I knew you could know the words but not match them with the life. But to be able to do it right said something about you. And I didn't know if my judgment was good enough, or exactly what was good or bad. Though there must be times, I thought, when there was no right thing to know, just as there were times when there was no right thing to do.
In Richard Ford's "Wildlife," the speaker reflects on the complex relationship between knowledge and experience. They recognize that understanding words doesn't necessarily translate to living by them, implying that true wisdom comes from the ability to connect one's life to the principles one professes. This realization signifies sophisticated judgment, but it also raises uncertainty about the nature of good and bad judgment in such situations.
The speaker grapples with the notion that there may be instances where the distinction between what is right to know or do is unclear. This complexity suggests that life is not always black and white; there are moments when no clear answers exist, emphasizing the challenges of navigating moral and ethical dilemmas. Ultimately, the passage reveals a deep contemplation on the intricacies of human experience and decision-making.
