"La sagesse apparaît-elle peut-être sur terre sous la forme d'un corbeau inspiré par l'odeur de la charogne ?"

This quote is suggesting that wisdom may show up in unlikely places or under grim circumstances. It uses the metaphor of a raven, a bird often associated with death and decay, to imply that wisdom might emerge in situations that seem dark or unpleasant at first glance.

Historically, this idea may come from times when people, reflecting on difficult experiences, found that they learned the most from their hardships. It's relevant because it challenges the notion that wisdom only comes from positive or traditionally "enlightened" sources. Instead, it proposes that true insight often comes from facing the harsh realities of life.

Think about the story of Steve Jobs—he was famously fired from Apple, the company he co-founded. This event could be seen as the "carrion" of his career. However, during the time away from Apple, he founded NeXT and acquired Pixar, both incredibly successful ventures. When he eventually returned to Apple, he brought a level of wisdom and renewed perspective that arguably led Apple to become the tech giant it is today. His experience with failure and subsequent success underscores the idea that wisdom can grow from the decayed remnants of our biggest setbacks.

So how do you apply this in your own life? First, don't shy away from tough situations or failures. Those moments might be the ravens bringing wisdom your way. When things go wrong, take a step back and ask yourself what you can learn from what's happened. Reflect on the experience honestly. It's not about being overly critical of yourself—it's about understanding the deeper lessons that emerge from difficulties.

Now, imagine you just bombed a big presentation at work. You feel like you've let everyone down, and you're dreading the feedback. But instead of wallowing in the disappointment, you decide to analyze what happened. Maybe you realize you didn't practice enough, or you didn't know your audience as well as you should have. By digging into the "carrion" of your presentation, you find the wisdom hidden within. Next time, you prepare better, anticipate your audience's needs, and you nail it. The initial failure becomes the foundation of your future success.

This concept is super relatable if you think about your own life. Remember that time you studied really hard for an exam but still didn't do as well as you hoped? It’s easy to get discouraged. But if you look at it from the perspective of this quote, there's something to be learned. Maybe you figure out that your study methods need tweaking, or that you need to manage your time better. The "raven" in this situation is the realization that your approach needs adjustment—and that can be just the wisdom you need to do better next time.

In essence, don't fear the dark or ugly parts of your journey. Embrace them, and look for the wisdom they bring. It's there, even if it seems hidden among the ruins.