A man can only attain knowledge with the help of those who possess it. This must be understood from the very beginning. One must learn from him who knows.
George GurdjieffRead
A man is never the same for long. He is continually changing. He seldom remains the same even for half an hour.
Interpretation
This quote reflects the idea that a person's identity and thoughts are in constant flux, suggesting that change is an inherent part of being human.
George Gurdjieff highlights the fluid nature of human existence, emphasizing that individuals are not static beings. Our thoughts, emotions, and identities evolve continuously, indicating that the self is never constant but rather in a state of perpetual change, even within brief periods of time. This perspective encourages acceptance of change as a fundamental aspect of life.
In practice
In a discussion about personal growth, one could use this quote to illustrate how our experiences shape us constantly.
What I am is a heretic who's recanted and, thereby, in everyone's eyes, saved his soul. Everyone's eyes but one, who knows deep down inside that all he has saved is his skin.
The only certainty is that nothing is certain.
If the others heard me talking out loud they would think that I am crazy. But since I am not, I do not care.
I can't gather around and talk about how much everybody in the room doesn't believe in God. I just don't - I don't have the energy for that, and so I... Agnostic separates me from the conduct of atheists whether or not there is strong overlap between the two categories, and at the end of the day I'd rather not be any category at all.
The state of slavery is in its own nature bad.
What should we suppose must naturally be the consequence of our carrying on a slave trade with Africa? With a country, vast in its extent, not utterly barbarous, but civilized in a very small degree? Does any one suppose a slave trade would help their civilization?
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