What we want is to see the child in pursuit of knowledge, and not knowledge in pursuit of the child.
George Bernard ShawRead
The longer I live, the more I realize that I am never wrong about anything, and that all the pains I have so humbly taken to verify my notions have only wasted my time!
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the irony of certainty and the futility of overly verifying one's beliefs.
George Bernard Shaw's quote reflects a humorous yet profound realization about human nature. As one gains more experience in life, they may come to recognize that their beliefs and opinions often feel infallible, despite the reality that questioning and self-doubt are essential for growth. The quote emphasizes the idea that excessive assurance can lead to wasted efforts in validating one's views, suggesting that embracing uncertainty may be a more enriching path.
Themes
WisdomBeliefsCertaintyTruthExperience
In practice
Example use cases
You could use this quote in a discussion about the importance of questioning one's beliefs during a philosophy class.
More from George Bernard Shaw
All quotes βMarriage is good enough for the lower classes: they have facilities for desertion that are denied to us.
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Forgive him, for he believes that the customs of his tribe are the laws of nature!
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Those who talk most about the blessings of marriage and the constancy of its vows are the very people who declare that if the chain were broken and the prisoners left free to choose, the whole social fabric would fly asunder. You cannot have the argument both ways. If the prisoner is happy, why lock him in? If he is not, why pretend that he is?
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Treat a friend as a person who may someday become your enemy; an enemy as a person who may someday become your friend.
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The happiness of credulity is a cheap and dangerous quality.
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