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A man must not swallow more beliefs than he can digest.
Havelock Ellis
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Interpretation

What this quote means

One should not take on more beliefs or ideas than they can properly understand and integrate.

In this quote, Havelock Ellis emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating the beliefs we adopt. Just like food, beliefs need to be digested and understood; if we take on too many without the ability to process them, we may become overwhelmed or confused. This underscores the value of discernment and personal understanding in forming one's worldview.

Themes

BeliefsWisdomUnderstandingDiscernmentLife

In practice

Example use cases

During a philosophical debate, to highlight the importance of thorough understanding before accepting new ideas.

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Quote by Havelock Ellis | QuoteProject