What did St. Bernanrd mean?

[catholicsuffer]

“There are some who desire knowledge merely for its own sake; and that is shameful curiosity. And there are others who desire to know, in order that they may themselves be known; and that is vanity, disgraceful too. Others again desire knowledge in order to acquire money or preferment by it; that too is a discreditable quest. But there are also some who desire knowledge, that they may build up the souls of others with it; and that is charity. Others, again, desire it that they may themselves be built up thereby; and that is prudence. Of all these types, only the last two put knowledge to the right use” (St. Bernard, Sermon on the Canticle of Canticles).

(This entry appears in the print edition of Saint of the Day.)

My question is this: What did Saint Bernard mean when he said that there are some who desire knowledge merely for its own sake; and that is shameful curiosity? I find this kind of odd.

 

[LilyM]

What’s difficult to understand about it? Learning and scholarship, like every other good (food, clothing, art and what have you) are never to be treated as ends in themselves or enjoyed merely for their own sake, but only attained and enjoyed to the extent that their attainment and enjoyment achieves God’s purposes and gives glory to Him.

If God has willed me to be a doctor, for example, and I use my medical knowledge to legitimately treat illness and relieve suffering, well and good and all glory to Him for it. If, however, I misuse that medical knowledge - for example to procure abortions for my patients, or to perform utterly needless cosmetic procedures on them, then that is sinful and a misuse of the gift of learning.

Similarly, if I am called to be a lawyer, rocket scientist or research biology, but choose to fill my head with useless nuggets of trivia (say, celebrity gossip or music or movie trivia) instead of knowledge that I could use to help others, and am content merely show off in front of them or entertain them by spouting useless facts, then that too is a misuse of my God-given mental faculties.

 

[catholicsuffer]

What’s difficult to understand about it? Learning and scholarship, like every other good (food, clothing, art and what have you) are never to be treated as ends in themselves or enjoyed merely for their own sake, but only attained and enjoyed to the extent that their attainment and enjoyment achieves God’s purposes and gives glory to Him.

If God has willed me to be a doctor, for example, and I use my medical knowledge to legitimately treat illness and relieve suffering, well and good and all glory to Him for it. If, however, I misuse that medical knowledge - for example to procure abortions for my patients, or to perform utterly needless cosmetic procedures on them, then that is sinful and a misuse of the gift of learning.

Similarly, if I am called to be a lawyer, rocket scientist or research biology, but choose to fill my head with useless nuggets of trivia (say, celebrity gossip or music or movie trivia) instead of knowledge that I could use to help others, and am content merely show off in front of them or entertain them by spouting useless facts, then that too is a misuse of my God-given mental faculties.

Hello LilyM, thank you for such a quick response. Guess what is really bothering me is the fact that I like to play the stock market. I give to charity but not that much. Saint Bernard says that Others again desire knowledge in order to acquire money or preferment by it; that too is a discreditable quest. So, am I doing wrong? I really do not see myself as doing something bad; after all, are we not responsible to save up money; I believe there was an illustration by Jesus where money was given to a couple of people to see what they done with it. Should I not try and invest my money and just give it all away all the time to charity?

 

[Thing]

“There are some who desire knowledge merely for its own sake; and that is shameful curiosity. And there are others who desire to know, in order that they may themselves be known; and that is vanity, disgraceful too. Others again desire knowledge in order to acquire money or preferment by it; that too is a discreditable quest. But there are also some who desire knowledge, that they may build up the souls of others with it; and that is charity. Others, again, desire it that they may themselves be built up thereby; and that is prudence. Of all these types, only the last two put knowledge to the right use” (St. Bernard, Sermon on the Canticle of Canticles).

(This entry appears in the print edition of Saint of the Day.)

My question is this: What did Saint Bernard mean when he said that there are some who desire knowledge merely for its own sake; and that is shameful curiosity? I find this kind of odd.

That they don’t intend to use it if they gain it? Knowledge is designed to be put to use?

Was he belonging to religous orders and giving a sermon to men in religous orders about religous things?

 

[Texas_Roofer]

Hello LilyM, thank you for such a quick response. Guess what is really bothering me is the fact that I like to play the stock market. I give to charity but not that much. Saint Bernard says that Others again desire knowledge in order to acquire money or preferment by it; that too is a discreditable quest. So, am I doing wrong? I really do not see myself as doing something bad; after all, are we not responsible to save up money; I believe there was an illustration by Jesus where money was given to a couple of people to see what they done with it. Should I not try and invest my money and just give it all away all the time to charity?

couple of things here 1) Back to LilyM’s example suppose a country can produce only 10 medical doctors per year, however half the students refuse to practice medicine! They only wanted the fame and power of the title. That is what Bernard is talking about.

#2) You may be miss understanding the talents story, which is the same subject. If you are playing the market for fame, wealth, or glory there is a problem. If you invest in the market to better society or family there is no problem. Separating when the family has even verses has excess is a tough decision. In the talents fable he who shared his talents was rewarded while he who hide (buried) his talent was punished.

 

[catholicsuffer]

couple of things here 1) Back to LilyM’s example suppose a country can produce only 10 medical doctors per year, however half the students refuse to practice medicine! They only wanted the fame and power of the title. That is what Bernard is talking about.

#2) You may be miss understanding the talents story, which is the same subject. If you are playing the market for fame, wealth, or glory there is a problem. If you invest in the market to better society or family there is no problem. Separating when the family has even verses has excess is a tough decision. In the talents fable he who shared his talents was rewarded while he who hide (buried) his talent was punished.

Perhaps, you are correct. I did indeed have a misunderstanding of the talents story, if you are correct and it seems you are. Maybe, the answer is that I should give a little more and not worry about building up wealth. When I get off of this boat, I will arrange that–let’s pray. Thanks for your help and do you have a reference of any kind on your constructive argument?

 

[catholicsuffer]

That they don’t intend to use it if they gain it? Knowledge is designed to be put to use?

Was he belonging to religous orders and giving a sermon to men in religous orders about religous things?

He may have been but I see all things which are of God directed towards my spirit.

Is that Celtic Literature which you are quoting, underneath your posts?

 

[Thing]

He may have been but I see all things which are of God directed towards my spirit.

Is that Celtic Literature which you are quoting, underneath your posts?

Yes. Celtic literature, its from the Second Battle of Moytura
Bres was King of the Tuatha De Danann but not so popular because he was not generous. Hospitality was extremely important. A traveller, a stranger, could walk into someones house and the owner would give them food and drink and a place to sleep without question or payment of any type. It was considered a serious disgrace by the householder if he for some reason had not food ready and available to any traveller who might pass, day or night.

"So Bres held the sovranty as it had been conferred upon him. But the chiefs of the Tuath Dé murmured greatly against him, for their knives were not greased by him, and however often they visited him their breaths did not smell of ale. "

ucc.ie/celt/online/T300011.html

I was just wondering about the St. Bernard, while there were many St. Bernards, I think, some at least I think were attached to Abbeys, and of course Abbeys have Rules for the monks which might appear in sermons to monks but might not in sermons to laypeople.
eg. a monk may be tempted to just study out of pure curiosity but also be tempted to slothfully, perhaps, not put his knowledge to use - whether in teaching or whatever. I’m just thinking randomly.

 

[catholicsuffer]

Yes. Celtic literature, its from the Second Battle of Moytura
Bres was King of the Tuatha De Danann but not so popular because he was not generous. Hospitality was extremely important. A traveller, a stranger, could walk into someones house and the owner would give them food and drink and a place to sleep without question or payment of any type. It was considered a serious disgrace by the householder if he for some reason had not food ready and available to any traveller who might pass, day or night.

"So Bres held the sovranty as it had been conferred upon him. But the chiefs of the Tuath Dé murmured greatly against him, for their knives were not greased by him, and however often they visited him their breaths did not smell of ale. "

ucc.ie/celt/online/T300011.html

I was just wondering about the St. Bernard, while there were many St. Bernards, I think, some at least I think were attached to Abbeys, and of course Abbeys have Rules for the monks which might appear in sermons to monks but might not in sermons to laypeople.
eg. a monk may be tempted to just study out of pure curiosity but also be tempted to slothfully, perhaps, not put his knowledge to use - whether in teaching or whatever. I’m just thinking randomly.

That is some interesting thoughts. For myself, I believe that when the Holy Spirit speaks it is directed toward all Christians. I think that a lot of theologians get into the side of putting their own opinions into their beliefs and in return a lot of people mistaken that as the works of the Holy Spirit. This is the reason I often seek the readings of Saints and Early Church Fathers. An example of this is once when I was attending a Catholic Mass a Deacon gave his seven points of what the readings meant. He was absolutely wrong because a quiet voice show me the seven points which I know was from the Holy Spirit. However, I am extremely aware that most people do not have those types of experiences and nor do I always at all times. But there is a particular event that happen which made this Saint of the Day Quote unsettle me and that is why I was debating the issue on this forum. Thank you for the contribution and feel free to debate. If I do not answer for a while it is because the boat which I am attached to has departed port for sea.