An excellent plumber is infinitely more admirable than an incompetent philosopher. The society which scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is 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.
—John Gardner
Do you think our society has that problem now?
February 21, 2021
I LOVE it!! Everyone has their own attributes and is valuable in some way. Especially those who are fixers and helpers!!
Yes!
I love what Ginny has said! now if everybody would just live as though they believed that!
Yes. 🙂
I’ve never heard this quote and I love its message. I think society can and does sometimes make people feel less than they are, depending on their education, and sometimes even the place where they live or are from. But if you love what you do, and do it well, should it matter? I graduated from college with a degree in education and look at me, after college I never set foot in a classroom, because through a crazy series of events, teeth became my life and I’ve never regretted it!
I agree! 🙂
Excellent quote.
🙂
It’s a good quote but I don’t think this time is different from many other times in history.
I agree, but that doesn’t mean we can’t push to make things better. Apparently Denmark was rated the happiest country in the world for so many years partly because people weren’t judged socially by the jobs they held.
Great quote! I do think the pendulum has begun to ‘right’ itself in the last few years. And recent events underscore something I saw on Facebook this morning: “Remember right now that the truckers of this nation (and linemen) are basically the calvary. This world runs on more than college degrees.”
Good! I think that idea will spread now that so many college grads wind up with massive amounts of debt.
I collect quotes but this is a new one for me….and I love it! I was talking to my 17 yr. old grandson about this recently. It seems we are having fewer skilled laborers these days and what a shame! We need plumbers, bricklayers, construction workers, welders, etc., etc., etc. My son banks a welder that brings in BIG money!!! Not everyone is cut out for college nor should they be made to feel like they have to go. And as for philosophy and philosophers…well, I agree with the quote. Seems to be today there is too much philosophising (is that a word) about senseless stuff and not enough hard work going on.
I agree, the pressure on kids to go to college has been so damaging. So many of them wind up in low paying jobs with tons of debt.
I think that during this current pandemic – many people have suddenly discovered that “trades” are actually the specialised essential worker! And that many of them are not being paid a “living wage” and they have been under pressure to be “at work” – still trying to be “nice to everyone” – “long hours” – including why there is no stock of some product…etc
Yes the philosopher is needed but not “in your face” maybe someone not quite that academic has the answers that are needed right now – a tradesperson who has been many years in one particular kind of business and has the experience versus the theory.
I hope it ends up with them getting more respect and a living wage. Fingers crossed.
I immediately think of Mike Rowe
He’s been saying this forever
There’s dignity in a job well done
He’s trying to show how needed and honorable a job in trades is and how we’d be lost without them.
When I was very young, my mother told us kids that no one was better than us. We are all equal. I’ve never thought otherwise. I’ve had friends who became doctors, dentists, CEO’s, waitresses, housewives, teachers, mechanics and many other careers. And to me, we are
still the same silly kids that hung out together.
I’ve always thought that those who are happy and kind to others are the most successful people .
Cindi,
I couldn’t agree more!
Great quote, Jean. If you substitute ‘bureaucrat’ or ‘politician’ for ‘philosopher’ it all makes sense. That just might be what is wrong with the problems facing us today—and that includes the popular approaches to covid. After all, who is making the rules? And how are they working for us?
What do you think they should have done instead? Certainly our former administration pretending it doesn’t exist made things a lot worse here, but apparently Canada is having big problems too.
Very possibly.
🙂
I think society has always thought this from the beginning of time and will until the end of time.. I like dianes substitute names. i need a plumber now, am dreading the chore of getting things done even with a good one
Good luck! I would dread that too.
Amen. Wise words.
🙂
It seems our society only values work done with the brain… and not the hands. I have never understood that. Never will. ~Andrea xoxo
It doesn’t value most people who think a lot either. It calls them nerds and geeks. 🙁
I could write a book but I won’t…I do often think it is the ‘little guy’ that keeps the world turning. I often think that politicians should have to work at the jobs of the common person and live on their wages…for a few years…maybe they would think twice about some of the laws they pass.
They’re more concerned about getting re-elected, and that takes boatloads of money. 🙁
Indeed. And society also tolerates shoddiness in politics because politics is an exalted activity. Unfortunately we can’t hold politicians to account as easily as we can the lone plumber who fixes our plumbing.
I’m not sure people think of politics as exalted. Here politicians are more apt to be thought of as scumbags.