Further, there are things of which the mind understands one part, but remains ignorant of the other; and when man is able to comprehend certain things, it does not follow that he must be able to comprehend everything.
Interpretation
Understanding is limited; one can grasp some aspects while remaining unaware of others.
This quote by Maimonides emphasizes the concept that human understanding is inherently limited. While individuals may gain insight into certain truths or concepts, it does not automatically imply that they can grasp the entirety of all knowledge or complexity. It highlights the importance of humility in our pursuit of wisdom, acknowledging both what we know and what we do not know.
In practice
A speaker at a philosophy conference discussing the nature of knowledge.
If men possessed wisdom, which stands in the same relation to the form of man as the sight to the eye, they would not cause any injury to themselves or to others; for the knowledge of truth removes hatred and quarrels, and prevents mutual injuries.
There are eight rungs in charity. The highest is when you help a man to help himself.
God who preceded all existence is a refuge.
When man possesses a good, sound body that does not overpower him nor disturb the equilibrium in him, he possesses a divine gift. In short, a good constitution facilitates the rule of the soul over the body, but it is not impossible to conquer a bad constitution by training.
If the whole earth is infinitely small in comparison with the sphere of the stars, what is man compared with all these created beings!
One should see the world, and see himself as a scale with an equal balance of good and evil. When he does one good deed the scale is tipped to the good - he and the world is saved. When he does one evil deed the scale is tipped to the bad - he and the world is destroyed.
There are some faults so nearly allied to excellence that we can scarce weed out the vice without eradicating the virtue.
Those who understand only what can be explained understand very little.
But when I know that the glass is already broken, every minute with it is precious.
Don't worry about what you can't control. Our focus and energy needs to be on the things we CAN control. Attitude, effort, focus- these are the things we can control.
A man's own good breeding is the best security against other people's ill manners.
Somehow, something always happens just before things get to the very worst. It is as if Magic did it. If I could only just remember that always. The worse thing never quite comes.
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