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Follow not truth too near the heels, lest it dash out thy teeth.
George Herbert
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Interpretation

What this quote means

One should be cautious in pursuing the truth, as it can sometimes lead to painful consequences.

This quote by George Herbert suggests that while seeking the truth is important, being overly zealous in that pursuit can result in negative outcomes. It serves as a reminder to tread carefully and wisely when delving into the complexities of truth, as relentlessly chasing it can lead to harm or disillusionment.

Themes

TruthWisdomCautionConsequencesPursuit

In practice

Example use cases

During a seminar on ethical journalism, one could use this quote to emphasize the importance of careful truth-seeking.

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There is an hour wherein a man might be happy all his life, could he find it.
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