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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 Tagore
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote contrasts the nature of small wisdom with great wisdom, emphasizing clarity versus complexity.

Rabindranath Tagore uses the metaphor of water to illustrate the difference between small wisdom and great wisdom. Small wisdom is accessible and easily understood, like water in a glass, while great wisdom is profound and often elusive, like the vast, deep sea. This distinction highlights that while small truths can be clear and straightforward, deeper wisdom encompasses more complexity and mystery.

Themes

WisdomKnowledgeUnderstandingLifeMystery

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about lifelong learning, one might refer to this quote to illustrate the journey of acquiring wisdom.

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A little wisdom, now and then

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