Knowledge is power only if applied.

By Murli Chari

It is an old aphorism that knowledge is power. This needs to be amended and put as Knowledge is power if used and not otherwise. We have millions of people who have immense knowledge but do not apply them in practical life. There is no point in going on acquiring knowledge and not putting it to practical use. The very reason we acquire knowledge is take immense benefit for ourselves and the greater good for others. Many of us pursue so many formal degrees but fail to make the most of it. Just imagine how much good will come to the human society if everyone makes use of the acquired knowledge. We need to understand the very objective of acquiring knowledge it to make use of in our lives. When there is a clarity well before acquiring knowledge that we need to put it to use then we learn with understanding. Most of us acquire formal degrees without knowledge only to secure jobs. Many of the students learn by rote and pass the exams rather than acquiring knowledge. That is the reason really intelligent students fail to get good marks. Getting good marks is the sole criterion rather than pursuit of knowledge. We all are squandering the greatest asset that is knowledge. Its time we all make it clear that we are going to use the acquired knowledge then only there would be a serious effort to acquire them. Now, the time has come to remove the greatest hurdle called examinations so that each one of us acquires knowledge and put it to good use rather than just acquire formal degrees. Every one flaunts fancy degrees just to impress others rather than making great use of knowledge. Knowledge is a double-edged knife it can kill others as well as ourselves. There is many empirical evidence of those who used their knowledge for the greater good. Dr. Abdul Kalam was an erudite scholar having a great repertoire of knowledge which was used for the betterment of human beings. Benjamin Franklin was endowed with great knowledge which he fully harnessed and put to the use of many people. There are many people who excel in knowledge but lack humility and integrity which are vital for deriving maximum benefit.

With the surfeit of knowledge now-a-days due to internet and google that we need to be careful in sifting grain from the chaff lest we accumulate useless knowledge. It is very much vital on what knowledge we acquire and use it for what purpose. We must make sure that we do not become a braggart. No doubt, knowledge is power if put to use but it should be for the greater good and not for evil purposes. Of late, knowledge is being abused to garner wealth resorting to devious and venal means. We all should make sure that knowledge does not create mayhem, devastation and carnage. We must add a caveat “Knowledge is power if applied for right reasons.”

Moral values, ethics, humanity, compassion, peace and love should be the guiding principles for use of knowledge. It should not be used for selfish purposes and creating mischief. Knowledge is a dynamite which can be either used for constructive or destructive purpose.

Knowledge blended with humility is one of the greatest virtues. If each one of us uses the accumulated knowledge for the benefit of ourselves and others we would have created a heaven on earth. Knowledge uses its value if not used. The more we put to use more the knowledge becomes formidable. It is like sharpening an axe. When we put knowledge to use it burgeons and decays if not used. We also forget whatever we have learnt if we do not use it. We need to create a congenial atmosphere to make full use of all the collective knowledge for the greater good. It is more like a seed which if planted, fertilized, watered, and bathed in sunlight will grow into a big tree. Let us all resolve to make the best use of knowledge. Many people accumulate knowledge but hardly make use and leave the world. Thus, die without putting their knowledge to good use.