The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-04-04
KNOWING TOO MUCH
IS A DRAWBACK
Persons Who Still Have Some.
thing to Learn PIeasanter
Company Than Learned

The disadvantages of knowing too
much have never been sufficiently dwelt
upon, even granting that not knowing
enough is more of a handicap in the
race of life. A few thoughts about
knowing too much were suggested to
the writer recently, not, however, that
the suggestion comes from personal ex-
perience of that trouble, but rather
from seeing a very learned person
speeches. because no one else knew
enough about a certain subject to dis
cuSs it with him. 1t then struck me
how much easier life is when one does
not know too much of thing to write
about it, or to discuss it with others
equally as little informed.
You often converse as much to find
out how much you know yourself about
a subject, as to be enlightened by 9TH
ers, for undoubtedly 1T is an advantage
TO put into words ideas that have been
hoatlng In your mind and never been
given expression. But take for in
stance the man who is an expert upon
some subject like psychology, or oc-
cultism: suppose he has studied, read
everything he could find pertaining to
IL, and was by way Of knowing all
there was to know about 1t. If he
should be in company with those of
mediocre attachments, or who had
Smattering of knowledge about it, he
would not only regard 1t as q waste of
time to talk with them but he would
be over their heads If he did discuss
1t. He must give them a monologue on
the topic next his heart If he talks at
all, which might bore them very much
and he possibly would not be able to
prevent that touch of pedantry in his
manner which would enrage his hear
ers. NOW the man who knew a little
OF the topic under discussion, and want
ed to know more. would come with an
open mind and desire to learn from
any one who discussed it.
1t Is always pleasanter to meet the
person who has something to learn
who does not know it all and who does
not glare at you when you attempt
pleasantly to discuss what you know
nothing about.
The same thing in writing. If YOU
know everything there is to know about
subject, the difficulty of writing an
on hand article becomes excessive. To
pick and choose between the different
phases OF a large subject, to find an
aspect Of 1t that will not be too techni-
cal for the casual reader, Is puzzling.
But If one knows little about 1t, it is
comparatively easy to write a readable
article. The man who knows 1t ALL
is also intolerant: it never occurs to
him that the opinion of a person who
has not made life study of his par
conversation he is dumb for the rea-
son that he fears his hearers may not
understand him.
Taken all in all, knowing a little is
more comfortable; above all, coming to
this conclusion is immensely consoling.
There is always the hope of learning
more il one thinks there is more to
learn. The man who feels that he has
exhausted subject, however has his
compenSations. To be master of thing
is pleasant. For instance, it must be
agreeable to Paderewski to be sure
there is no one anywhere who plays the
piano better than he, but he has not
that same incentive to live that the en-
bryo pianist has who still has worlds
TO conquer. In conversation It Is ex-
ceedingly pleasant to meet q person
who doesn't know 1t all; for conversing
should be give and take sort Of thing,
not series of proclamations as it is
apt TO become with the excessively
learned. Then, too, if one can meet
others on a level it makes everything
smoother.
Once in a while one meets a woman
who is oppressively erudite. You feel
like fool If you say it is a pleasant
day, because you are sure she would
not occupy her powerful mind with
anything SO trivial as weather. You
try to be Solemn-the very learned of
certain stripe always are-and you
try to think of something to say that
shows you are a little in the game
yourself. Ask her how logarithms are
this morning, or what she thinks of the
whichness Of the what, just to show
that you know a thing or two your
self
But for real enjoyment give one the
woman or man who does not know
everything, who occasionally hears of
something new, and acts as II the con-
Versation Of others was at times iIlumi-
mating. They wear better and make life
easier in the long run. Besides, as long
as one feels there is something vet to
learn, there is a certain excitement in
life, which must be totally lacking. to
those who know 1t ALL