An apology offered and, equally important, received is a step towards reconciliation and, sometimes, recompense. Without that process, hurts can rankle and fester and erupt into their own hatreds and wrongdoings.
We mistake being able to get lots of information from everywhere very quickly with actually getting knowledge.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Access to information does not guarantee true understanding or knowledge.
In today's world, where information is abundant and easily accessible, it's important to distinguish between mere information and genuine knowledge. Margaret Macmillan emphasizes that just because we can quickly obtain a vast amount of data, it doesn't mean we have grasped or comprehended its significance, depth, or relevance. Knowledge requires discernment, context, and understanding, which goes beyond simply consuming facts or information.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a classroom discussion about the importance of critical thinking, this quote can be used to highlight the difference between information and knowledge.
More from Margaret Macmillan
All quotes βClimate change respects no borders.
War is a crucial, deeply ingrained part of human history. It has to be understood.
There was that argument that if we had more women in positions of authority, the world would be a nicer place. And then we got Golda Meir, Margaret Thatcher, Sirimavo Bandaranaike, Indira Gandhi. When women become acclimatised to war, they can become every bit as ruthless as men.
Theodore Roosevelt's policy to build a two-ocean navy confirmed that the old-style isolationism of the founders had not survived the modern, increasingly globalized world.
If we don't take responsibility for each other, it seems to me the future is going to be even bleaker.
Similar quotes
A teacher who establishes rapport with the taught, becomes one with them, learns more from them than he teaches them. He who learns nothing from his disciples is, in my opinion, worthless. Whenever I talk with someone I learn from him. I take from him more than I give him.
To have a vision of the cosmic plan, in which every form of life depends on directed movements which have effects beyond their conscious aim, is to understand the child's work and be able to guide it better.
I believe in women. I desire . . . to do those things that would advance women in moral and spiritual, as well as educational work.
Results show that just one year of chess tuition will improve a student's learning abilities, concentration, application, sense of logic, self-discipline, respect, behavior and the ability to take responsibility for his/her own actions.
I often say that research is a way of finding out what you are going to do when you can't keep on doing what you are doing now.
When you work with kids, especially, you want to be ready to turn the camera on at a moment's notice.