“Ancient metal workers had no need to understand the molecular and submolecular complexities of their steel, bronze, copper, gold, and tin.”
Frank Herbert, Heretics of Dune
Perfectionism cripples progress. When we seek to solve problems, we need to understand the boundaries and specifications at hand. A blacksmith told to make horseshoes has no need to understand the behavior of quantum particles—knowledge over a thousand years old does the trick. Knowledge for knowledges sake is problematic because there is no real end—we must put it to use, internalize it. Consider knowledge not as a trove of treasure to hoard but as a bow that requires proper aim.
Before embarking on any effort, ask yourself: where do you wish to go? What purpose will it serve? Otherwise, we’ll be caught spinning our wheels over and over as we “prepare” for a destination never to be reached.