Real knowledge, like every thing else of the highest value, is not to be obtained so easily. It must be worked for, β studied for, β thought for, β and more than all, it must be prayed for.
Thomas ArnoldRead
Real knowledge, like everything else of value, is not to be obtained easily. It must be worked for, studied for, thought for, and, more that all, must be prayed for.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Real knowledge requires effort and dedication to attain.
This quote emphasizes that true knowledge is not something that is handed to us; rather, it is a treasure that demands hard work, deep contemplation, and even spiritual reflection. It suggests that gaining knowledge involves various stages of effort, including studying, thinking critically, and seeking guidance or wisdom through prayer or introspection.
Themes
KnowledgeEducationEffortWisdomPrayer
In practice
Example use cases
In a lecture about the importance of education, I might say, 'As Thomas Arnold once said, real knowledge is not to be obtained easily; it requires dedication and effort.'
More from Thomas Arnold
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There's a richness that reading gives you, an opportunity to probe more than any other medium I know of. Reading is about not being content with the surface.
Maryanne WolfRead
Once a day, especially in the early years of life and study, call yourselves to an account what new ideas, what new proposition or truth you have gained, what further confirmation of known truths, and what advances you have made in any part of knowledge.
Isaac WattsRead
Knowledge has to be improved, challenged, and increased constantly, or it vanishes.
Peter DruckerRead
Our message to parents is to focus on the process the child engages in, such as trying hard or focusing on the task - what specific things they're doing rather than, 'You're so smart. You're so good at this.' Although it's never too late to change, what you do early matters.
Carol S. DweckRead
I miss the reference section at the library. I used to go there twice a week on missions. Now everywhere's a research library and I can't get an elitist kick from it any more.
Douglas CouplandRead
Whatever the intellectual quality of the education given our children, it is vital that it include elements of love and compassion, for nothing guarantees that knowledge alone will be truly useful to human beings.
Dalai LamaRead