of disliking poetry. One way is to dislike it, and the other is to read Pope.’

Pope’s poem ‘An Essay on Criticism’ gave us not only ‘A little learning is a dangerous thing’ but also ‘ To err is human; to forgive, divine ’ and ‘ For fools rush in where angels fear to tread .’ Given how proverbial all three of this statements have now become, that’s a pretty impressive hit rate for a single poem – and, what’s more, one written when its author was still only 23!

A little learning is a dang’rous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again. Fir’d at first sight with what the Muse imparts, In fearless youth we tempt the heights of arts, While from the bounded level of our mind, Short views we take, nor see the lengths behind, But more advanc’d, behold with strange surprise New, distant scenes of endless science rise!

As the title of Pope’s poem, ‘An Essay on Criticism’, makes clear, Pope is specifically advising critics – especially literary critics – when he opines, ‘A little learning is a dang’rous thing’ (the elision in ‘dang’rous’, to indicate that the word should be pronounced as two syllables rather than three to keep with the iambic pentameter metre, is not often preserved when people quote Pope in their writing).

The Pierian Spring in Macedonia was sacred to the Muses, so in order to ‘taste the Pierian spring’ the critic (and poet?) needs to ‘drink deep’, i.e., read widely. A little learning is a dangerous thing because it can lead the critic to think they know it all when they, in fact, know very little. A little learning is more dangerous than complete ignorance, because it gives you the illusion of knowledge when you, in fact, have only cursory knowledge of the subject:

There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again.

In other words, drinking only shallowly from the spring will make you drunk with your own knowledge, but drinking deeply or ‘largely’ brings you back to reality so you have a fairer and more accurate assessment of what you do and don’t know. So it is with learning: the more we learn, as the old adage has it, the less we know.

Pope, as a classicist, would have been familiar with the Delphic Oracle of Ancient Greece, who, asked to name who the wisest person in Athens was, proclaimed that it was Socrates, ‘for he alone is aware that he knows nothing’.

Pope, then, isn’t claiming that learning in itself is dangerous: but a little (as contrasted with a great deal ) is. Anyone who’s found themselves collared by the pub bore or in an argument on social media over some historical, scientific, or even literary topic will probably be able to attest to that.

Pope’s ‘An Essay on Criticism’ is, as I say, a didactic and discursive poem recommending good things for a critic to do. Much of his advice, though, can be extrapolated beyond the realm of literary critics and reviewers of poetry. Good taste and knowing one’s own limitations, for instance, are universal rules to live by, and poets as well as critics would do well to heed them.

So in many ways, ‘A little learning is a dangerous thing’ (or ‘dang’rous thing’) is a line that nearly encapsulates Pope’s argument in ‘An Essay on Criticism’. More mischief is arguably caused by those who think they know it all than those who know they know nothing.

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4 thoughts on “The Meaning and Origin of ‘A Little Learning is a Dangerous Thing’”

• Pingback: A Little Learning is a Dangerous Thing – Education Technology

Thank you very much for this very interesting post. I hadn’t given much thought to the phrase “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” as being a quote from a poem that had passed into common speech as a proverb until I spotted it in The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations. I enjoyed how you expanded or little bit of knowledge with very interesting facts about the author and his life. The information in this snippet is much more engaging than what I read in The Oxford Book of Quotations – which merely gives you the name of the author and sometimes a bit more of the text from which the quote was taken.

• Pingback: ‘Fools Rush in Where Angels Fear to Tread’: Meaning and Origin – Interesting Literature
• Pingback: A Little Learning is a Dangerous Thing – EducatorsEdge

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An Essay on Criticism Summary & Analysis by Alexander Pope

• Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis
• Poetic Devices
• Vocabulary & References
• Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme
• Line-by-Line Explanations

Alexander Pope's "An Essay on Criticism" seeks to lay down rules of good taste in poetry criticism, and in poetry itself. Structured as an essay in rhyming verse, it offers advice to the aspiring critic while satirizing amateurish criticism and poetry. The famous passage beginning "A little learning is a dangerous thing" advises would-be critics to learn their field in depth, warning that the arts demand much longer and more arduous study than beginners expect. The passage can also be read as a warning against shallow learning in general. Published in 1711, when Alexander Pope was just 23, the "Essay" brought its author fame and notoriety while he was still a young poet himself.

• Read the full text of “From An Essay on Criticism: A little learning is a dangerous thing”

The Full Text of “From An Essay on Criticism: A little learning is a dangerous thing”

1 A little learning is a dangerous thing;

2 Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring:

3 There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain,

4 And drinking largely sobers us again.

5 Fired at first sight with what the Muse imparts,

6 In fearless youth we tempt the heights of Arts,

7 While from the bounded level of our mind,

8 Short views we take, nor see the lengths behind,

9 But, more advanced, behold with strange surprise

10 New, distant scenes of endless science rise!

11 So pleased at first, the towering Alps we try,

12 Mount o'er the vales, and seem to tread the sky;

13 The eternal snows appear already past,

14 And the first clouds and mountains seem the last;

15 But those attained, we tremble to survey

16 The growing labours of the lengthened way,

17 The increasing prospect tires our wandering eyes,

18 Hills peep o'er hills, and Alps on Alps arise!

“From An Essay on Criticism: A little learning is a dangerous thing” Summary

“from an essay on criticism: a little learning is a dangerous thing” themes.

Shallow Learning vs. Deep Understanding

• See where this theme is active in the poem.

Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis of “From An Essay on Criticism: A little learning is a dangerous thing”

A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again.

Fired at first sight with what the Muse imparts, In fearless youth we tempt the heights of Arts, While from the bounded level of our mind, Short views we take, nor see the lengths behind,

But, more advanced, behold with strange surprise New, distant scenes of endless science rise!

Lines 11-14

So pleased at first, the towering Alps we try, Mount o'er the vales, and seem to tread the sky; The eternal snows appear already past, And the first clouds and mountains seem the last;

Lines 15-18

But those attained, we tremble to survey The growing labours of the lengthened way, The increasing prospect tires our wandering eyes, Hills peep o'er hills, and Alps on Alps arise!

“From An Essay on Criticism: A little learning is a dangerous thing” Symbols

The Mountains/Alps

• See where this symbol appears in the poem.

“From An Essay on Criticism: A little learning is a dangerous thing” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

Alliteration.

• See where this poetic device appears in the poem.

Extended Metaphor

“from an essay on criticism: a little learning is a dangerous thing” vocabulary.

Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.

• A little learning
• Pierian spring
• Bounded level
• Short views
• The lengthened way
• See where this vocabulary word appears in the poem.

Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “From An Essay on Criticism: A little learning is a dangerous thing”

Rhyme scheme, “from an essay on criticism: a little learning is a dangerous thing” speaker, “from an essay on criticism: a little learning is a dangerous thing” setting, literary and historical context of “from an essay on criticism: a little learning is a dangerous thing”, more “from an essay on criticism: a little learning is a dangerous thing” resources, external resources.

The Poem Aloud — Listen to an audiobook of Pope's "Essay on Criticism" (the "A little learning" passage starts at 12:57).

The Poet's Life — Read a biography of Alexander Pope at the Poetry Foundation.

"Alexander Pope: Rediscovering a Genius" — Watch a BBC documentary on Alexander Pope.

More on Pope's Life — A summary of Pope's life and work at Poets.org.

Pope at the British Library — More resources and articles on the poet.

LitCharts on Other Poems by Alexander Pope

Ode on Solitude

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Essay Curve

Essay on A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing

Essay on A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing: In the world of knowledge and learning, the age-old adage “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing” holds true. This essay delves into the implications of having limited understanding or incomplete information on a subject. It explores how a superficial grasp of a topic can lead to misguided decisions, false beliefs, and potentially harmful consequences. Through examples and analysis, we will examine the importance of seeking comprehensive knowledge and the dangers of relying on partial understanding.

Table of Contents

A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing Essay Writing Tips

1. Start by introducing the topic and providing a brief explanation of the saying “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” This will help set the context for your essay and give readers a better understanding of what you will be discussing.

2. Provide examples to illustrate the concept of how a little knowledge can be dangerous. This could include real-life examples, historical events, or personal anecdotes that demonstrate the negative consequences of having limited or incomplete information.

3. Discuss the importance of seeking out and acquiring more knowledge to avoid the pitfalls of ignorance. Explain how ignorance can lead to misunderstandings, mistakes, and even harm to oneself or others.

4. Explore the idea that having a little knowledge can sometimes lead to overconfidence or arrogance. People may think they know enough to make decisions or take actions, but in reality, their limited understanding can have serious consequences.

5. Consider the role of critical thinking and skepticism in evaluating information and avoiding the dangers of having only a superficial understanding of a topic. Encourage readers to question assumptions, seek out multiple perspectives, and continue learning to deepen their knowledge.

6. Address the potential benefits of having a little knowledge, such as sparking curiosity, inspiring further exploration, or serving as a starting point for learning. Acknowledge that having some knowledge is better than none, but caution against relying solely on a small amount of information.

7. Offer suggestions for how to expand one’s knowledge and avoid the dangers of having only a little knowledge. This could include reading widely, seeking out experts or mentors, taking courses or workshops, or engaging in discussions with others to learn from their perspectives.

8. Conclude by summarizing your main points and emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and critical thinking in a world where information is constantly changing and evolving. Encourage readers to be open-minded, humble, and curious in their pursuit of knowledge to avoid the pitfalls of ignorance and limited understanding.

By following these tips and structuring your essay in a clear and logical manner, you can effectively explore the theme of “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” and provide valuable insights for your readers.

Essay on A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing in 10 Lines – Examples

1. The phrase “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” means that having a small amount of knowledge on a subject can lead to overconfidence and mistakes. 2. It suggests that someone who has only a superficial understanding of a topic may not realize the complexity and nuances involved. 3. This can result in them making incorrect assumptions or decisions based on incomplete information. 4. People who think they know more than they actually do may be unwilling to seek out additional information or advice. 5. This can lead to errors in judgment, poor decision-making, and potentially harmful consequences. 6. It highlights the importance of humility and recognizing the limits of one’s knowledge. 7. It serves as a cautionary reminder to always seek to deepen one’s understanding and expertise in a subject. 8. The phrase has been attributed to various writers and thinkers throughout history, including Alexander Pope and Albert Einstein. 9. It is often used to warn against the dangers of arrogance and ignorance. 10. Ultimately, it emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and self-awareness in order to avoid the pitfalls of overestimating one’s own knowledge.

Sample Essay on A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing in 100-180 Words

A little knowledge can indeed be a dangerous thing. When someone has only a limited understanding of a topic, they may feel confident in their knowledge and make decisions based on that incomplete information. This can lead to mistakes, misunderstandings, and even harm to themselves or others.

For example, someone who knows a little bit about medicine may try to diagnose and treat themselves or others without consulting a professional, leading to incorrect treatment and potentially worsening the situation. Similarly, someone with a basic understanding of a complex issue like climate change may spread misinformation or make uninformed decisions that have negative consequences.

It is important to recognize the limitations of our knowledge and seek out more information and expertise when needed. Only with a comprehensive understanding of a topic can we make informed decisions and avoid the dangers of acting on incomplete knowledge.

Short Essay on A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing in 200-500 Words

“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” is a well-known proverb that highlights the potential dangers of having limited knowledge or understanding of a subject. This saying suggests that having only a superficial understanding of a topic can lead to misguided decisions, false confidence, and ultimately, negative consequences.

One of the main reasons why a little knowledge can be dangerous is that it can lead to overconfidence. When someone has a basic understanding of a subject, they may mistakenly believe that they know enough to make informed decisions or judgments. This false sense of confidence can lead to risky behavior or actions that can have serious repercussions. For example, someone who has only a rudimentary understanding of financial markets may think they can successfully invest in stocks without fully understanding the risks involved, leading to financial losses.

Furthermore, having limited knowledge can also lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations. Without a comprehensive understanding of a topic, individuals may misinterpret information or draw incorrect conclusions. This can result in spreading misinformation, making poor decisions, or causing harm to themselves or others. For instance, someone who has only a basic understanding of a medical condition may give incorrect advice or treatment, potentially worsening the situation for the affected individual.

Moreover, a little knowledge can also prevent individuals from seeking out additional information or learning more about a subject. When someone believes they already know enough about a topic, they may be less inclined to further educate themselves or seek out expert opinions. This can limit their growth and development, as well as hinder their ability to make well-informed decisions in the future.

In conclusion, the proverb “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing” serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with having limited understanding of a subject. Overconfidence, misunderstandings, and a lack of curiosity can all stem from having only a superficial knowledge of a topic. It is important to recognize the limitations of our knowledge and continuously seek out opportunities to learn and expand our understanding. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of ignorance and make better-informed decisions in all aspects of our lives.

Essay on A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing in 1000-1500 Words

A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing

Knowledge is often considered a valuable asset that can empower individuals, enhance their understanding of the world, and enable them to make informed decisions. However, the proverb “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing” suggests that having only a superficial or limited understanding of a subject can lead to misguided actions and harmful consequences. This essay will explore the meaning of this proverb, its implications in various contexts, and the importance of acquiring a comprehensive understanding of a subject before drawing conclusions or taking action.

The proverb “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing” is believed to have originated from Alexander Pope’s poem “An Essay on Criticism” in the 18th century. In this poem, Pope warns against the dangers of having a shallow understanding of a subject, particularly in the context of literary criticism. He argues that individuals who possess only a superficial knowledge of a topic may be inclined to make hasty judgments or offer misguided opinions, which can have negative repercussions.

The essence of this proverb lies in the idea that partial or incomplete knowledge can be more harmful than ignorance itself. When individuals have a limited understanding of a subject, they may overestimate their expertise and confidence, leading them to make decisions or take actions based on flawed assumptions or misconceptions. This can result in unintended consequences, misunderstandings, or even harm to themselves or others.

One example of the dangers of having a little knowledge can be seen in the field of medicine. Imagine a person who reads a few articles online about a particular medical condition and believes they have enough knowledge to self-diagnose and treat themselves. Without consulting a qualified healthcare professional or conducting thorough research, this individual may end up misdiagnosing their condition, choosing the wrong treatment, or exacerbating their symptoms. In this case, a little knowledge can indeed be a dangerous thing, as it can lead to serious health risks and complications.

Similarly, in the realm of politics and public policy, having a superficial understanding of complex issues can have far-reaching consequences. When individuals rely on biased sources of information or engage in echo chambers that reinforce their existing beliefs, they may develop a distorted view of reality and make ill-informed decisions. This can contribute to polarization, misinformation, and the perpetuation of harmful ideologies that undermine democracy and social cohesion.

Moreover, the proverb “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing” is relevant in the context of technology and cybersecurity. With the increasing reliance on digital devices and online platforms, individuals are exposed to a myriad of threats such as phishing scams, malware attacks, and data breaches. If users have only a basic understanding of cybersecurity best practices or fail to update their software regularly, they may inadvertently compromise their personal information or fall victim to cybercriminals. In this scenario, a little knowledge can be detrimental, as it exposes individuals to significant risks in an interconnected and vulnerable digital landscape.

In the realm of education, the proverb “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing” underscores the importance of critical thinking, intellectual humility, and lifelong learning. Students who approach their studies with a sense of curiosity and open-mindedness are more likely to engage with complex ideas, challenge their assumptions, and seek out diverse perspectives. By embracing a growth mindset and acknowledging the limitations of their knowledge, learners can cultivate a deeper understanding of the world and develop the skills necessary to navigate uncertainty and ambiguity.

Furthermore, the concept of “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing” can be applied to interpersonal relationships and communication. When individuals engage in conversations without listening attentively, seeking clarification, or considering alternative viewpoints, they may jump to conclusions, make unfounded assumptions, or escalate conflicts unnecessarily. By practicing active listening, empathy, and effective communication skills, people can avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and foster meaningful connections with others.

In conclusion, the proverb “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing” serves as a cautionary reminder of the risks associated with having a superficial or incomplete understanding of a subject. Whether in the fields of medicine, politics, technology, education, or interpersonal relationships, individuals must strive to acquire a comprehensive knowledge base, engage critically with information, and approach complex issues with humility and curiosity. By recognizing the limitations of their expertise and embracing a lifelong learning mindset, people can navigate the complexities of the world with wisdom, discernment, and integrity. As the saying goes, “knowledge is power,” but only when it is accompanied by humility, diligence, and a commitment to continuous growth.

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Essay on A Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing

Students are often asked to write an essay on A Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on A Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing

Understanding the phrase.

The phrase “A Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing” means that a small amount of knowledge can mislead people into thinking they are more expert than they really are. This can lead to mistakes and misunderstandings.

Examples in Real Life

For example, a person who knows a little about medicine might try to diagnose a serious illness, potentially causing harm. Similarly, someone with basic knowledge of a language might misunderstand important information.

The Importance of Complete Knowledge

Therefore, it’s crucial to seek complete knowledge. Half-knowledge can be more harmful than ignorance. So, always strive to learn fully and understand deeply.

250 Words Essay on A Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing

Introduction.

The axiom “A Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing” implies that superficial understanding can lead to overconfidence, resulting in detrimental outcomes. This phrase, often attributed to Alexander Pope, serves as a caution against the perils of incomplete learning.

The Danger of Partial Knowledge

Implications in the digital age.

In today’s digital age, the phrase has gained more relevance. The internet, while a repository of vast information, often serves bite-sized, decontextualized facts. This partial information can foster a false sense of expertise, making individuals prone to misinformation and manipulation.

In conclusion, while knowledge is empowering, it is crucial to recognize the limitations and potential dangers of incomplete understanding. Pursuing comprehensive learning, questioning our assumptions, and maintaining intellectual humility can help mitigate the risks associated with “a little knowledge.”

500 Words Essay on A Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing

The aphorism, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing,” is a profound observation that underscores the potential perils of superficial understanding. At its core, it suggests that possessing partial or incomplete knowledge can lead to misconceptions and erroneous decisions, which can have detrimental consequences. This essay will delve deeper into this concept, exploring its implications in various aspects of our lives.

The Peril of Incomplete Understanding

The primary danger of limited knowledge lies in the false sense of confidence it often engenders. When individuals possess a smattering of information about a subject, they may believe they have a comprehensive understanding, leading to overconfidence. This overconfidence can result in misguided actions, as the individual may not fully comprehend the complexities or nuances of the subject at hand. For instance, a person with rudimentary knowledge about investing may risk their savings in the stock market, without understanding its volatility and unpredictability.

The Role of Context in Knowledge

A little knowledge can be misleading because it often lacks the necessary context. Knowledge is not simply an accumulation of facts, but rather an intricate web of interconnected ideas. Without a holistic understanding of a subject, it’s easy to misinterpret or misuse information. For instance, a person with a basic understanding of a complex scientific theory might misapply it in practical situations, leading to faulty conclusions and potentially harmful outcomes.

The Social Implications of Partial Knowledge

The importance of lifelong learning.

The solution to the dangers of little knowledge is a commitment to lifelong learning. Rather than settling for a superficial understanding of a subject, individuals should strive to deepen their knowledge and continually question their assumptions. This involves critical thinking, open-mindedness, and a willingness to acknowledge the limits of one’s understanding. By embracing the complexity of knowledge and recognizing that there is always more to learn, we can mitigate the dangers of partial knowledge.

In conclusion, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of thorough understanding. Limited knowledge can lead to overconfidence, misinterpretations, and misinformation, all of which can have serious consequences. By fostering a culture of lifelong learning, we can recognize the limitations of our knowledge, strive for a deeper understanding, and navigate the world with a more informed perspective.

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A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing Essay | Essay on A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing for Students and Children in English

February 14, 2024 by sastry

A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing Essay: Knowledge is the foremost tool of empowerment. It is the key to success in life. Knowledge, along with the power to think and analyse, differentiates men from animals. The great scientist, Newton had observed, that knowledge is extensive. It’s true that one can’t master everything in the world. However, learning something incompletely can prove dangerous in the long run.

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Long Essay on A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing 500 Words in English

Below we have given a long essay on A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing of 500 words is helpful for classes 7, 8, 9 and 10 and Competitive Exam Aspirants. This long essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 7 to class 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants.

The origin of the proverb could be traced to a composition by Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism. But, he used the word ‘learning’ instead of ‘knowledge’. The purport, according to Pope was that people who did not know much, thought that they knew everything.

Be it any stream of knowledge or any part of wisdom, an indepth knowledge of it is necessary in order to be able to formulate an opinion or develop a line of thought. Whether it is art, science, literature, politics, technology, communication, astronomy, computers, economics, administration, law, etc., or whether it is simply about life in general, one has to have great, deep and wide knowledge about it in order to be able to speak about it—for or against. This is necessarily, needed and demanded especially in today’s world where opinions are challenged and words have to pay a price.

An ill-informed soldier will get himself foolishly killed if he has no knowledge of war strategies or else will even more foolishly kill his own comrades. A teacher will instill absurd knowledge and inverted concepts if he has no real learning himself. An industrialist will ruin his own fortune as well as that of the others if he has no true knowledge about his own business. A lawyer will ruin his clients fate without thorough knowledge of law and legality. A dumb engineer’s bridge is sure to collapse and God save a patient from a dumber doctor.

Therefore, it is always very dangerous to rely on such half-knowledge. It is rather better to have no knowledge and learning than to prove to be a fool with an incomplete one. Wise people are usually quiet when fools talk. And it is this blindness of fools to their own lack of knowledge which lets them remain in their benighted condition for the rest of their lives. They are blind to their follies and rather cover them up with their superficial learning and hence close all doors for further learning and advancement. A wise person is also fully informed about his own ignorance so that he can shovel away the cobwebs of his ignorance and enlighten himself with the weapon of knowledge. (People with real wisdom are like those trees over-laden with fruit which appears to be bending low so that everyone can enjoy their blessed fruits. It is the man of little learning who is haughty and self-conceited, standing erect like a dry and rotten tree which breaks but does not bend, hence, in turn, loses its very own existence.)

In this era of expert knowledge, a little knowledge of the world stands nowhere. One has to keep oneself updated in order to be somewhere in this world. Moreover, where every word spoken is accountable and is scrutinised closely one cannot get away with sweeping statements which in reality conceal shallow knowledge. It has been proved many a times that words spoken without any real knowledge and statements given without true understanding have often created trouble and controversy.

Words uttered thoughtlessly have created mess which is cleared often by apologies. Thus, if one wants to stay away from troubles one has to learn to be aware of one’s own world around and continuously gather knowledge as readily as children enjoy gathering flowers in a garden during spring time.

“Learning is a life-long process”.

There is no upper age limit for learning. However, whatever one starts learning, must be taken to its completion. In this fast-paced life, everybody is busy gathering bits and pieces of information from wherever possible. However, a complete hold on any particular area is lacking. Therefore we must be patient enough to gain expertise in our chosen field before shifting to another. Youngsters must be taught to test their ‘knowledge’ only when they are sure that it won’t harm them or others.

We must follow the middle path. Neither should we be content with less knowledge nor should go overboard as we learn. Knowledge teaches us to be humble and compassionate. Only this can maintain order and harmony in society.

A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing Essay Word Meanings for Simple Understanding

• Purport – intention, purpose
• Comrades – companion, friend, partner
• Absurd – utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue, contrary to all reason or common sense
• Inverted – to reverse the position, order, or condition of
• Benighted – uncivilised, backward
• Shovel – move, shift
• Cobwebs – Confusion; disorder
• Haughty – disdainfully proud, snobbish, arrogant
• Self-conceited – characteristic of false pride, having an exaggerated sense of self-importance
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A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

What's the meaning of the phrase 'a little knowledge is a dangerous thing'.

The proverb ‘A little knowledge is a dangerous thing’ expresses the idea that a small amount of knowledge can mislead people into thinking that they are more expert than they really are, which can lead to mistakes being made.

What's the origin of the phrase 'A little knowledge is a dangerous thing'?

‘A little knowledge is a dangerous thing’ and ‘a little learning is a dangerous thing’ have been used synonymously since the 18th century.

A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again.

The similarity of the two phrases is demonstrated by what appears to be an impromptu coining of ‘a little knowledge is a dangerous thing’ in a piece in The monthly miscellany; or Gentleman and Lady’s Complete Magazine, Vol II , 1774, in which the writer misquoted Pope:

Mr. Pope says, very truly, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.”

“Twas well observed by my Lord Bacon, That a little knowledge is apt to puff up, and make men giddy, but a greater share of it will set them right, and bring them to low and humble thoughts of themselves.

Again, there is a degree of misquotation here. ‘My Lord Bacon’ was the English politician and philosopher Francis Bacon, Viscount St Alban, and what he actually said, in his The Essays: Of Atheism , 1601, was:

“A little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion.”

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Terry Pratchett: 'They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.'

They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.

The quote by Terry Pratchett, "They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it's not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance," holds a profound meaning that highlights the importance of seeking knowledge and understanding rather than remaining in a state of ignorance. In a straightforward interpretation, this quote suggests that having a small amount of knowledge, while potentially misleading or misguided, is still better than being completely ignorant.Ignorance is often seen as a lack of knowledge or awareness about a particular subject or fact. It can lead to misunderstandings, prejudices, and irrational beliefs. On the other hand, having a little knowledge can sometimes be problematic because it can give a false sense of understanding, leading to overconfidence and potentially harmful actions.However, what makes this quote truly thought-provoking is its implicit comparison between a little knowledge and a lot of ignorance. It challenges the widely accepted notion that knowledge is always superior to ignorance. Pratchett suggests that a vast amount of ignorance can be more detrimental than having only a limited understanding of a subject. This unexpected philosophical concept invites us to delve deeper into the nuances of knowledge and ignorance.To explore this further, let's consider a metaphorical scenario. Imagine you are in a dark room with a small candle illuminating just a portion of the space. While the candle's light may be limited, it provides enough visibility to navigate around the room cautiously and avoid potential obstacles. This can be compared to having a little knowledge. We may not have a complete understanding of a situation, but the little knowledge we possess can help us make informed decisions and prevent us from stumbling into the unknown.On the other hand, imagine being in the same room, but this time it is pitch black with no source of light whatsoever. In such a situation, even with no knowledge of the objects or obstacles around us, we can realize the dangers of moving aimlessly. This significant ignorance poses a greater risk as it leaves us vulnerable and unaware of potential harm.Drawing from this metaphor, we can comprehend Pratchett's underlying message. While a little knowledge may have its limitations, it can still provide us with enough insight to make cautious choices and avoid ignorance-driven harm. In contrast, a vast amount of ignorance leaves us in a state of helplessness, making it far more perilous.The importance of this quote lies in its reminder that pursuing knowledge is crucial for personal growth and societal progression. It encourages us to embrace learning, seek out new information, and challenge our existing beliefs. It emphasizes that even a limited understanding is a starting point, a stepping stone towards greater knowledge.Moreover, this quote serves as a reminder not to succumb to the perils of ignorance. It urges us to approach life with an open mind and strive to expand our knowledge, rather than remain complacent and stagnant. Pratchett's words encourage us to engage in critical thinking, question assumptions, and broaden our perspectives.In conclusion, Terry Pratchett's quote beautifully encapsulates the importance of knowledge while also shedding light on the dangers of ignorance. It challenges the notion that some knowledge, however limited, is inherently dangerous, suggesting that it is far more harmful to remain ignorant. By embracing a little knowledge, we can illuminate our path toward further understanding. Therefore, let us foster a thirst for knowledge and continuously strive to expand our minds, for it is through knowledge that we can overcome the pitfalls of ignorance and create a brighter future.

Terry Pratchett: 'Most gods throw dice, but Fate plays chess, and you don't find out til too late that he's been playing with two queens all along.'

Terry pratchett: 'the pen is mightier than the sword if the sword is very short, and the pen is very sharp.'.

A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing

Meaning of “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing”, origin of “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing”, examples in literature.

A little learning is a dangerous thing ; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring : There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again. Fired at first sight with what the Muse imparts, In fearless youth we tempt the heights of Arts ; While from the bounded level of our mind Short views we take, nor see the lengths behind, But, more advanced, behold with strange surprise New distant scenes of endless science rise ! So pleased at first the towering Alps we try, Mount o’er the vales, and seem to tread the sky ; The eternal snows appear already past, And the first clouds and mountains seem the last ; But those attained, we tremble to survey The growing labours of the lengthened way ; The increasing prospect tires our wandering eyes, Hills peep o’er hills, and Alps on Alps arise !

I always knew just what to do Till I met you now nothing is certain You offered me food from the tree Just like a story of Adam and Eve A perfect love is all that I was living for ( All of a sudden life was turning upside down) She came near, she whispered in my ear, She seems to know the reason why….she said Chorus A little knowledge is a dangerous thing (yeaah!) A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, baby

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Poems & Poets

An Essay on Criticism

BY Alexander Pope

Introduction

Alexander Pope, a translator, poet, wit, amateur landscape gardener, and satirist, was born in London in 1688. He contracted tuberculosis of the bone when he was young, which disfigured his spine and purportedly only allowed him to grow to 4 feet, 6 inches. Pope grew up on his father’s property at Binfield in Windsor Forest, where he read avidly and gained an appreciation for the natural world. Though he remained in ill health throughout his life, he was able to support himself as a translator and writer. As a Catholic at that time in Britain, he was ineligible for patronage, public office, or a position at a university.   A sharp-penned satirist of public figures and their behavior, Pope had his supporters and detractors. He was friends with Jonathan Swift, Dr. John Arbuthnot, and John Gay. Pope’s poems include the “Epistle to Dr. Arbuthnot” and the mock epic “The Rape of the Lock.” To read his work is to be exposed to the order and wit of the 18th century poetry that preceded the Romantic poets. Pope primarily used the heroic couplet, and his lines are immensely quotable; from “An Essay on Criticism” come famous phrases such as “To err is human; to forgive, divine,” “A little learning is a dang’rous thing,” and “For fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”   After 1718 Pope lived on his five-acre property at Twickenham by the Thames. He cultivated a much-visited garden that contained a grotto, and featured the formal characteristics of a French garden and the newer more natural “English” landscape style.   Pope wrote “An Essay on Criticism” when he was 23; he was influenced by Quintillian, Aristotle, Horace’s Ars Poetica , and Nicolas Boileau’s L’Art Poëtique . Written in heroic couplets, the tone is straight-forward and conversational. It is a discussion of what good critics should do; however, in reading it one gleans much wisdom on the qualities poets should strive for in their own work. In Part I of “An Essay on Criticism,” Pope notes the lack of “true taste” in critics, stating: “’Tis with our judgments as our watches, none / Go just alike, yet each believes his own.” Pope advocates knowing one’s own artistic limits: “Launch not beyond your depth, but be discreet, / And mark that point where sense and dullness meet.” He stresses the order in nature and the value of the work of the “Ancients” of Greece, but also states that not all good work can be explained by rules: “Some beauties yet, no precepts can declare, / For there’s a happiness as well as care.”   In Part II, Pope lists the mistakes that critics make, as well as the defects in poems that some critics short-sightedly praise. He advocates looking at a whole piece of work, instead of being swayed by some of its showier or faulty parts: “As men of breeding, sometimes men of wit, / T’ avoid great errors, must the less commit.” He advises against too much ornamentation in writing, and against fancy style that communicates little of merit. In his description of versification, his lines enact the effects of clumsy writing: “And ten low words oft creep in one dull line,” and “A needless Alexandrine ends the song, / That, like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along.” In Part III, Pope discusses what critics should do, holding up the “Ancients” as models, including Aristotle (the “Stagirite”) who was respected by the lawless poets: “Poets, a race long unconfin’d and free, / Still fond and proud of savage liberty, / Receiv’d his laws; and stood convinc’d ‘twas fit, / Who conquer’d nature, should preside o’er wit.”

'Tis hard to say, if greater want of skill Appear in writing or in judging ill; But, of the two, less dang'rous is th' offence To tire our patience, than mislead our sense. Some few in that, but numbers err in this, Ten censure wrong for one who writes amiss; A fool might once himself alone expose, Now one in verse makes many more in prose.        'Tis with our judgments as our watches, none Go just alike, yet each believes his own. In poets as true genius is but rare, True taste as seldom is the critic's share; Both must alike from Heav'n derive their light, These born to judge, as well as those to write. Let such teach others who themselves excel, And censure freely who have written well. Authors are partial to their wit, 'tis true, But are not critics to their judgment too?        Yet if we look more closely we shall find Most have the seeds of judgment in their mind; Nature affords at least a glimm'ring light; The lines, tho' touch'd but faintly, are drawn right. But as the slightest sketch, if justly trac'd, Is by ill colouring but the more disgrac'd, So by false learning is good sense defac'd; Some are bewilder'd in the maze of schools, And some made coxcombs Nature meant but fools. In search of wit these lose their common sense, And then turn critics in their own defence: Each burns alike, who can, or cannot write, Or with a rival's, or an eunuch's spite. All fools have still an itching to deride, And fain would be upon the laughing side. If Mævius scribble in Apollo's spite, There are, who judge still worse than he can write.        Some have at first for wits, then poets pass'd, Turn'd critics next, and prov'd plain fools at last; Some neither can for wits nor critics pass, As heavy mules are neither horse nor ass. Those half-learn'd witlings, num'rous in our isle As half-form'd insects on the banks of Nile; Unfinish'd things, one knows not what to call, Their generation's so equivocal: To tell 'em, would a hundred tongues require, Or one vain wit's, that might a hundred tire.        But you who seek to give and merit fame, And justly bear a critic's noble name, Be sure your self and your own reach to know, How far your genius, taste, and learning go; Launch not beyond your depth, but be discreet, And mark that point where sense and dulness meet.        Nature to all things fix'd the limits fit, And wisely curb'd proud man's pretending wit: As on the land while here the ocean gains, In other parts it leaves wide sandy plains; Thus in the soul while memory prevails, The solid pow'r of understanding fails; Where beams of warm imagination play, The memory's soft figures melt away. One science only will one genius fit; So vast is art, so narrow human wit: Not only bounded to peculiar arts, But oft in those, confin'd to single parts. Like kings we lose the conquests gain'd before, By vain ambition still to make them more; Each might his sev'ral province well command, Would all but stoop to what they understand.        First follow NATURE, and your judgment frame By her just standard, which is still the same: Unerring Nature, still divinely bright, One clear, unchang'd, and universal light, Life, force, and beauty, must to all impart, At once the source, and end, and test of art. Art from that fund each just supply provides, Works without show, and without pomp presides: In some fair body thus th' informing soul With spirits feeds, with vigour fills the whole, Each motion guides, and ev'ry nerve sustains; Itself unseen, but in th' effects, remains. Some, to whom Heav'n in wit has been profuse, Want as much more, to turn it to its use; For wit and judgment often are at strife, Though meant each other's aid, like man and wife. 'Tis more to guide, than spur the Muse's steed; Restrain his fury, than provoke his speed; The winged courser, like a gen'rous horse, Shows most true mettle when you check his course.        Those RULES of old discover'd, not devis'd, Are Nature still, but Nature methodis'd; Nature, like liberty, is but restrain'd By the same laws which first herself ordain'd.        Hear how learn'd Greece her useful rules indites, When to repress, and when indulge our flights: High on Parnassus' top her sons she show'd, And pointed out those arduous paths they trod; Held from afar, aloft, th' immortal prize, And urg'd the rest by equal steps to rise. Just precepts thus from great examples giv'n, She drew from them what they deriv'd from Heav'n. The gen'rous critic fann'd the poet's fire, And taught the world with reason to admire. Then criticism the Muse's handmaid prov'd, To dress her charms, and make her more belov'd; But following wits from that intention stray'd; Who could not win the mistress, woo'd the maid; Against the poets their own arms they turn'd, Sure to hate most the men from whom they learn'd. So modern 'pothecaries, taught the art By doctor's bills to play the doctor's part, Bold in the practice of mistaken rules, Prescribe, apply, and call their masters fools. Some on the leaves of ancient authors prey, Nor time nor moths e'er spoil'd so much as they: Some drily plain, without invention's aid, Write dull receipts how poems may be made: These leave the sense, their learning to display, And those explain the meaning quite away.        You then whose judgment the right course would steer, Know well each ANCIENT'S proper character; His fable, subject, scope in ev'ry page; Religion, country, genius of his age: Without all these at once before your eyes, Cavil you may, but never criticise. Be Homer's works your study and delight, Read them by day, and meditate by night; Thence form your judgment, thence your maxims bring, And trace the Muses upward to their spring; Still with itself compar'd, his text peruse; And let your comment be the Mantuan Muse.        When first young Maro in his boundless mind A work t' outlast immortal Rome design'd, Perhaps he seem'd above the critic's law, And but from Nature's fountains scorn'd to draw: But when t' examine ev'ry part he came, Nature and Homer were, he found, the same. Convinc'd, amaz'd, he checks the bold design, And rules as strict his labour'd work confine, As if the Stagirite o'erlook'd each line. Learn hence for ancient rules a just esteem; To copy nature is to copy them.        Some beauties yet, no precepts can declare, For there's a happiness as well as care. Music resembles poetry, in each Are nameless graces which no methods teach, And which a master-hand alone can reach. If, where the rules not far enough extend, (Since rules were made but to promote their end) Some lucky LICENCE answers to the full Th' intent propos'd, that licence is a rule. Thus Pegasus, a nearer way to take, May boldly deviate from the common track. Great wits sometimes may gloriously offend, And rise to faults true critics dare not mend; From vulgar bounds with brave disorder part, And snatch a grace beyond the reach of art, Which, without passing through the judgment, gains The heart, and all its end at once attains. In prospects, thus, some objects please our eyes, Which out of nature's common order rise, The shapeless rock, or hanging precipice. But tho' the ancients thus their rules invade, (As kings dispense with laws themselves have made) Moderns, beware! or if you must offend Against the precept, ne'er transgress its end; Let it be seldom, and compell'd by need, And have, at least, their precedent to plead. The critic else proceeds without remorse, Seizes your fame, and puts his laws in force.        I know there are, to whose presumptuous thoughts Those freer beauties, ev'n in them, seem faults. Some figures monstrous and misshap'd appear, Consider'd singly, or beheld too near, Which, but proportion'd to their light, or place, Due distance reconciles to form and grace. A prudent chief not always must display His pow'rs in equal ranks, and fair array, But with th' occasion and the place comply, Conceal his force, nay seem sometimes to fly. Those oft are stratagems which errors seem, Nor is it Homer nods, but we that dream.        Still green with bays each ancient altar stands, Above the reach of sacrilegious hands, Secure from flames, from envy's fiercer rage, Destructive war, and all-involving age. See, from each clime the learn'd their incense bring! Hear, in all tongues consenting pæans ring! In praise so just let ev'ry voice be join'd, And fill the gen'ral chorus of mankind! Hail, bards triumphant! born in happier days; Immortal heirs of universal praise! Whose honours with increase of ages grow, As streams roll down, enlarging as they flow! Nations unborn your mighty names shall sound, And worlds applaud that must not yet be found! Oh may some spark of your celestial fire The last, the meanest of your sons inspire, (That on weak wings, from far, pursues your flights; Glows while he reads, but trembles as he writes) To teach vain wits a science little known, T' admire superior sense, and doubt their own!

Of all the causes which conspire to blind Man's erring judgment, and misguide the mind, What the weak head with strongest bias rules, Is pride, the never-failing vice of fools. Whatever Nature has in worth denied, She gives in large recruits of needful pride; For as in bodies, thus in souls, we find What wants in blood and spirits, swell'd with wind; Pride, where wit fails, steps in to our defence, And fills up all the mighty void of sense! If once right reason drives that cloud away, Truth breaks upon us with resistless day; Trust not yourself; but your defects to know, Make use of ev'ry friend—and ev'ry foe.        A little learning is a dang'rous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: There shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, And drinking largely sobers us again. Fir'd at first sight with what the Muse imparts, In fearless youth we tempt the heights of arts, While from the bounded level of our mind, Short views we take, nor see the lengths behind, But more advanc'd, behold with strange surprise New, distant scenes of endless science rise! So pleas'd at first, the tow'ring Alps we try, Mount o'er the vales, and seem to tread the sky; Th' eternal snows appear already past, And the first clouds and mountains seem the last; But those attain'd, we tremble to survey The growing labours of the lengthen'd way, Th' increasing prospect tires our wand'ring eyes, Hills peep o'er hills, and Alps on Alps arise!        A perfect judge will read each work of wit With the same spirit that its author writ, Survey the whole, nor seek slight faults to find, Where nature moves, and rapture warms the mind; Nor lose, for that malignant dull delight, The gen'rous pleasure to be charm'd with wit. But in such lays as neither ebb, nor flow, Correctly cold, and regularly low, That shunning faults, one quiet tenour keep; We cannot blame indeed—but we may sleep. In wit, as nature, what affects our hearts Is not th' exactness of peculiar parts; 'Tis not a lip, or eye, we beauty call, But the joint force and full result of all. Thus when we view some well-proportion'd dome, (The world's just wonder, and ev'n thine, O Rome!' No single parts unequally surprise; All comes united to th' admiring eyes; No monstrous height, or breadth, or length appear; The whole at once is bold, and regular.        Whoever thinks a faultless piece to see, Thinks what ne'er was, nor is, nor e'er shall be. In ev'ry work regard the writer's end, Since none can compass more than they intend; And if the means be just, the conduct true, Applause, in spite of trivial faults, is due. As men of breeding, sometimes men of wit, T' avoid great errors, must the less commit: Neglect the rules each verbal critic lays, For not to know such trifles, is a praise. Most critics, fond of some subservient art, Still make the whole depend upon a part: They talk of principles, but notions prize, And all to one lov'd folly sacrifice.        Once on a time, La Mancha's knight, they say, A certain bard encount'ring on the way, Discours'd in terms as just, with looks as sage, As e'er could Dennis of the Grecian stage; Concluding all were desp'rate sots and fools, Who durst depart from Aristotle's rules. Our author, happy in a judge so nice, Produc'd his play, and begg'd the knight's advice, Made him observe the subject and the plot, The manners, passions, unities, what not? All which, exact to rule, were brought about, Were but a combat in the lists left out. "What! leave the combat out?" exclaims the knight; "Yes, or we must renounce the Stagirite." "Not so by Heav'n" (he answers in a rage) "Knights, squires, and steeds, must enter on the stage." So vast a throng the stage can ne'er contain. "Then build a new, or act it in a plain."        Thus critics, of less judgment than caprice, Curious not knowing, not exact but nice, Form short ideas; and offend in arts (As most in manners) by a love to parts.        Some to conceit alone their taste confine, And glitt'ring thoughts struck out at ev'ry line; Pleas'd with a work where nothing's just or fit; One glaring chaos and wild heap of wit. Poets, like painters, thus, unskill'd to trace The naked nature and the living grace, With gold and jewels cover ev'ry part, And hide with ornaments their want of art. True wit is nature to advantage dress'd, What oft was thought, but ne'er so well express'd, Something, whose truth convinc'd at sight we find, That gives us back the image of our mind. As shades more sweetly recommend the light, So modest plainness sets off sprightly wit. For works may have more wit than does 'em good, As bodies perish through excess of blood.        Others for language all their care express, And value books, as women men, for dress: Their praise is still—"the style is excellent": The sense, they humbly take upon content. Words are like leaves; and where they most abound, Much fruit of sense beneath is rarely found. False eloquence, like the prismatic glass, Its gaudy colours spreads on ev'ry place; The face of Nature we no more survey, All glares alike, without distinction gay: But true expression, like th' unchanging sun, Clears, and improves whate'er it shines upon, It gilds all objects, but it alters none. Expression is the dress of thought, and still Appears more decent, as more suitable; A vile conceit in pompous words express'd, Is like a clown in regal purple dress'd: For diff'rent styles with diff'rent subjects sort, As several garbs with country, town, and court. Some by old words to fame have made pretence, Ancients in phrase, mere moderns in their sense; Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd, and make the learned smile. Unlucky, as Fungoso in the play, These sparks with awkward vanity display What the fine gentleman wore yesterday! And but so mimic ancient wits at best, As apes our grandsires, in their doublets dress'd. In words, as fashions, the same rule will hold; Alike fantastic, if too new, or old; Be not the first by whom the new are tried, Not yet the last to lay the old aside.        But most by numbers judge a poet's song; And smooth or rough, with them is right or wrong: In the bright Muse though thousand charms conspire, Her voice is all these tuneful fools admire, Who haunt Parnassus but to please their ear, Not mend their minds; as some to church repair, Not for the doctrine, but the music there. These equal syllables alone require, Tho' oft the ear the open vowels tire, While expletives their feeble aid do join, And ten low words oft creep in one dull line, While they ring round the same unvaried chimes, With sure returns of still expected rhymes. Where'er you find "the cooling western breeze", In the next line, it "whispers through the trees": If "crystal streams with pleasing murmurs creep", The reader's threaten'd (not in vain) with "sleep". Then, at the last and only couplet fraught With some unmeaning thing they call a thought, A needless Alexandrine ends the song, That, like a wounded snake, drags its slow length along. Leave such to tune their own dull rhymes, and know What's roundly smooth, or languishingly slow; And praise the easy vigour of a line, Where Denham's strength, and Waller's sweetness join. True ease in writing comes from art, not chance, As those move easiest who have learn'd to dance. 'Tis not enough no harshness gives offence, The sound must seem an echo to the sense. Soft is the strain when Zephyr gently blows, And the smooth stream in smoother numbers flows; But when loud surges lash the sounding shore, The hoarse, rough verse should like the torrent roar. When Ajax strives some rock's vast weight to throw, The line too labours, and the words move slow; Not so, when swift Camilla scours the plain, Flies o'er th' unbending corn, and skims along the main. Hear how Timotheus' varied lays surprise, And bid alternate passions fall and rise! While, at each change, the son of Libyan Jove Now burns with glory, and then melts with love; Now his fierce eyes with sparkling fury glow, Now sighs steal out, and tears begin to flow: Persians and Greeks like turns of nature found, And the world's victor stood subdu'd by sound! The pow'r of music all our hearts allow, And what Timotheus was, is Dryden now.        Avoid extremes; and shun the fault of such, Who still are pleas'd too little or too much. At ev'ry trifle scorn to take offence, That always shows great pride, or little sense; Those heads, as stomachs, are not sure the best, Which nauseate all, and nothing can digest. Yet let not each gay turn thy rapture move, For fools admire, but men of sense approve; As things seem large which we through mists descry, Dulness is ever apt to magnify.        Some foreign writers, some our own despise; The ancients only, or the moderns prize. Thus wit, like faith, by each man is applied To one small sect, and all are damn'd beside. Meanly they seek the blessing to confine, And force that sun but on a part to shine; Which not alone the southern wit sublimes, But ripens spirits in cold northern climes; Which from the first has shone on ages past, Enlights the present, and shall warm the last; (Though each may feel increases and decays, And see now clearer and now darker days.) Regard not then if wit be old or new, But blame the false, and value still the true. Some ne'er advance a judgment of their own, But catch the spreading notion of the town; They reason and conclude by precedent, And own stale nonsense which they ne'er invent. Some judge of authors' names, not works, and then Nor praise nor blame the writings, but the men. Of all this servile herd, the worst is he That in proud dulness joins with quality, A constant critic at the great man's board, To fetch and carry nonsense for my Lord. What woeful stuff this madrigal would be, In some starv'd hackney sonneteer, or me? But let a Lord once own the happy lines, How the wit brightens! how the style refines! Before his sacred name flies every fault, And each exalted stanza teems with thought!        The vulgar thus through imitation err; As oft the learn'd by being singular; So much they scorn the crowd, that if the throng By chance go right, they purposely go wrong: So Schismatics the plain believers quit, And are but damn'd for having too much wit.        Some praise at morning what they blame at night; But always think the last opinion right. A Muse by these is like a mistress us'd, This hour she's idoliz'd, the next abus'd; While their weak heads, like towns unfortified, Twixt sense and nonsense daily change their side. Ask them the cause; they're wiser still, they say; And still tomorrow's wiser than today. We think our fathers fools, so wise we grow; Our wiser sons, no doubt, will think us so. Once school divines this zealous isle o'erspread; Who knew most Sentences, was deepest read; Faith, Gospel, all, seem'd made to be disputed, And none had sense enough to be confuted: Scotists and Thomists, now, in peace remain, Amidst their kindred cobwebs in Duck Lane. If Faith itself has different dresses worn, What wonder modes in wit should take their turn? Oft, leaving what is natural and fit, The current folly proves the ready wit; And authors think their reputation safe Which lives as long as fools are pleased to laugh.        Some valuing those of their own side or mind, Still make themselves the measure of mankind; Fondly we think we honour merit then, When we but praise ourselves in other men. Parties in wit attend on those of state, And public faction doubles private hate. Pride, Malice, Folly, against Dryden rose, In various shapes of Parsons, Critics, Beaus; But sense surviv'd, when merry jests were past; For rising merit will buoy up at last. Might he return, and bless once more our eyes, New Blackmores and new Milbourns must arise; Nay should great Homer lift his awful head, Zoilus again would start up from the dead. Envy will merit, as its shade, pursue, But like a shadow, proves the substance true; For envied wit, like Sol eclips'd, makes known Th' opposing body's grossness, not its own. When first that sun too powerful beams displays, It draws up vapours which obscure its rays; But ev'n those clouds at last adorn its way, Reflect new glories, and augment the day.        Be thou the first true merit to befriend; His praise is lost, who stays till all commend. Short is the date, alas, of modern rhymes, And 'tis but just to let 'em live betimes. No longer now that golden age appears, When patriarch wits surviv'd a thousand years: Now length of Fame (our second life) is lost, And bare threescore is all ev'n that can boast; Our sons their fathers' failing language see, And such as Chaucer is, shall Dryden be. So when the faithful pencil has design'd Some bright idea of the master's mind, Where a new world leaps out at his command, And ready Nature waits upon his hand; When the ripe colours soften and unite, And sweetly melt into just shade and light; When mellowing years their full perfection give, And each bold figure just begins to live, The treacherous colours the fair art betray, And all the bright creation fades away!        Unhappy wit, like most mistaken things, Atones not for that envy which it brings. In youth alone its empty praise we boast, But soon the short-liv'd vanity is lost: Like some fair flow'r the early spring supplies, That gaily blooms, but ev'n in blooming dies. What is this wit, which must our cares employ? The owner's wife, that other men enjoy; Then most our trouble still when most admir'd, And still the more we give, the more requir'd; Whose fame with pains we guard, but lose with ease, Sure some to vex, but never all to please; 'Tis what the vicious fear, the virtuous shun; By fools 'tis hated, and by knaves undone!        If wit so much from ign'rance undergo, Ah let not learning too commence its foe! Of old, those met rewards who could excel, And such were prais'd who but endeavour'd well: Though triumphs were to gen'rals only due, Crowns were reserv'd to grace the soldiers too. Now, they who reach Parnassus' lofty crown, Employ their pains to spurn some others down;        And while self-love each jealous writer rules, Contending wits become the sport of fools: But still the worst with most regret commend, For each ill author is as bad a friend. To what base ends, and by what abject ways, Are mortals urg'd through sacred lust of praise! Ah ne'er so dire a thirst of glory boast, Nor in the critic let the man be lost! Good nature and good sense must ever join; To err is human; to forgive, divine.        But if in noble minds some dregs remain, Not yet purg'd off, of spleen and sour disdain, Discharge that rage on more provoking crimes, Nor fear a dearth in these flagitious times. No pardon vile obscenity should find, Though wit and art conspire to move your mind; But dulness with obscenity must prove As shameful sure as impotence in love. In the fat age of pleasure, wealth, and ease, Sprung the rank weed, and thriv'd with large increase: When love was all an easy monarch's care; Seldom at council, never in a war: Jilts ruled the state, and statesmen farces writ; Nay wits had pensions, and young Lords had wit: The fair sat panting at a courtier's play, And not a mask went unimprov'd away: The modest fan was lifted up no more, And virgins smil'd at what they blush'd before. The following licence of a foreign reign Did all the dregs of bold Socinus drain; Then unbelieving priests reform'd the nation, And taught more pleasant methods of salvation; Where Heav'n's free subjects might their rights dispute, Lest God himself should seem too absolute: Pulpits their sacred satire learned to spare, And Vice admired to find a flatt'rer there! Encourag'd thus, wit's Titans brav'd the skies, And the press groan'd with licenc'd blasphemies. These monsters, critics! with your darts engage, Here point your thunder, and exhaust your rage! Yet shun their fault, who, scandalously nice, Will needs mistake an author into vice; All seems infected that th' infected spy, As all looks yellow to the jaundic'd eye.

Learn then what morals critics ought to show, For 'tis but half a judge's task, to know. 'Tis not enough, taste, judgment, learning, join; In all you speak, let truth and candour shine: That not alone what to your sense is due, All may allow; but seek your friendship too.        Be silent always when you doubt your sense; And speak, though sure, with seeming diffidence: Some positive, persisting fops we know, Who, if once wrong, will needs be always so; But you, with pleasure own your errors past, And make each day a critic on the last.        'Tis not enough, your counsel still be true; Blunt truths more mischief than nice falsehoods do; Men must be taught as if you taught them not; And things unknown proposed as things forgot. Without good breeding, truth is disapprov'd; That only makes superior sense belov'd.        Be niggards of advice on no pretence; For the worst avarice is that of sense. With mean complacence ne'er betray your trust, Nor be so civil as to prove unjust. Fear not the anger of the wise to raise; Those best can bear reproof, who merit praise.        'Twere well might critics still this freedom take, But Appius reddens at each word you speak, And stares, Tremendous ! with a threatening eye, Like some fierce tyrant in old tapestry! Fear most to tax an honourable fool, Whose right it is, uncensur'd, to be dull; Such, without wit, are poets when they please, As without learning they can take degrees. Leave dangerous truths to unsuccessful satires, And flattery to fulsome dedicators, Whom, when they praise, the world believes no more, Than when they promise to give scribbling o'er. 'Tis best sometimes your censure to restrain, And charitably let the dull be vain: Your silence there is better than your spite, For who can rail so long as they can write? Still humming on, their drowsy course they keep, And lash'd so long, like tops, are lash'd asleep. False steps but help them to renew the race, As after stumbling, jades will mend their pace. What crowds of these, impenitently bold, In sounds and jingling syllables grown old, Still run on poets, in a raging vein, Even to the dregs and squeezings of the brain, Strain out the last, dull droppings of their sense, And rhyme with all the rage of impotence!        Such shameless bards we have; and yet 'tis true, There are as mad, abandon'd critics too. The bookful blockhead, ignorantly read, With loads of learned lumber in his head, With his own tongue still edifies his ears, And always list'ning to himself appears. All books he reads, and all he reads assails, From Dryden's Fables down to Durfey's Tales. With him, most authors steal their works, or buy; Garth did not write his own Dispensary . Name a new play, and he's the poet's friend, Nay show'd his faults—but when would poets mend? No place so sacred from such fops is barr'd, Nor is Paul's church more safe than Paul's churchyard: Nay, fly to altars; there they'll talk you dead: For fools rush in where angels fear to tread. Distrustful sense with modest caution speaks; It still looks home, and short excursions makes; But rattling nonsense in full volleys breaks; And never shock'd, and never turn'd aside, Bursts out, resistless, with a thund'ring tide.        But where's the man, who counsel can bestow, Still pleas'd to teach, and yet not proud to know? Unbias'd, or by favour or by spite; Not dully prepossess'd, nor blindly right; Though learn'd, well-bred; and though well-bred, sincere; Modestly bold, and humanly severe? Who to a friend his faults can freely show, And gladly praise the merit of a foe? Blest with a taste exact, yet unconfin'd; A knowledge both of books and human kind; Gen'rous converse; a soul exempt from pride; And love to praise, with reason on his side?        Such once were critics; such the happy few, Athens and Rome in better ages knew. The mighty Stagirite first left the shore, Spread all his sails, and durst the deeps explore: He steer'd securely, and discover'd far, Led by the light of the Mæonian Star. Poets, a race long unconfin'd and free, Still fond and proud of savage liberty, Receiv'd his laws; and stood convinc'd 'twas fit, Who conquer'd nature, should preside o'er wit.        Horace still charms with graceful negligence, And without methods talks us into sense, Will, like a friend, familiarly convey The truest notions in the easiest way. He, who supreme in judgment, as in wit, Might boldly censure, as he boldly writ, Yet judg'd with coolness, though he sung with fire; His precepts teach but what his works inspire. Our critics take a contrary extreme, They judge with fury, but they write with fle'me: Nor suffers Horace more in wrong translations By wits, than critics in as wrong quotations.        See Dionysius Homer's thoughts refine, And call new beauties forth from ev'ry line!        Fancy and art in gay Petronius please, The scholar's learning, with the courtier's ease.        In grave Quintilian's copious work we find The justest rules, and clearest method join'd; Thus useful arms in magazines we place, All rang'd in order, and dispos'd with grace, But less to please the eye, than arm the hand, Still fit for use, and ready at command.        Thee, bold Longinus! all the Nine inspire, And bless their critic with a poet's fire. An ardent judge, who zealous in his trust, With warmth gives sentence, yet is always just; Whose own example strengthens all his laws; And is himself that great sublime he draws.        Thus long succeeding critics justly reign'd, Licence repress'd, and useful laws ordain'd; Learning and Rome alike in empire grew, And arts still follow'd where her eagles flew; From the same foes, at last, both felt their doom, And the same age saw learning fall, and Rome. With tyranny, then superstition join'd, As that the body, this enslav'd the mind; Much was believ'd, but little understood, And to be dull was constru'd to be good; A second deluge learning thus o'er-run, And the monks finish'd what the Goths begun.        At length Erasmus, that great, injur'd name, (The glory of the priesthood, and the shame!) Stemm'd the wild torrent of a barb'rous age, And drove those holy Vandals off the stage.        But see! each Muse, in Leo's golden days, Starts from her trance, and trims her wither'd bays! Rome's ancient genius, o'er its ruins spread, Shakes off the dust, and rears his rev'rend head! Then sculpture and her sister-arts revive; Stones leap'd to form, and rocks began to live; With sweeter notes each rising temple rung; A Raphael painted, and a Vida sung. Immortal Vida! on whose honour'd brow The poet's bays and critic's ivy grow: Cremona now shall ever boast thy name, As next in place to Mantua, next in fame!        But soon by impious arms from Latium chas'd, Their ancient bounds the banished Muses pass'd; Thence arts o'er all the northern world advance; But critic-learning flourish'd most in France. The rules a nation born to serve, obeys, And Boileau still in right of Horace sways. But we, brave Britons, foreign laws despis'd, And kept unconquer'd, and uncivilis'd, Fierce for the liberties of wit, and bold, We still defied the Romans, as of old. Yet some there were, among the sounder few Of those who less presum'd, and better knew, Who durst assert the juster ancient cause, And here restor'd wit's fundamental laws. Such was the Muse, whose rules and practice tell "Nature's chief master-piece is writing well." Such was Roscommon—not more learn'd than good, With manners gen'rous as his noble blood; To him the wit of Greece and Rome was known, And ev'ry author's merit, but his own. Such late was Walsh—the Muse's judge and friend, Who justly knew to blame or to commend; To failings mild, but zealous for desert; The clearest head, and the sincerest heart. This humble praise, lamented shade! receive, This praise at least a grateful Muse may give: The Muse, whose early voice you taught to sing, Prescrib'd her heights, and prun'd her tender wing, (Her guide now lost) no more attempts to rise, But in low numbers short excursions tries: Content, if hence th' unlearn'd their wants may view, The learn'd reflect on what before they knew: Careless of censure, nor too fond of fame, Still pleas'd to praise, yet not afraid to blame, Averse alike to flatter, or offend, Not free from faults, nor yet too vain to mend.

The acknowledged master of the heroic couplet and one of the primary tastemakers of the Augustan age, British writer Alexander Pope was a central figure in the Neoclassical movement of the early 18th century. He is known for having perfected the rhymed couplet form of his idol, John Dryden , and turned it to satiric and philosophical purposes. His mock epic The Rape of the Lock (1714) derides elite...

Essay on “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” English Essay, Paragraph, Speech for Class 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 12 for College and Competitive Exams.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

A little knowledge is more dangerous than no knowledge at all. At least a person who does not know anything can claim of not knowing anything. He can be truthful to himself and the society. But a person with incomplete knowledge is neither here nor there. He cannot say that he knows nothing nor can he say that knows all. Therefore when the situation arises his knowledge is at test, he is unable to give the correct assessment. He thus opens himself to ridicule and cause harm. For example, a doctor who is not fully qualified will put the life of a patient in danger and instead of doing good will do more harm. The same is true for a car-driver, a technician a school teacher or any other person who is not well versed with his job. Only when a person has complete knowledge about his profession or subject he/she is capable of being useful to society.

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Essay, Paragraph, Speech on “A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing” Complete Essay for Class 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, Graduation classes.

A Little Knowledge Is A Dangerous Thing

3 Best Essay on “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing”

Essay  No. 01

This proverb cautions us against the dangers of having a little knowledge. A little knowledge about a thing is both defective and harmful. A man with a little knowledge misleads those who follow him. He pretends to be what he is not. He is like a quack that causes the death of many people. He may have the prescription of a few ailments but tries his hand on every type of ailment. He spreads pain and suffering in society. One must have full knowledge of a thing or no knowledge at all. It does not pay to be a Jack of all trades and master of none. Only a person with full knowledge can deliver the goods. He can speak about a thing with authority and confidence. No doubt knowledge is limitless. We can’t master it in all our life. But whatever knowledge we possess must be perfect. A man with a little knowledge is like a frog in the well. We should try to rise above the narrow bounds of our knowledge. Thus the proverb stresses the importance of full knowledge.

Essay  No. 02

A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous

Things According to Pope, knowledge is good but a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. A person with little knowledge is like an empty vessel which makes a lot of noise. Similarly to conceal their weakness, the people who know very little about a subject pose themselves as an authority on the subject. A little knowledge is always accompanied by false pride. It is necessary thus that one is fully trained and qualified before entering a particular field as an untrained and unqualified person can be even dangerous to fellow beings. Although it is true that life is short and knowledge is vast, it still does not mean that one should be content with imperfect knowledge. It is better not to acquire any knowledge at all than a little knowledge for it can be dangerous to others and oneself also.

Essay  No. 03

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Man has the curiosity to know more about the things around him. This urge has added meaning to his life. From time immemorial man has been engrossed in the quest for knowledge. This curiosity has led him to get unthinkable. But there have been also times when this brought about the downfall of the man himself.

Little knowledge of a matter is dangerous. A person who has little knowledge often attempts to do what is beyond his ability. He goes boasting about his learning and knowledge. He misjudges things. A mechanic having blunt knowledge of his work may spoil the machinery.

Persons with little knowledge mislead others. They often expose themselves to the ridicule of others. When a man boasts of himself, foolish people consider him a great man. They believe in whatever he says. They attribute many things to him which he does not know. He enjoys a reputation, which he does not deserve.

A little knowledge is very dangerous in this scientific era. With a little knowledge of medicine, he may prescribe the wrong medicines and diagnose the patient wrongly. An engineering firm may save money by giving employment to underqualified engineers. But such a firm loses a hundred times more through wastage and inefficiency. A railway engine driver who is not an expert or a pilot who knows just a little about aeronautics may bring disaster on so many passengers.

The teachers whose knowledge of his subject is not thorough may prove to be a source of incalculable harm to his students. A political leader who has little knowledge about the economic, social, and political problems of his country may prove harmful.

Alfred Nobel revealed the concept behind the dynamite to be used for the betterment of humanity. He could not realize that it could be used for destructive purposes also. In technical matters, mastery over the subject is a must. In some cases, a little knowledge can be helpful but is only where practical use of knowledge is not involved. Limited knowledge may invite many troubles. It does not contribute to the betterment of society. It makes a man dogmatic. By blowing his own trumpet, he propagates his ignorance. People having little knowledge are rude and discourteous. They make a lot of noise while boasting.

We should always try to learn more and more about a subject. So long we do not know fully about a particular subject, we should not venture to give any opinion about it.

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Professor Buzzkill

History podcast, albert einstein: “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” quote or no quote.

Ah yes, Albert Einstein. Perhaps number 3 or number 4 on the all time mis-quoted list. No, he didn’t say that thing about the disappearance of bees, and the disappearance of bee pollination being the sign that animal life on the planet, especially humans, was doomed within four years. No, he didn’t say “if the facts don’t fit the theory, change the facts.” And, as we’ve shown in an earlier episode of Quote or No Quote, he didn’t say “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

But people keep crediting these kinds of quotes and ideas to Einstein over and over, even though they’re mis-attributing to good old Albert what other important and thoughtful people said first. And one of the most common Einstein No Quotes you see coursing around the internet is:

“A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.”

Sometimes the mis-quote-meisters add “so is a lot,” to this pithy quote saying about knowledge, and we end up with “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. So is a lot.”

It’s probably the type of thing Einstein would say, but there’s no evidence that he did. And if he had said it, Einstein, being highly educated and well-read, would undoubtedly know that he was quoting another highly-educated, well-read, and talented person, Alexander Pope, the 18th Century English poet. And the pity of all of this, is that the current cultural disease of applying quotes to only Einstein and Churchill and Gandhi, leaves out the other true greats, like Alexander Pope.

In his Essay on Criticism (written in 1709 and published in 1711, Pope wrote:

A little Learning is a dang’rous Thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian [peer-ee-an] Spring: There shallow Draughts intoxicate the Brain, And drinking largely sobers us again.

(“The Pierian Spring” refers to a mythic spring in Macedonia, near Mount Olympus, the waters of which were reputed to inspire Orpheus, the poet and musician in ancient Greek mythology. And notice that, in Pope’s original, it’s a “little learning” that’s a dangerous thing, rather than a “little knowledge.”)

Pope’s Essay on Criticism is a lengthy commentary, written in verse, on the purpose and place of the writers and literary critics in a nation’s culture. The Essay on Criticism is also the source of other great thoughts that have become famous quotations. These include:

“To err is human, to forgive divine”

“Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.”

When Buzzkill Institute researchers urge me to stop being such a quotation tyrant, I always remind them that ‘”fools rush in to attribute pithy phrases to Einstein, Gandhi, and Churchill, where thoughtful Buzzkillers fear to tread.”

Buzzkill Bookshelf:

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A Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing – Meaning, Origin and Usage

Are you looking for a way to say that people often overestimate how much they know? You could point out that "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing". Discover where this famous saying came from, what it means, and how to use it in this post.

The phrase "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" warns against the fact that people who have learned a little about a particular subject frequently overestimate how much they actually know .

In this sense, knowing a little about a subject can be more dangerous than knowing nothing at all , as at least people who know nothing are aware how little they understand.

"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" is now the most commonly-used variation of this saying, but the original, "a little learning is a dangerous thing", has the same meaning.

​​Example Usage

Are you curious how the phrase "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" might be used in practice? Take a look at these examples:

• "Having heard that cryptocurrencies were exploring, my uncle invested in Bitcoin. Just goes to show, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
• "When I was a teenager, I thought I knew everything. It turns out that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
• "The research team explained why people chronically overestimate their skills in their new paper, titled ' A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing: Why We Don't Know What We Don't Know '."

The saying "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing", now so commonly used that it is often referred to as a proverb, originated with the English poet Alexander Pope (1688-1744).

The original phrase, "a little learning is a dangerous thing", first appeared in Pope's 1709 An Essay On Criticism . The concept, however, had already been discussed by the English philosopher Francis Bacon earlier.

It is no surprise that this phrase, which originated centuries ago has proven to have such staying power — the fact that a little knowledge is indeed a dangerous thing has deeply been explored by scientists since that time , and the idea behind the saying has been found to be true:

• People who know nothing about a subject, as they have never studied it, know that they know nothing .
• Those who learn a little quickly become confident. Not knowing how much there still is to learn, they believe they know much more than they do .
• Once people who keep studying a subject truly begin to approach expert levels of knowledge, they again lose confidence, now believing that there is still so much more to learn .

This concept has come to be known as the Dunning-Kruger effect .

The saying "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" can serve as a warning to anyone who feels confident after learning a little.

Phrases Similar to a Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing

You could also say:

• A little learning is a dangerous thing — the original version of the saying.
• You don't know what you don't know — a phrase that refers to a person's inability to grasp how how much they still don't know.

Phrases Opposite to a Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing

While there are no phrases that convey the exact opposite, the following come quite close:

• Knowledge is power — a phrase that simply conveys that knowledge can be put into action.
• Ignorance is bliss — a phrase that can be used to revel in the benefits of not knowing, but which is also often used sarcastically.

​What Is the Correct Saying?

The correct saying, "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing", means that knowing a little about something can cause people to overestimate their abilities, sometimes with devastating consequences.

​​Ways People May Say a Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing Incorrectly

Some people might take the phrase "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" to refer to the dangers associated with being generally uneducated. The phrase refers specifically to beginning learners, and indicates that it is necessary to keep learning before putting knowledge into action.

​​Acceptable Ways to Phrase a Little Knowledge Is a Dangerous Thing

You can use the saying "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" to refer to any situation in which someone overestimates their abilities or knowledge after beginning to study that topic .

If your friend feels confident about fixing a generator after watching a YouTube video, for instance, you could counter with "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing".

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Essay on a Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing In English For Students & Teachers

Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing Essay: There is no doubt that Knowledge is the best resource known to mankind. It is maybe one of the central components to evaluate where he is right now. Since forever ago, mankind has developed, carrying out the Knowledge acquired throughout the long term.

At first, individuals were comparable to different creatures, when they began pondering their environmental elements, addressing everything, tracking down the responses to the obscure, hearing a reasonable point of view and begun thinking, they got separated from the rest. Henceforth, normal idea and the capacity to believe makes people stand apart from the rest. From that point, we never halted our journey to answer the obscure things.

In any case, little Knowledge has ended up being perilous for the whole humankind. Anybody with little Knowledge represents a danger to the entire society as they accept that they know it all. Be that as it may, as a general rule, all we know is brief piece of the whole world.  Through this article on a little Knowledge is something perilous , one can proceed securely on the correct way and not be enticed to stroll off course.

A Long Essay on Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing:

One requires food to make Life. Similarly, a man needs the right nourishment for his mind to pick the correct way with adroit considerations. A man’s mind would not remain be able to sit and furthermore a vacant cerebrum is supposed to be Satan’s studio. The possibility of addressing and the mission for answers sets off new turns of events and developments. It urges us to grow our horizons.  A savvy man resembles a quiet stream of water streaming to its objective calmly.

One can see what is underneath the water. It resembles an open book that anyone can enter and acquire Knowledge and understanding. Insightful individuals conflict to assist mankind and inject inspiration into society. We can see this quality from extraordinary pioneers, masterminds and scholars like Buddha, Aristotle, Plato and so forth However they knew in excess of a normal individual, they never guaranteed that they knew it all. They were constantly amped up for growing their insight and were available to change.

He isn’t similar to an instructor with average Knowledge on a specific subject and figures out how to blossom with his arrangement. It is an aftereffect of delivering understudies who are badly educated regarding the subject.

The equivalent can be said with regards to, a not industrialist have appropriate Knowledge on maintaining a business. This will bring about the business collecting titanic misfortunes. A little Knowledge is hazardous for a circuit tester who doesn’t have any idea how to separate between AC/DC associations.

He is probably going to cause a monstrous mishap and loss of life.  A specialist who doesn’t have total Knowledge about a medical procedure or operation could wind up placing many lives at serious risk. A culinary expert who doesn’t have a clue about the whole interaction to cook a dish ruins its flavor and carries a terrible standing to the café. Indeed, even the ordinary citizens, who don’t know total Knowledge about their work, wind up losing their employment. At the point when you conclude your life, any decision without appropriate Knowledge will just put you downhill. It is totally OK to commit errors yet, these missteps ought not be come about because of not having legitimate Knowledge about the choice you make.

The main problem isn’t with the school system, however with the singular’s acquiring capacities and abilities. An individual with little Knowledge will in general view himself as preeminent to the person who knows more. He imagines that he knows it all and quits attempting to be curious. This won’t just stop his psychological development yet in addition abandon him on the off chance that he doesn’t have the foggiest idea what’s going on around him.

They believe that they are preferable or more shrewd over others. These men declare their little Knowledge and trumpet their convictions to others in light of their little learning of the subject.

The section on a little Knowledge is something perilous, assists one with acknowledging how in a world that is innovation driven, having little Knowledge may not prove to be useful. One should have the enthusiasm to continue to refresh themselves to be heard.

The Knowledge man needs to have should accept him on the correct way. Since an individual with little or less Knowledge resembles a frog in the well, fit to be gobbled up by its prey. One should accept endeavors to awaken and be responsible for the words verbally expressed by them as they are responsible for them.

For instance, similar to drugs, it can save lives, however at the equivalent, annihilate lives when individuals become dependent on them. That is on the grounds that little Knowledge taking drugs is destructive. One should get the results of the meds prior to consuming them.

Individuals who have little Knowledge about something specific will quite often act pleased and proficient, while not letting the insightful open his mouth. This is a risky pattern on the grounds that the audience members are loaded up with some unacceptable realities and cause a significant screw up when they to dive into it.

Also, when a blockhead talks, the judicious man likes to keep silent. These individuals don’t understand that they are taking cover behind a dull drapery, denying them of learning realities. In all actuality, they lay affirmed to the murkiness that so easily limits them for the other lives.

A Short Essay on Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing:

However ameliorating as it could be to hear, imagining that one knows everything is equivalent to living in a ridiculous situation. Being happy with the Knowledge achieved is only sheer pomposity. It then, at that point, prompts undesirable ways and at last opens a Pandora’s Box.

A little Knowledge is something risky; one discovers that numb-skulls don’t fear stepping where proficient don’t have any desire to stroll upon. The pride of a man prompts his annihilation. Tragically, he won’t be the solitary setback. All things being equal, take with him innumerable honest spirits into the way of haziness.

That is on the grounds that words when expressed without in view of realities or genuine Knowledge can hurt than great. They will more often than not make undesirable issues and discussions. Along these lines, one should avoid such issues, by acquiring genuine Knowledge on the encompassing happenings.

A reasonable man knows how to finish the job on schedule. Whenever we neglect to understand, we flop without a doubt.

Conclusion:

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Essay in English aims to enunciate the fact that little or more knowledge can be a dangerous path to tread on. Along these lines, one should see reality and stroll toward that reality shows you to and become familiar with a thing to its fullest.

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A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing Essay | Essay on A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing for Students and Children in English

A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing Essay: Knowledge is the foremost tool of empowerment. It is the key to success in life. Knowledge, along with the power to think and analyse, differentiates men from animals. The great scientist, Newton had observed, that knowledge is extensive. It’s true that one can’t master everything in the world. However, learning something incompletely can prove dangerous in the long run.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

Long Essay on A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing 500 Words in English

Below we have given a long essay on A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing of 500 words is helpful for classes 7, 8, 9 and 10 and Competitive Exam Aspirants. This long essay on the topic is suitable for students of class 7 to class 10, and also for competitive exam aspirants.

The origin of the proverb could be traced to a composition by Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism. But, he used the word ‘learning’ instead of ‘knowledge’. The purport, according to Pope was that people who did not know much, thought that they knew everything.

Be it any stream of knowledge or any part of wisdom, an indepth knowledge of it is necessary in order to be able to formulate an opinion or develop a line of thought. Whether it is art, science, literature, politics, technology, communication, astronomy, computers, economics, administration, law, etc., or whether it is simply about life in general, one has to have great, deep and wide knowledge about it in order to be able to speak about it—for or against. This is necessarily, needed and demanded especially in today’s world where opinions are challenged and words have to pay a price.

An ill-informed soldier will get himself foolishly killed if he has no knowledge of war strategies or else will even more foolishly kill his own comrades. A teacher will instill absurd knowledge and inverted concepts if he has no real learning himself. An industrialist will ruin his own fortune as well as that of the others if he has no true knowledge about his own business. A lawyer will ruin his clients fate without thorough knowledge of law and legality. A dumb engineer’s bridge is sure to collapse and God save a patient from a dumber doctor.

Therefore, it is always very dangerous to rely on such half-knowledge. It is rather better to have no knowledge and learning than to prove to be a fool with an incomplete one. Wise people are usually quiet when fools talk. And it is this blindness of fools to their own lack of knowledge which lets them remain in their benighted condition for the rest of their lives. They are blind to their follies and rather cover them up with their superficial learning and hence close all doors for further learning and advancement. A wise person is also fully informed about his own ignorance so that he can shovel away the cobwebs of his ignorance and enlighten himself with the weapon of knowledge. (People with real wisdom are like those trees over-laden with fruit which appears to be bending low so that everyone can enjoy their blessed fruits. It is the man of little learning who is haughty and self-conceited, standing erect like a dry and rotten tree which breaks but does not bend, hence, in turn, loses its very own existence.)

In this era of expert knowledge, a little knowledge of the world stands nowhere. One has to keep oneself updated in order to be somewhere in this world. Moreover, where every word spoken is accountable and is scrutinised closely one cannot get away with sweeping statements which in reality conceal shallow knowledge. It has been proved many a times that words spoken without any real knowledge and statements given without true understanding have often created trouble and controversy.

Words uttered thoughtlessly have created mess which is cleared often by apologies. Thus, if one wants to stay away from troubles one has to learn to be aware of one’s own world around and continuously gather knowledge as readily as children enjoy gathering flowers in a garden during spring time.

“Learning is a life-long process”.

There is no upper age limit for learning. However, whatever one starts learning, must be taken to its completion. In this fast-paced life, everybody is busy gathering bits and pieces of information from wherever possible. However, a complete hold on any particular area is lacking. Therefore we must be patient enough to gain expertise in our chosen field before shifting to another. Youngsters must be taught to test their ‘knowledge’ only when they are sure that it won’t harm them or others.

We must follow the middle path. Neither should we be content with less knowledge nor should go overboard as we learn. Knowledge teaches us to be humble and compassionate. Only this can maintain order and harmony in society.

A Little Knowledge is A Dangerous Thing Essay Word Meanings for Simple Understanding

• Purport – intention, purpose
• Comrades – companion, friend, partner
• Absurd – utterly or obviously senseless, illogical, or untrue, contrary to all reason or common sense
• Inverted – to reverse the position, order, or condition of
• Benighted – uncivilised, backward
• Shovel – move, shift
• Cobwebs – Confusion; disorder
• Haughty – disdainfully proud, snobbish, arrogant
• Self-conceited – characteristic of false pride, having an exaggerated sense of self-importance

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a little knowledge is a dangerous thing

• 1.1 Etymology
• 1.2.1 Synonyms
• 1.3 See also
• 1.4 References

A slight misquotation of Alexander Pope ’s a little learning is a dangerous thing . The earliest use dates from a magazine published in 1774. [ 1 ]

• 1926 , Francis Blake Atkinson, Hallam Hawksworth, A Year in the Wonderland of Trees , page 176 : Of course anybody can saw off a limb; but here, as so often happens, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing , and a little more will often save a dear old friend of the family and the neighborhood.
• a little learning is a dangerous thing
• Dunning-Kruger effect
• unknown unknown
• zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse
• ^ Gary Martin ( 1997– ) “ A little knowledge is a dangerous thing ”, in The Phrase Finder , retrieved 26 February 2017 .

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A little knowledge is a dangerous thing essay?

Pope essay on criticism. The quotation is;

A little Learning is a dang'rous Thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian Spring.

Many have misquoted it to a little knowledge is a dangerous thing

This phrase suggests that having only a small amount of knowledge can lead one to make uninformed decisions or come to incorrect conclusions. It highlights the importance of seeking out comprehensive information before forming opinions or taking action. Emphasizing the need for continuous learning and staying open-minded to new perspectives.

Add your answer:

Why is it said that little knowledge is a dangerous thing?

"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" was first used by Alexander Pope in An Essay on Criticism (1709). It means that a small amount of knowledge can lead people to believe they know more about something than they really do.

What does the quote Little knowledge is a dangerous thing mean?

The quote "Little knowledge is a dangerous thing" means that having only a small amount of knowledge on a subject can lead to overconfidence and potentially risky decisions. It suggests that it is better to either be fully informed or cautious when sharing information or making decisions.

Who said a little knowledge is a dangerous thing?

Alexander Pope (1688 - 1744) wrote 'An Essay on Criticism' in 1709. In it he wrote: "A little learning is a dangerous thing; drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring: there shallow draughts intoxicate the brain, and drinking largely sobers us again." The modern meaning translates to mean that people with a small amount of knowledge often think that they have more 'expertise' than they really do. Sometimes, when this percieved 'expertise' translates into action, it can result in unpredictable, or even tragic consequences.

Who says the little knowledge is the dangerous thing?

The saying "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing" is often attributed to English poet Alexander Pope. It suggests that having a small amount of knowledge on a subject can be more harmful than having no knowledge at all because it may lead to overconfidence and mistakes.

An essay on trees in sanskrit?

Here's a short essay on trees in Sanskrit: वृक्षाः पृथ्वीमध्य पेषयन्ति। ते हिरण्यमयं जलं निर्मिमाणा: भूमिं सन्दृश्य जीवितं पोषयन्ति। वृक्षाः पर्यावरणस्य संरक्षकाः भवन्ति, जलस्य धारयामः संचारकाः भवन्ति।

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