People instinctively recognize a hierarchy of values—sensual pleasures are good but not as valuable as career success; career success is good but not as valuable as friendship; friendship is good but not as valuable as wisdom; wisdom is not as valuable as justice; justice is not as valuable as holiness—and the best life is an 'ardent life' reaching upward toward higher things.
definitionpending
Speaker
David BrooksEvidence Quote
“We all sort of have instinctive sense that some things are higher and nobler than other things. That sensual pleasures are good, but they're probably not as valuable as career success...Friendship is really good, but it's probably not as noble as wisdom and knowledge...”
Source
How America Recovers from All This | Yale Conversations with David Brooks | Yale University— Yale Jackson School of Global AffairsCreated: 8/12/2026, 6:23:19 PM
My Notes
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