The small wisdom is like water in a glass: clear, transparent, pure. The great wisdom is like the water in the sea: dark, mysterious, impenetrable.
Rabindranath TagoreRead
One who has never known the turbulence of life, in whom the petals of the mysterious flower within have never opened; such a one may seem happy, may seem a saint, his single track mind may impress the multitude with its power - but he is ill equipped for life's true adventure into the infinite.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True happiness comes from experiencing life's challenges and complexities.
In this quote, Tagore suggests that a person who has never faced difficulties may appear content and virtuous, yet they lack the depth and resilience that comes from navigating life's trials. Such individuals may impress others with their simplicity, but they are unprepared for the profound and limitless experiences that life has to offer.
Themes
LifeChallengesHappinessDepthExperience
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared in a motivational speech about overcoming obstacles in life.
More from Rabindranath Tagore
All quotes βMusic fills the infinite between two souls. This has been muffled by the mist of our daily habits.
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True deliverance of man is the deliverance from Avidya i.e. ignorance. It is not in destroying anything that is positive and real, for that cannot be possible, but that which is negative, which obstructs our vision of truth.
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The same stream of life that runs through my veins night and day runs through the world and dances in rhythmic measures. It is the same life that shoots in joy through the dust of the earth in numberless blades of grass and breaks into tumultuous waves of leaves and flowers.
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If you cry because the sun has gone out of your life, your tears will prevent you from seeing the stars.
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To be outspoken is easy when you do not wait to speak the complete truth.
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