Scientia potentia est that with knowledge or education, one's potential or abilities in life will certainly increase. Having and sharing knowledge is widely recognized as the basis for improving one's reputation and influence, thus power. This phrase may also be used as a justification for a reluctance to share information when a person believes that withholding knowledge can deliver to that person some forms of advantage. Another interpretation is that the only true power is knowledge, as everything (including any achievement) is derived from it. Terry Brooks. "First King of Shannara" Ballantine. C. 1996 Scientia potentia est The phrase "scientia potentia est"" (or
De gustibus non est disputandum ancient Latin adage, i.e. Roman, and discussed by many philosophers and economists. The phrase is misquoted in Act I of Anton Chekhov's play "The Seagull". The character Shamrayev conflates it with the phrase "de mortuis nil nisi bonum" (in the alternate form: "de mortuis, aut bene aut nihil": "of the dead, either [speak] good or [say] nothing"), resulting in "de gustibus aut bene, aut nihil", "Let nothing be said of taste but what is good." De gustibus non est disputandum De gustibus non est disputandum, or de gustibus non disputandum est, is a Latin maxim meaning "In matters of taste,