Think, then judge rightly

Generally speaking, I know a fair amount of people who like quotes. they like things that people say and they write them down and stash them away in their memory for a rainy day.

I also do this. I often search for wisdom and insight from the lives of others.

But there are some quotes that I find rather inept. Words are strung together that sound good and insightful and almost ingenius until you look at them again and begin to question is it real that is, does it relate to truth and reality or is it just an opinion that loses its value the more you examine it.

Here is one for example from a Nobel Prize winner, Doris Lessing:

"Think wrongly, if you please, but in all cases think for yourself."

Initially this seems to be an insightful thought, initially. But if you delve deeper, then what is unearthed is a senseless statement that has little bearing in reality.

Do we really what people to think wrongly about life, about love, about reality itself. We would classify people who hold to their opinions rather than be persuaded by truth as isane.


Should we jeopardize the truth for the sake of our personal opinion or our subjective stance. At what point does the individual give way to the common good of all.


The above quote says a lot but means nothing.

Now lets look at the quote from Jesus of today's gospel

"Why not judge for yourselves what is right?"

Jesus invites us to think for ourselves but to do so in light of truth and objective reality. We are called to think indeed but to make sure the judgments we make are real and worthy of life, love and truth itself.

Thinking for oursleves should never mean thinking alone in isolation apart from the wisdom and truth that has been passed down.


Many people choose to put their personal opinions above any other standard and this is what causes much chaos and disorderly living. If we have not ground to stand on, then surely we shall fall.

In the words of St. Thomas Aquinas, "wisdom is to taste things as they really are."

Think for yourselves, please, but do not think wrongly. After all, a small error in the beginning can lead to a great fall in the end.