“Cunning... is but the low mimic of wisdom.”

Simplified Meaning:

Being cunning means trying to outsmart others through deception or trickery, but this isn't the same as true wisdom. Wisdom involves making thoughtful decisions based on experience, knowledge, and understanding. Imagine a student who cheats on a test to get a good grade. They might seem smart at first because they get a high score, but in reality, they haven't learned anything useful. In contrast, a wise student studies hard, understands the material, and genuinely learns, which benefits them in the long run. Being wise is about making choices that are good and honest, rather than just clever and sneaky. Wise decisions build trust and respect, whereas cunning might lead to temporary gains but often results in long-term problems.