The quote “I had rather fashion my mind than furnish it” revolves around the idea of valuing the process of thinking and understanding over merely gathering information. It suggests that having a mind filled with random facts is less valuable than having a mind trained to think critically, analyze, and form unique ideas.
in other words, its not about how much you no but how well you can use what you know. furnishing your mind refers to memorizing or accumulating knowledge without fully understanding or applying it. In contrast,fashioning your mind means shaping or molding it in such a way that enhances its ability to reason,comprehend and innovate.
This concept is highly relevant in today’s world where we are inundated with information from various sources like social media, news outlets etc. The ability to sift through this vast amount of data, discern fact from fiction and draw meaningful conclusions is more crucial than ever before.
in terms of personal advancement too, this idea holds great importance. Instead of focusing on learning as many skills as possible or acquiring vast amounts of knowledge in different areas, one might focus on honing their critical thinking abilities and problem-solving skills. This could mean practicing mindfulness to improve concentration levels; reading widely to understand different perspectives; engaging in debates/discussions to appreciate diverse viewpoints; or solving puzzles/games that stimulate cognitive functions.
Thus by ‘fashioning’ our minds rather of merely ‘furnishing’ them we can better navigate the complexities of life both professionally and personally.
