When the sage points at the moon, all that the idiot sees is the finger.
Anthony De MelloRead
The seeker says, "I do not know." That takes honesty. The master says, "I do not know." That takes a mystic's mind that knows things through non-knowing. The disciple says, "I know." That takes ignorance, in the form of borrowed knowledge.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the value of genuine understanding and the humility in admitting one's ignorance.
In this quote, Anthony De Mello contrasts three perspectives on knowledge: the honest admission of not knowing, the mystical awareness that transcends conventional knowledge, and the false certainty found in borrowed knowledge. It emphasizes that true wisdom comes from recognizing the limits of one's understanding and being open to deeper insights beyond superficial information.
Themes
WisdomKnowledgeIgnoranceHonestyUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
In a classroom discussion about the nature of knowledge, this quote could illustrate the importance of humility in learning.
More from Anthony De Mello
All quotes →Perfect love casts out fear. Where there is love there are no demands, no expectations, no dependency. I do not demand that you make me happy; my happiness does not lie in you. If you were to leave me, I will not feel sorry for myself; I enjoy your company immensely, but I do not cling.
Anthony De MelloRead
The master never seemed to have his fill of gazing at his firstborn child. "What do you want him to be when he grows up?" someone asked. "Outrageously happy," said the master.
Anthony De MelloRead
The genius of a composer is found in the notes of his music; but analyzing the notes will not reveal his genius. The poet's greatness is contained in his words; yet the study of his words will not disclose his inspiration. God reveals himself in creation; but scrutinize creation as minutely as you wish, you will not find God, any more than you will find the soul through careful examination of your body.
Anthony De MelloRead
What is a loving heart? A loving heart is sensitive to the whole of life, to all persons; a loving heart doesn't harden itself to any persons or things.
Anthony De MelloRead
Problems only exist in the human mind.
Anthony De MelloRead
Similar quotes
If you yearn for holy felicity, _x000D_ shed your arrogance and Become A Seeker Of Hearts.
RumiRead
Progress depends on our brain. The most important part of our brain, that which is neocortical, must be used to help others and not just to make discoveries.
Rita Levi-MontalciniRead
How can God entrust great things to one who will not thankfully receive from Him the little things?
Dietrich BonhoefferRead
Over the years I have developed a picture of what a human being living humanely is like. She is a person who understand, values and develops her body, finding it beautiful and useful; a person who is real and is willing to take risks, to be creative, to manifest competence, to change when the situation calls for it, and to find ways to accommodate to what is new and different, keeping that part of the old that is still useful and discarding what is not.
Virginia SatirRead
One of the basic causes for all the trouble in the world today is that people talk too much and think too little. They act impulsively without thinking. I always try to think before I talk.
Margaret Chase SmithRead
Your best ideas, those eureka moments that turn the world upside down, seldom come when you're juggling emails, rushing to meet the 5 P.M. deadline or straining to make your voice heard in a high-stress meeting. They come when you're walking the dog, soaking in the bath or swinging in a hammock.
Carl HonoreRead