Quote by John W. Gardner

The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble activity and tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy: neither its pipes nor its theories will hold water.

The society which scorns excellence in plumbing as a humble

Summary

This quote emphasizes the importance of valuing all types of work equally and not undermining any particular field because of societal perceptions. It suggests that a society that looks down on plumbing as an insignificant job while overlooking the flaws in more esteemed professions, such as philosophy, will suffer from the consequences of both. Ultimately, both practical skills and abstract theories are necessary for a well-functioning society; ignoring one or elevating the other will lead to a failure in their respective areas and the overall society as well.

Topics

Society

By John W. Gardner

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