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A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing Essay: The Perils of Half-Knowledge

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Essay on a Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing

There is no denying that knowledge is the greatest asset known to man. It is perhaps one of the fundamental elements to assess where he is at the moment. Throughout history, humanity has evolved, implementing the knowledge gained over the years. Initially, human beings were on par with other animals, when they started thinking about their surroundings, questioning everything, finding the answers to the unknown, getting a rational opinion and started thinking, they got differentiated from the rest. Hence, rational thought and the ability to think is what makes human beings stand out from the rest. From then, we never stopped our quest to answer the unknown things. 

However, little knowledge has proved to be dangerous for the entire humanity. Anyone with little knowledge poses a threat to the whole society as they believe that they know everything. But in reality, all we know is a minute part of the entire world.  Through this essay on a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, one can tread safely on the right path and not be tempted to walk in the wrong direction. 

 

A Long Essay 

One needs food to survive. Likewise, a man needs the right food for his brain to choose the right path with insightful thoughts. A man’s brain can not stay idle and also an empty brain is said to be the devil’s workshop. The thought of questioning and the quest for answers is what triggers new developments and inventions. It encourages us to expand our horizons.  A wise man is like a calm stream of water flowing to its destination peacefully. 

One can see what is beneath the water. It is like an open book that anybody can enter and gain knowledge and understanding. Wise people strife for the benefit of humanity and infuse positivity into society. We can observe this quality from great leaders, thinkers and philosophers like Buddha, Aristotle, Plato etc. Though they knew more than an average person, they never claimed that they knew everything. They were always excited about expanding their knowledge and were open to change.

He is not like a teacher with mediocre knowledge on a particular subject and learns to thrive on his understanding. It is a result of producing students who are ill-informed about the subject. 

The same can be said about an industrialist, who does not have proper knowledge of running a business. This will result in the business garnering colossal losses. A little knowledge is dangerous for an electrician who does not know how to differentiate between AC/DC connections. 

He is most likely to cause a massive accident and loss of life.  A doctor who does not have complete knowledge about a surgery or medical procedure might end up putting many lives in danger. A chef who does not know the entire process to cook a dish spoils the taste of it and brings a bad reputation to the restaurant. Even the common people, who do not know complete knowledge about their work, end up losing their job. When you decide your life, any choice without proper knowledge will only put you downhill. It is completely okay to make mistakes but, these mistakes should not be resulted from not having proper knowledge about the decision you make.

The real issue is not with the educational system, but with the individual's learning abilities and skills. A person with little knowledge tends to consider himself supreme to the one who knows more. He thinks that he knows everything and stops trying to be inquisitive. This will not only stop his mental growth but also leave him behind if he does not know what is happening around him. 

They think that they are better or wiser than others. These men promulgate their little knowledge and trumpet their beliefs to others based on their little learning of the subject. 

The paragraph on a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, helps one realize how in a world that is technology-driven, having little knowledge may not come in handy. One must have the zeal to keep updating themselves to be heard. 

The knowledge man wants to possess must take him on the right path. Because a person with little or less knowledge is like a frog in the well, ready to be devoured by its prey. One must take efforts to wake up and be accountable for the words spoken by them as they are accountable for them. 

For example, like drugs, it can save lives, but at the same, destroy lives when people become addicted to them. That is because little knowledge of medication is harmful. One must understand the side effects of the medications before consuming them. 

People who have little knowledge about a particular thing tend to act proud and knowledgeable, while not letting the wise open his mouth. This is a dangerous trend because the listeners are filled with the wrong facts and make a major blunder when they delve into it. 

Besides, when a fool talks, the prudent man prefers to stay quiet. These people do not realize that they are hiding behind a dark curtain, depriving them of learning facts. In reality, they lay confirmed to the darkness that so effortlessly bounds them for the rest of their lives. 

 

A Short Essay 

As comforting as it is to hear, thinking that one knows everything is the same as living in a fool's paradise. Being satisfied with the knowledge attained is nothing but sheer arrogance. It then leads to unwanted paths and eventually opens a Pandora's Box. 

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing; one learns that fools do not fear treading where knowledgeable don't want to walk upon. The pride of a man leads to his destruction. Sadly, he will not be the lone casualty. Instead, take with him countless innocent souls into the path of darkness. 

That is because words when spoken without based on facts or true knowledge can cause greater harm than good. They tend to create unwanted problems and controversies. So, one should stay away from such issues, by gaining true knowledge on the surrounding happenings. 

A sensible man knows how to complete the task on time. When we fail to realize, we fail for sure. 

 

Conclusion 

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Essay in English aims to enunciate the fact that little or more knowledge can be a dangerous path to tread on. So, one must see the truth and walk in the direction of that the truth shows you to and learn a thing to its fullest.

FAQs on A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing Essay: The Perils of Half-Knowledge

1. What does a Little Knowledge is a Dangerous thing Essay imply?

One must always strife to learn more about something in order to have the right knowledge. Having little knowledge is not dangerous, but one must not rely on their own perceptions. That is because it misleads the people in a completely wrong direction.


People with little knowledge on a particular concept or topic can be misleading. That is because they sputter nothing but fumes of destruction. It is like a surgeon who is not rightly qualified using the wrong equipment to perform a surgery.

2. In the Essay on a Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing, how much Knowledge is Sufficient?

Attaining too little or too much knowledge is always dangerous. It never has a good intention. Scientists know the destructive force of science when used in the wrong way. A person having complete knowledge on a particular subject or topic can deliver the goods effortlessly.


He can speak fearlessly because he knows what he is dealing with. Of course, one cannot master everything in life or become experts in all subjects. But, one has to make it a point to learn something completely before imparting knowledge to others.

3. Why is having little knowledge dangerous?

The essay “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing” tells us that when a person has very little knowledge, people around him take advantage of him. Also, people with little knowledge feel pompous about them and think that they are superior to the people who have more knowledge. This makes them shut their doors close to the new things coming up around them. Having little knowledge in one’s profession will lead them downhill. For example, a doctor who does not know how to perform surgery properly might end up causing death. Similarly, a driver without complete knowledge about driving, local rules and regulations will cause loss to several people or end up paying huge fines. So, the essay tells us that one should have all the knowledge required to continue their chosen profession and also should have minimum knowledge about things happening in their surroundings.

4. How can we improve our knowledge?

Knowledge is one such thing that never ends. No matter how much we know about something, there is always at least a grain left. This is why many great thinkers and philosophers claim that they know only a minute part or sometimes nothing. Earlier, knowledge was gained from the teacher also known as the guru and it was passed on to the student also known as shisha. This knowledge was not only academic but also included life lessons. As the times changed, the particulars changed and many kings had patronized great thinkers in their courts. They obtained knowledge from the thinkers. Later, modern-day schools emerged to teach the students things needed to earn a livelihood and also taught some moral values and life lessons. We can gain knowledge irrespective of our age, place, time from books. They are an important source to look into the depths of any topic. As technology changes, we can also gain a lot of knowledge from the internet. However, there is a part of knowledge that has to be explored by oneself. This can be done when we start questioning things happening around us and also the unknown things that we encounter.

5. What is the gist of this essay “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing”?

The above article is an essay on  “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. It tells us how people with little knowledge overestimate themselves and feel that they know everything. But in reality, people who know more than these people remain silent about the knowledge they have accumulated but share their knowledge to the possible extent. The essay also tells us what are the ill effects when a professional does not know completely about his occupation and yet continues to practice it without trying to improve himself. In the last, the essay concludes by saying how it is important to develop inquisitiveness to gain more and more knowledge.