Of a truth, Knowledge is power, but it is a power reined by scruple, having a conscience of what must be and what may be; whereas Ignorance is a blind giant who, let him but wax unbound, would make it a sport to seize the pillars that hold up the long-wrought fabric of human good, and turn all the places of joy as dark as a buried Babylon.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the immense power of knowledge, which comes with the responsibility and caution of understanding what is necessary and what is possible. Knowledge, guided by moral principles, acts as a valuable force. In contrast, ignorance is depicted as an uncontrollable force that, if unleashed, would maliciously destroy the foundations and joy of human existence. Thus, the quote highlights the importance of acquiring knowledge and using it wisely while warning against the dangers of ignorance.

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