To learn a new language is, therefore, always a sort of spiritual adventure; it is like a journey of discovery in which we find a new world.
Ernst CassirerRead
Man is always inclined to regard the small circle in which he lives as the center of the world and to make his particular, private life the standard of the universe and to make his particular, private life the standard of the universe. But he must give up this vain pretense, this petty provincial way of thinking and judging.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Humans often see their personal experiences as the most significant, but should strive for a broader perspective.
This quote by Ernst Cassirer highlights the tendency of individuals to view their immediate surroundings and personal lives as the most important aspects of existence. It warns against the narrow-mindedness of equating one's limited experiences to universal truths, encouraging a more expansive viewpoint that acknowledges the richness and diversity of human experience beyond one's own life.
Themes
PerspectiveUnderstandingLifeExperienceUniverse
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about empathy, one might quote this to illustrate the importance of understanding different life experiences.
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All quotes →Knowledge of the name gives him who knows it mastery even over the being and will of the god.
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