Poll: Wealth or Understanding?

[Not-here-anymore]

Wisdom and understanding. Mostly because if I had enough money to never have to work, I'd never work. And I'd be unbelievably bored.

Also because thus far most problems in my life would have been easier to solve with greater wisdom than with large sums of money

 

[Taldeer]

In my opinion it takes understanding and wisdom to value understanding and wisdom. Also, it is my belief that nothing is absolute and perfect, so wisdom and understanding on a static level is unobtainable, you must live dynamically in order to continually perfect what you understand of yourself and the world, and thankfully there's no end to it. So, given the paradox of needing it to value it and in consequence choose it, coupled with the belief that there's no point in viewing it as a finite, comfortable zone in which to place your mind, I would not choose understanding and wisdom. Not understanding makes things interesting. Wealth is the better choice for me.

 

[2733]

people already tell me I'm a wise man (or was it wise ass?) so I take the money.

 

[Orekoya]

Wisdom and understanding can be applied to attain wealth fairly easily.

Money cannot really be used to attain wealth and understanding.

I'm assuming you meant to say wisdom and understanding which is redundant anyways because wisdom is basically defined as deep understanding. Frankly, it's overrated. Wise but poor have a higher probability of being miserable than any foolish rich man. The inherent folly of picking wisdom is that knowledge is the limitation of wisdom. Wisdom is about the process of absorbing and applying knowledge so if you don't know something then you cannot be wise regarding it. Without the vast intellect to go with that deal you are getting ripped off.

 

[The Funslinger]

I feel like the pursuit of knowledge is as important as gaining it. So I'd take the money, and live a good life, and pursue the aforementioned knowledge.

 

[Custard_Angel]

Wisdom and understanding can be applied to attain wealth fairly easily.

Money cannot really be used to attain wealth and understanding.

I'm assuming you meant to say wisdom and understanding which is redundant anyways because wisdom is basically defined as deep understanding. Frankly, it's overrated. Wise but poor have a higher probability of being miserable than any foolish rich man. The inherent folly of picking wisdom is that knowledge is the limitation of wisdom. Wisdom is about the process of absorbing and applying knowledge so if you don't know something then you cannot be wise regarding it. Without the vast intellect to go with that deal you are getting ripped off.

Valid point, however I would argue that wisdom implies insight beyond the obvious i.e. you can look at a situation or problem and find a solution. You don't need much intellect to be that sort of problem solver.

You could make stacks of cash by devising solutions to problems and letting others handle the details.

 

[MarkyJ]

On the one hand I'm a fairly smart bugger already so being wise enough to use that knowledge to best effect would be a great advantage.
On the other hand, I work full-time at national minimum wage. My bank account is perpetually low so the allure of a large cash injection would be nearly irresistable.
...
I'd go with the wisdom and understanding because my life is by no means uncomfortable so I don't really need the money desperately enough to accept ignorance as well.

 

[BGH122]

All the wisdom in the world isn't going to make you any happier, and it isn't going to do all that much good for others either.

One can earn money. One cannot earn wisdom.

I also reject the idea that wisdom is divorced from intelligence; this isn't dungeons and dragons, one cannot know what it right and true whilst lacking the intelligence to understand the concepts held therein.

 

[TilMorrow]

I'd have to go with the Wealth even if you took the gift of wisdom and understanding you wouldn't necessarily be able to convince other people fully of your newfound wisdom. Plus with money I can pay to learn. Also I have a higher chance of getting back to dessert.

ON a side note: Can I ask who the guy in white is plz? :3

 

[KingofallCosmos]

Wealth. It's ok to be understanding an' all, it's just that it doesn't work for me. Got an IQ of 150 and I haven't been able to work for the last 10 years. F*ck wisdom. I rather be happy with a beer in hand watching CSI, but I can't./rant

Maybe it's more a question of practical and theoretical wisdom. I lack the first.

 

[jpoon]

I'd probably pick the cash. I'm not a genius but I am not an moron either, I'd make due just fine with a massive stack of cash, which I'd mostly dump for a variety of precious metals!

 

[IndianaJonny]

Your bf/gf may regret you chose 'understanding' over 'wealth' when going to the supermarket in your Ford Focus, but when in private? 'Understanding' is rather...handy for certain roles.

 

[DEAD34345]

All the wisdom in the world isn't going to make you any happier, and it isn't going to do all that much good for others either.

One can earn money. One cannot earn wisdom.

I also reject the idea that wisdom is divorced from intelligence; this isn't dungeons and dragons, one cannot know what it right and true whilst lacking the intelligence to understand the concepts held therein.

Well, aside from the fact that I think you can earn wisdom simply by living and having experiences (a lot easier than earning large amounts of money, in fact), this really doesn't address what I was saying in that quote. Who says having wisdom is a particularly good thing anyway? I don't think it's something that can really be used for your own ends, and I can't see it helping others much. Wealth could make your own life and the lives of many others much better, and isn't that what a wise person would want most?

 

[XHolySmokesX]

With money you can buy a standard house,

but with wisdom and understanding you can build yourself a personalised home.

I know what i'd choose...

 

[Pontus Hashis]

Dildo of wisdom for me.

I will be able to live a great life with it.

 

[Cogwheel]

Take the money. Arrange to be bitten by a radioactive zen master so I may acquire wisdom later on.

 

[Grimbold]

If my Wisdom and Understanding wouldn't suffice to make me rich or if I didn't loose the need to get rich by superior wisdom, I would much rather be wealthy.

 

[Yopaz]

money. if i never have to work a day in my life, i'd have plenty of time to understand and become wise.

My thoughts exactly. If I had wealth I would just drift around the university sucking up everything I could learn without a care in the world.

 

[loc978]

I already have enough wisdom and understanding to never again know the bliss of ignorance. More of the same would be detrimental to my health.
I'll take the money. I already know what to do with it.