All novelists should live in two different worlds: a real one and an unreal one.
John FowlesRead
An answer is always a form of death.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that providing answers can limit understanding and exploration, as certainty can lead to an end of inquiry.
John Fowles' quote suggests that providing answers is not just about informing; it can also signify the end of exploration and curiosity. When we arrive at conclusions or definitive answers, we may cease to ask further questions, stifling the inherent human desire to discover and understand. In this way, answering can metaphorically represent a form of death, as it curtails the journey of learning and growth, replacing inquiry with finality.
Themes
AnswersDeathInquiryCuriosityPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate on knowledge and certainty, one might use this quote to highlight the dangers of finality.
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