6 December Antonio, Cardinal Bacci: Meditations for Every Day

6th December

Knowledge and Learning

1. It may seem to some that learning is not sufficiently praised and encouraged in Sacred Scripture and in spiritual literature. “Let no one rate himself more than he ought,” (Rom. 12:3) says St. Paul, and when he is writing to the Corinthians he warns them that “knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies.” He adds, moreover, that “if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know.” (1 Cor. 8:1-2)

Similar warnings may be found in “The Imitation of Christ.” "What cloth it profit thee to dispute deeply about the Trinity, if thou be wanting in humility, and so be displeasing to the Trinity?... I would rather feel compunction than know how to define it. If thou didst know the whole Bible outwardly, and the sayings of all the philosophers, what would it all profit thee without charity and the grace of God ?" (Bk. 1, c. 1) “A lowly rustic that serveth God is better than a proud philosopher who pondereth the courses of the stars, and neglecteth himself.” (Bk. 1, c. 2) "The humble knowledge of oneself is a surer way to God than deep researches after science. Knowledge is not to be blamed, nor simple acquaintance with things, good in itself and ordained by God; but a good conscience and a virtuous life are always to be preferred. But because many take more pains to be learned than to lead good lives, therefore they often go astray, and bear no fruit at all, or but little.'' (Bk. 1, c.3)

Obviously, it is not knowledge itself which is condemned by Sacred Scripture and by the author of “The Imitation of Christ,” but the abuse of knowledge. Learning may be abused in two ways; firstly, when a man studies from motives of pride and vanity, and secondly, when a man uses his knowledge, as often happens today, for evil purposes. Like everything else in life, science should lead us towards God, not away from Him.

God has endowed each one of us with an intellect so that we may know the truth and investigate the mysteries of nature. This search for truth, however, should bring us nearer to God, Who is the Supreme Truth. The different branches of science are only rays which emanate from the Supreme Truth and which should lead us back to their source. It is not enough for us to be clever; above all, we must be good. Otherwise, knowledge will be a dangerous instrument in our possession, both dangerous to ourselves and to our fellow-men. The devil is far more intelligent than we are, yet he has lost God forever.

2. What is the purpose of our studies and of our quest for knowledge? It is interesting to read what St. Bernard has to say on this subject. "There are those who wish to learn for learning's sake; these are simply curious and come to no serious conclusions. There are those, moreover, who study in order to be better known; these are vain men. Others acquire knowledge in order to sell it and to make money or in order to gain honours; these are merchants of science and culture. There are others, however, who cultivate science as an instrument to be used in the service of their neighbour; such men are motivated by charity. There are also some who study in order to sanctify themselves; and this is true wisdom.'' (Serm. 35)

3. Our thirst for knowledge should spring from an ardent desire to know God better in the beauty of His creation and in the multiplicity of laws which govern it. Knowing Him better, we shall love Him more. We should be theocentric rather than egocentric in our learning, as in everything else. In other words, we should seek God rather than ourselves. It is in this highest sense that knowledge is a gift of the Holy Spirit.