Chapter IV

Among the pleasure seekers, there also exists a better class of people, though they too are devoted only to their physical desires. These are people that can grasp an intellectual matter, and are at least somewhat involved in matters of knowledge. They are therefore called "intellectuals." Yet their wisdom and intellect does not affect their actions; they are unlikely to act in a kindly manner, since their intellect does not refine their emotions.

In particular, their intellect does not affect their pride by making them humble. They believe there are none like them in the world, and that they alone possess intelligence and understanding. The possibility that others might possess a greater degree of comprehension simply does not enter their minds. All this is due to their pride. Their main source of haughtiness is the bit of understanding they possess in the particular branch of wisdom they study.

It is comparable to a pauper who is suddenly blessed with success and manages to become wealthy. His success fills him with haughtiness, and he becomes condescending even to the rich. So too with the person whose ego becomes swollen because of his small measure of knowledge.

He who is truly wise is modest in demeanor. He seeks knowledge from all who possess a keen intellect or fine emotional attributes, as is stated:1 "From all those who have taught me I have gained wisdom." The individual who earnestly desires to master a branch of knowledge seeks to learn from any wise person in possession of that knowledge. This is in accord with the condition and methods necessary to acquire knowledge.

The first condition is dedication to one's studies and devotion to one's teacher. The greater the dedication and devotion to one's studies and teacher, the better and deeper the comprehension of this branch of knowledge. So too, every concept that one learns should be mulled over a number of times until one is sure that he truly understands the concept. Only under such conditions can one properly acquire knowledge.

A haughty person, however, not only lacks knowledge, but his haughtiness is the source of jealousy, lust and the seeking of honor. Such people's intellect and desires are totally disparate. Ultimately their desires overwhelm them, causing them to lose even their intellect.

The essence of a human being is his ability to reason, for emotions are found among animals too. By using one's intellect, a person should be able to overcome and subdue his emotions, and surely his lusts. One who cannot control his desires, and like an animal devotes himself to physical pleasures, is even worse than an animal. It is these lowly people who scoff at those who study Torah, causing them pain and depression.

In summary: There are those who are haughty because of their knowledge or wealth. Truly, the more learned a person is, the humbler he should be. Those who are haughty and scoff at observers of Torah and mitzvos are lower than animals.