Fame often makes a writer vain, but seldom makes him proud.
W. H. AudenRead
Any formal attack on ignorance is bound to fail because the masses are always ready to defend their most precious possession - their ignorance.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often cling to their ignorance, making any effort to confront it likely to be met with resistance.
This quote by Hendrik Willem Van Loon suggests that ignorance is a deeply held belief or state of being that people value. When faced with attempts to challenge or correct their misunderstandings, individuals will often resist such interventions because they perceive ignorance as a protective barrier against uncomfortable truths.
Themes
IgnoranceDefenseKnowledgeTruthResistance
In practice
Example use cases
In a debate about education reform, this quote can highlight the challenges of addressing deeply held misconceptions.
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