Authors like cats because they are such quiet, lovable, wise creatures, and cats like authors for the same reasons.
Robertson DaviesRead
We tend to think human knowledge as progressive; because we know more and more, our parents and grandparents are back numbers. But a contrary theory is possible - that we simply recognize different things at different times and in different ways.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Human knowledge evolves, but it doesn't necessarily mean that previous generations lacked understanding; we just perceive knowledge differently over time.
Robertson Davies suggests that the perception of human knowledge as a linear progression may not be entirely accurate. Instead, he proposes that knowledge is not simply about acquiring facts or data but also about recognizing and interpreting information in various contexts throughout different times. This view implies that previous generations may have insights that are overlooked simply because our understanding has shifted rather than improved.
Themes
KnowledgeUnderstandingPerspectiveEvolutionRecognition
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture on history, one might use this quote to highlight how perspectives change over time.
More from Robertson Davies
All quotes →Pessimism is a very easy way out because it is a short view of life. If you look at what is happening around us today, you can't help but feel that life is a terrible complexity of problems. But if you look back a few thousand years, you realize that we have advanced fantastically. If you take a long view, I do not see how you can be pessimistic about the future of mankind.
Robertson DaviesRead
This is one of the cruelties of the theatre of life; we all think of ourselves as stars and rarely recognize it when we are indeed mere supporting characters or even supernumeraries.
Robertson DaviesRead
Everything matters. The Universe is approximately fifteen billion years old, and I swear that in all that time, nothing has ever happened that has not mattered, has not contributed in some way to the totality.
Robertson DaviesRead
The egotist is all surface; underneath is a pulpy mess and a lot of self-doubt. But the egoist may be yielding and even deferential in things he doesn't consider important; in anything that touches his core he is remorseless.
Robertson DaviesRead
The world is full of people whose notion of a satisfactory future is, in fact, a return to the idealized past.
Robertson DaviesRead
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