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.'
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The business of education has lay[ed] the foundations for nurseries of wise and good men, to adapt our modes of teaching to the peculiar form of our government . . . . He must be taught to love his fellow creatures in every part of the world, but he must cherish with a more intense and peculiar affection the citizens of Pennsylvania and of the United States.
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I vowed to myself that when I grew up and became a theoretical physicist, in addition to doing research, I would write books that I would have liked to have read as a child. So whenever I write, I imagine myself, as a youth, reading my books, being thrilled by the incredible advances being made in physics and science.
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