QuoteProject
The universe (he said) offers a paradox too great for the finite mind to grasp. As the living brain cannot conceive of a nonliving brain — although it may think it can — the finite mind cannot grasp the infinite.
Stephen King
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The human mind struggles to comprehend concepts that are infinitely greater than itself.

This quote reflects on the limitations of human understanding, suggesting that while we may attempt to conceptualize the infinite, our finite minds are inherently unable to fully grasp it. Just as a living brain cannot understand a nonliving brain, we cannot completely fathom the universe's vastness and complexities which are beyond our mental capacities.

Themes

InfiniteMindUnderstandingPhilosophyUniverseParadox

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about the limits of human comprehension during a philosophy class.

More from Stephen King

Try any goddam thing you like, no matter how boringly normal or outrageous. If it works, fine. If it doesn't, toss it. Toss it even if you love it.
Stephen KingRead
Eddie discovered one of his childhood's great truths. Grownups are the real monsters, he thought.
Stephen KingRead
Hairstyles change, and skirt lengths, and slang, but high school administrations? Never.
Stephen KingRead
Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.
Stephen KingRead
That's the day's business. Thinking. Thinking and isolation, because it doesn't matter if you pass the time of day with someone or not; in the end, you're alone. He seemed to have put in as many miles in his brain as he had with his feet. The thoughts kept coming and there was no way to deny them.
Stephen KingRead
Late last night and the night before, tommyknockers, tommyknockers knocking on my door. I wanna go out, don't know if I can 'cuz I'm so afraid of the tommyknocker man.
Stephen KingRead

Similar quotes

You will win as many souls as God gives you, but no one will be converted by your own power.
Charles SpurgeonRead
If one by one we counted people out
Robert FrostRead
'Speak when you're spoken to!' The Queen sharply interrupted her. 'But if everybody obeyed that rule,' said Alice, who was always ready for a little argument, 'and if you only spoke when you were spoken to, and the other person always waited for you to begin, you see nobody would ever say anything, so that - ' 'Ridiculous!' cried the Queen. 'Why, don't you see, child - ' here she broke off with a frown, and, after thinking for a minute, suddenly changed the subject of the conversation.
Lewis CarrollRead
but that's alright because now everything'll be alright & we'll soothe the forever boys & girls & before we're thru we'll find a name for this Goddam Golden Eternity & tell a story too
Jack KerouacRead
Mystery bores me. It chores me. I know what happens and so do you. It's the machinations that wheel us there that aggravate, perplex, interest, and astound me.
Markus ZusakRead
The indefinite combination of human fallibility and nuclear weapons will lead to the destruction of nations.
Robert McnamaraRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Stephen King | QuoteProject