All imperfection is easier to tolerate if served up in small doses.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
I've reached the age of self-knowledge, so I don't know anything. People who claim that they know something are responsible for most of the fuss in the world.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True self-knowledge involves recognizing the limits of one's own understanding.
Wislawa Szymborska's quote reflects on the profound nature of self-awareness and the paradox of knowledge. By acknowledging that not knowing is a form of wisdom, she emphasizes that many of the world's complications stem from individuals who are overly confident in their understanding. It suggests humility in the pursuit of knowledge and encourages an acceptance of uncertainty.
Themes
Self-KnowledgeWisdomIgnoranceHumilityUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a philosophy discussion about the nature of knowledge.
More from Wislawa Szymborska
All quotes βI started earning a living as a poet rather early on.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
But they know about us, they know, the four corners, and the chairs nearby us. Discerning shadows also know, and even the table keeps quiet.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
I prefer the absurdity of writing poems to the absurdity of not writing poems.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
Every beginning is only a sequel, after all, and the book of events is always open halfway through.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
I cannot imagine any writer who would not fight for his peace and quiet.
Wislawa SzymborskaRead
Similar quotes
In many spheres of human endeavor, from science to business to education to economic policy, good decisions depend on good measurement.
Ben BernankeRead
If you want to cultivate a habit, do it without any reservation, till it is firmly established. Until it is so confirmed, until it becomes a part of your character, let there be no exception, no relaxation of effort.
MahaviraRead
The struggle ends when the gratitude begins. The search is over when the finding starts. And the finding is not a finding at all, but a creating. You cannot find what you have been struggling for, but you can create it. And the jump-start of creation is gratitude.
Neale Donald WalschRead
It is one of the oldest maxims of moral prudence: Do not, by aspiring to what is impracticable, lose the opportunity of doing the good you can effect!
William GodwinRead
The world has long observed that small acts of immorality, if repeated, will destroy character. It is equally manifest, though never said, that uttering nonsense and half-truth without cease ends by destroying Intellect
Jacques BarzunRead
I think a lot of people, even Christians, are willing to be satisfied with gaining lots and lots of biblical knowledge - and many people go to Bible studies and don't realize it isn't enough to know what's right, it's applying the information and the knowledge that you have.
Charles StanleyRead