Neither of Us the Wiser

How oft have you been asked

A question you could not answer

And when you shared your ignorance

There was laughter as well as banter?

Your interrogator had expected then

That the answer you should know,

He may not have known the answer

But he never let it show.

If you had supplied the answer

He would have come to know it too

But neither of you became the wiser

Since he was trying to outsmart you.

If information was readily shared

We would be much further along

The path that leads to more knowledge

And you and I would both be strong.

But instead we pretend to know

Or hide that which we do

Then try to get what another has

With selfishness blocking our view.

The purpose of this poem is simple

And very short it will be

So when you hear the advice it offers

Adjust your thinking speedily.

If we share with one another

The knowledge that we have gained

We would all be the wiser for it

And the more knowledge we would retain.

But if we try to deprive another

Of the knowledge we possess

Neither of us would be the wiser

And we’d rob each other of our best.

So that next time you’re asked a question

And of the answer you are sure

Share it with the other person

And together you’ll be learning more.

Stewart Russell © October 2017