Weather is a literary specialty, and no untrained hand can turn out a good article on it
Mark TwainRead
The older we grow the greater becomes our wonder at how much ignorance one can contain without bursting one's clothes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
As we age, we realize how much we don't know despite our experiences.
Mark Twain's quote highlights the paradox of growing older; it's common to accumulate knowledge, yet with age, one often becomes painfully aware of the vastness of what remains unknown. This realization can lead to a sense of wonder and humility about the limits of one's understanding.
Themes
WisdomIgnoranceKnowledgeAgingHumility
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech at a graduation ceremony to emphasize lifelong learning.
More from Mark Twain
All quotes βThe easy part of being an artist is figuring out the message that everyone else is ready to hear. The hard part is waiting for the proper lull to make the announcement.
Mark TwainRead
You can't reason with your heart; it has its own laws, and thumps about things which the intellect scorns.
Mark TwainRead
To be good is noble; but to show others how to be good is nobler and no trouble.
Mark TwainRead
Name the greatest of all inventors. Accident.
Mark TwainRead
In Paris they just simply opened their eyes and stared when we spoke to them in French! We never did succeed in making those idiots understand their own language.
Mark TwainRead
Similar quotes
Wisdom is nothing but a preparation of the soul, a capacity, a secret art of thinking, feeling and breathing thoughts of unity at every moment of life.
Hermann HesseRead
A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties.
Harry S. TrumanRead
God gives us not only the truth but also the ability to believe it; not only the new thing to see but also the new eye to see it with.
Peter KreeftRead
Simplicity and sincerity generally go hand in hand, as both proceed from a love of truth.
Mary WollstonecraftRead
Though age from folly could not give me freedom, It does from childishness.
William ShakespeareRead
Looking back, we were the luckiest people in the world. There was no choice but to be pioneers; no time to be beginners.
Margaret H. HamiltonRead