Grant us brotherhood, not only for this day but for all our years - a brotherhood not of words but of acts and deeds.
Stephen Vincent BenetRead
I tried to think of my knowledge, but it was a squirrel's heap of winter nuts. There was no strength in my knowledge any more and I felt small and naked as a new-hatched bird.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote expresses a feeling of inadequacy regarding one's knowledge and understanding.
In this quote, the author reflects on the limitations of his own knowledge, comparing it to a disorganized collection of winter nuts belonging to a squirrel. This metaphor illustrates the idea that despite the potential for growth and learning, one can feel exposed and vulnerable when confronted with the vastness of what remains unknown, much like a new-hatched bird being unprepared for the world.
Themes
KnowledgeWisdomVulnerabilityLearningSelf-Awareness
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about embracing our limitations, this quote underscores the importance of self-reflection.
More from Stephen Vincent Benet
All quotes →It is forbidden to go east, but I have gone, forbidden to go on the great river, but I am there. Open your hearts, you spirits, and hear my song.
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Our fathers and ourselves sowed dragon's teeth. Our children know and suffer the armed men.
Stephen Vincent BenetRead
You can't depend on the kind of folks people think they are - you've got to go by what they do. And I wouldn't give much for a man that some folks hadn't thought was a fool, in his time.
Stephen Vincent BenetRead
Go play with the towns you have built of blocks, The towns where you would have bound me! I sleep in my earth like a tired fox, And my bufdfalo have found me.
Stephen Vincent BenetRead
We can no longer take our own way of life for granted - we know that it may be challenged. And we know this, too - and know it ever more deeply - we know that freedom and democracy are not just big words mouthed by orators but the rain and the wind and the sun, the air and the light by which we breathe and live.
Stephen Vincent BenetRead
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Whenever you're wrong, admit it; Whenever you're right, shut up.
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On matters beyond his ken a gentleman speaks with caution. If names are not right, words are misused. When words are misused, affairs go wrong. When affairs go wrong, courtesy and music droop, law and justice fail. And when law and justice fail them, a people can move neither hand nor foot. So a gentleman must be ready to put names in speech, to put words into deeds. A gentleman is nowise careless of words.
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It's not necessary to tell all you know. It's not ladylike -- in the second place, folks don't like to have someone around knowin' more than they do. It aggravates them. Your not gonna change any of them by talkin' right, they've got to want to learn themselves, and when they don't want to learn there's nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language.
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O that men's ears should be To counsel deaf but not to flattery!
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