The entire world is my temple, and a very fine one too, if I'm not mistaken, and I'll never lack priests to serve it as long as there are men.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
What difference is there, do you think, between those in Plato's cave who can only marvel at the shadows and images of various objects, provided they are content and don't know what they miss, and the philosopher who has emerged from the cave and sees the real things?
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote contrasts ignorance and enlightenment, suggesting that awareness of reality brings a richer understanding of life.
Erasmus draws a parallel between individuals who are unaware of the broader truths of existence, like the prisoners in Plato's cave who only see shadows, and those who have experienced enlightenment, akin to the philosopher who leaves the cave to see the true forms of reality. This reflection on knowledge and understanding emphasizes the difference between a content ignorance and an awareness that comes with exploration and insight.
Themes
PlatoCaveEnlightenmentKnowledgeTruthPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared in a philosophy class to provoke discussion about knowledge and reality.
More from Desiderius Erasmus
All quotes →When I get a little money I buy books; and if any is left I buy food and clothes.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
You'll see certain Pythagorean whose belief in communism of property goes to such lengths that they pick up anything lying about unguarded, and make off with it without a qualm of conscience as if it had come to them by law.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
[N]o party is any fun unless seasoned with folly.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
If you look at history you'll find that no state has been so plagued by its rulers as when power has fallen into the hands of some dabbler in philosophy or literary addict.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
Fortune favours the audacious.
Desiderius ErasmusRead
Similar quotes
Not even the lichen of the tundra is at peace. All is struggle, all is war for dominance. Those who lose, vanish. -And we’re no different you’re saying- We are, soldier. We possess the privilege of choice. The gift of foresight. Though often we come too late in acknowledging responsibilities….
Steven EriksonRead
There are more dead people than living. And their numbers are increasing. The living are getting rarer.
Eugene IonescoRead
There is no longer a single idea explaining everything, but an infinite number of essences giving a meaning to an infinite number of objects. The world comes to a stop, but also lights up.
Albert CamusRead
God is far more willing to save sinners than sinners are to be saved.
J. C. RyleRead
Every day, I absorb countless data bits through emails, phone calls, and articles; process the data; and transmit back new bits through more emails, phone calls, and articles. I don't really know where I fit into the great scheme of things and how my bits of data connect with the bits produced by billions of other humans and computers.
Yuval Noah HarariRead
I stood beside Van Helsing, and said;- "Ah, well, poor girl, there is peace for her at last. It is the end!" He turned to me, and said with grave solemnity:- "Not so; alas! not so. It is only the beginning!
Bram StokerRead