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Modest doubt is called the beacon of the wise.
William Shakespeare
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Having a small amount of doubt can help guide wise decisions.

This quote suggests that a reasonable level of doubt can serve as a guiding light for those who are wise. It implies that questioning and being open to uncertainty are crucial for deeper understanding and better decision-making, as wisdom often comes from considering multiple perspectives and recognizing the limitations of one's knowledge.

Themes

DoubtWisdomGuidanceUnderstandingDecision-Making

In practice

Example use cases

In a classroom discussion about critical thinking, this quote can emphasize the importance of doubt in learning.

More from William Shakespeare

As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
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Love bears it out even to the edge of doom.
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Good company, good wine, good welcome, can make good people.
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Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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A little wisdom, now and then

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