The way to see what looks good and understand the reasons it looks good, and to be at one with this goodness as the work proceeds, is to cultivate an inner quietness, a peace of mind so that goodness can shine through.
Robert M. PirsigRead
We take a handful of sand from the endless landscape of awareness around us and call that handful of sand the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that our perception of the world is limited and subjective, merely a small part of a much larger reality.
Robert M. Pirsig's quote illustrates the idea that human understanding and awareness are significantly constrained, comparing our knowledge of the vast complexities of existence to merely taking a handful of sand from an infinite desert. It emphasizes that what we consider to be 'the world' is just a small fragment of the greater truth and reality that lies beyond our perception. This reminds us to be humble about our insights and to remain open to the greater mysteries of life.
Themes
AwarenessPerceptionRealityUnderstandingPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture on consciousness, you could introduce this quote to discuss the limits of human perception.
More from Robert M. Pirsig
All quotes βWhen analytic thought, the knife, is applied to experience, something is always killed in the process.
Robert M. PirsigRead
The Buddha resides as comfortably in the circuits of a digital computer or the gears of a cycle transmission as he does at the top of a mountain.
Robert M. PirsigRead
It's better not to see than to see wrongly.
Robert M. PirsigRead
The truth knocks on the door and you say, go away, I'm looking for the truth, and it goes away. Puzzling.
Robert M. PirsigRead
You want to know how to paint a perfect painting? It's easy. Make yourself perfect and then just paint naturally.
Robert M. PirsigRead
Similar quotes
All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.
Friedrich NietzscheRead
Civilization has ceased to be that delicate flower which was preserved and painstakingly cultivated in one or two sheltered areas of a soil rich in wild species ... Mankind has opted for monoculture; it is in the process of creating a mass civilization, as beetroot is grown in the mass. Henceforth, man's daily bill of fare will consist only of this one item.
Claude Levi-StraussRead
People who have been wronged will attempt to right the wrong; they would not be people if they didn't. They can rarely afford to be scrupulous about the means they will use. They will use such means as come to hand. Neither, in the main, will they distinguish one oppressor from another, nor see through to the root principle of their oppression.
James A. BaldwinRead
Leisure is not synonymous with time. Nor is it a noun. Leisure is a verb. I leisure. You leisure.
Mortimer AdlerRead
I have not asked for life._x000D_ But I try to accept whatever_x000D_ life brings without surprise._x000D_ And I shall depart again without having_x000D_ questioned anyone about my strange_x000D_ stay here on earth.
Omar KhayyamRead
Robin turned and looked straight into her. "What's life for?" "I don't know." "I don't either. But I don't think it's about winning.
Jonathan FranzenRead