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Wonder is the foundation of all philosophy, inquiry the progress, ignorance the end.
Michel De Montaigne
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Wonder inspires philosophical thought, inquiry leads to knowledge, and ignorance halts understanding.

This quote by Michel De Montaigne emphasizes the journey of knowledge and understanding. It suggests that the initial spark of curiosity or wonder is what drives philosophical inquiry, which then progresses toward understanding and learning. However, if one remains ignorant and does not engage in questioning and exploring, they will never reach a deeper comprehension of life and existence.

Themes

WonderPhilosophyInquiryKnowledgeIgnorance

In practice

Example use cases

During a philosophy class discussion, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of inquiry in learning.

More from Michel De Montaigne

All the world knows me in my book, and my book in me.
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All I say is by way of discourse, and nothing by way of advice. I should not speak so boldly if it were my due to be believed.
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Pythagoras used to say that life resembles the Olympic Games: a few people strain their muscles to carry off a prize; others bring trinkets to sell to the crowd for gain; and some there are, and not the worst, who seek no other profit than to look at the show and see how and why everything is done; spectators of the life of other people in order to judge and regulate their own.
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There is not much less vexation in the government of a private family than in the managing of an entire state.
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Those who have compared our life to a dream were right... we were sleeping wake, and waking sleep.
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Such as are in immediate fear of a losing their estates, of banishment, or of slavery, live in perpetual anguish, and lose all appetite and repose; whereas such as are actually poor, slaves, or exiles, ofttimes live as merrily as other folk.
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