There’s a powerful line in Plato’s Protagoras about what happens when we learn something new.
Socrates, speaking to a young man named Hippocrates, says:
“Once you have learned something, you must go your way, having been either harmed or benefited” (314b).
I love that line because it reminds us of a simple truth: once we learn something, we can’t unlearn it. Ideas change us. And not every idea changes us for the better.
Imagine reading a book that makes bold claims about your health—claims that are unfounded or inaccurate. You’ve still learned something, but now that “knowledge” may lead you to make harmful decisions.
Or maybe you read a book about a political ideology written by someone with an agenda. Without realizing it, their bias becomes your framework for thinking, regardless of how well-researched or balanced their arguments actually are.
Socrates’ point is worth remembering: learning is never neutral. Every idea we absorb shapes us—either for good or for harm.
That’s why choosing what we read matters so much.
What do I mean by better books?
I mean books written by people who know their subject well—authors who build careful arguments, acknowledge complexity, and support their claims with meaningful research.
Of course, even thoughtful books can be wrong. No book is infallible. But as readers, we can hold ourselves to a higher standard. We can seek out work that demonstrates intellectual honesty, balanced thinking, and evidence-based reasoning.
Because every time we open a book, we’re not just gathering information—we’re allowing ideas to shape who we become.
As always, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
