Knowledge Without Judgment

As we go through life, repeating mistakes and learning costly lessons, we sometimes wonder why we don’t use more of what has been proved in the past—and why we can’t know more pertaining to the future. But such thoughts become sobering when we think what could happen if knowledge of the future were in the hands of someone without character or conscience. It is frightening enough even now to know that men do have knowledge enough, theoretically at least, to destroy the world—or at least largely to destroy life on earth. Knowledge without judgment, power without conscience are always frightening. Already it is somewhat frightening to know that we have material means far beyond our spiritual and social progress. And already we have upset many balances in nature for which we are paying a price. ” A little learning is a dangerous thing” we’re told. A lot of learning is also dangerous if it isn’t used well and wisely. And a knowledge of the future would be a very heavy responsibility for mere men to carry around—or to be trusted with, with all our faults and imperfections. Furthermore, we already know many things that we don’t use well or wisely. We know the law better than we live it. We know the commandments better than we keep them. We know the rules of health better than we observe them. And we really shouldn’t fret because we don’t know more about the future. We should learn all we can from the past; we should use, all the knowledge we have in the present; and have faith and trust for the future.