--- title: "Knowledge and Wisdom: sense of proportion" subject: "Communication English" chapter: 2 key: "semester_5/communication_english:sense-of-proportion-knowledge-wisdom" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/sense-of-proportion-knowledge-wisdom site: BCT Engineering --- # Knowledge and Wisdom: sense of proportion Communication English · Chapter 2: Extensive Reading - Asked in: 2073 Shrawan, 5 marks; 2075 Chaitra, 5 marks (asked 2 times) - Video: [Knowledge and Wisdom Summary in Nepali | By Bertrand Russell | NEB | Class 12 C.English #elopeeth](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7acr2goNGHc) — ELOPEETH - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_5/communication_english/sense-of-proportion-knowledge-wisdom - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_5/communication_english/chapter-2 ## Question What do you mean by a sense of proportion? (Knowledge and Wisdom) ## Short answer A sense of proportion is the ability to consider all important factors in a problem and give each its due weight, not exaggerating immediate or personal matters. It requires a broad, impartial outlook and frees one from the tyranny of the here and now, guiding knowledge toward human good. ## Answer In "Knowledge and Wisdom", Bertrand Russell says that wisdom requires a sense of proportion. By this he means the ability to take account of all the important factors in a problem and to give each one its due weight, instead of being swayed by a single narrow aspect. #### Meaning - A person with a sense of proportion sees the whole situation, not merely a part. - He does not exaggerate the importance of immediate or personal matters and does not neglect those that are distant or less visible. - He gives right weight to knowledge, feelings and consequences. #### Why it matters - **Specialists.** A specialist knows his own field very well but may ignore the effects of his work on human life as a whole. A scientist or technician without this sense may produce things that are harmful. - **Public affairs.** In politics and technology, decisions affect many people. Only one who considers all factors can judge wisely. - **Private life.** A wise person does not allow small troubles to dominate his life, because he sees them as small compared with the whole. #### Relation to wisdom Russell connects it with a comprehensive vision and freedom from the "tyranny of the here and the now". The wise person's outlook is broad and impartial. Therefore, as knowledge and skill increase, a sense of proportion becomes more necessary to guide their use for human good. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. What does Russell mean by a sense of proportion? A. Having specialised knowledge of one field B. Treating every factor as equally important C. Giving each important factor in a problem its due weight, rather than one narrow aspect D. Following immediate personal interests Answer: C. It is the ability to see the whole situation and weigh all important factors properly. (Key point: Meaning) 2. Why does a specialist without a sense of proportion become dangerous? A. He may ignore the effects of his work on human life as a whole B. He knows too little about his own field C. He refuses to use technology D. He becomes too cautious to act Answer: A. Narrow focus can lead a scientist or technician to produce harmful things. (Key point: Specialists) 3. How does a sense of proportion help in private life? A. It removes all troubles B. It makes one ignore all personal matters C. Small troubles are seen as small compared with the whole and do not dominate D. It increases specialised skill Answer: C. A wise person puts small troubles in perspective. (Key point: Private life) 4. Why does Russell say a sense of proportion becomes more necessary as knowledge and skill grow? A. It guides the use of growing power for human good B. Because knowledge makes people forget facts C. Because skill replaces judgement D. Because it reduces the need for education Answer: A. Greater power needs a broad, impartial outlook to direct it. (Key point: Link with wisdom) ## Related in Communication English - [Russell: wisdom more necessary with knowledge](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Arussell-wisdom-more-necessary) — Communication English, chapter 2, asked 2× - [Difference between knowledge and wisdom](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Adifference-knowledge-and-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2 - [Knowledge without wisdom makes education futile](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Amere-knowledge-without-wisdom-futile) — Communication English, chapter 2 - [Interpret: wisdom and emancipation (Russell)](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Ainterpret-wisdom-emancipation) — Communication English, chapter 1 - [Features contributing to wisdom](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Afeatures-contributing-to-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2 - [Difference between impartiality and wisdom](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fcommunication_english%3Adifference-impartiality-and-wisdom) — Communication English, chapter 2 ## Related in other subjects - [Sampling distribution of proportion; parameter vs statistic](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_5%2Fprobability_and_statistics%3Aparameter-vs-statistic-sampling-proportion) — Probability and Statistics, chapter 4 - [Data mining and business knowledge](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Finformation_system%3Adata-mining-business-knowledge) — Information System, chapter 4 - [Project management body of knowledge](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fict_project_management%3Adefine-pmbok) — ICT Project Management, chapter 2