“The small wisdom is like water in a glass: clear, transparent, pure. The great wisdom is like the water in the sea: dark, mysterious, impenetrable.”

— Rabindranath Tagore

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“The small wisdom is like water in a glass: clear, transparent, pure. The great wisdom is like the water in the sea: dark, mysterious, impenetrable.”

(May 7 , 1861 -- August 7 , 1941)
Origin: Indian
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Meaning
Basic knowledge appears easily understandable and perfectly contained, while profound universal truths are vast, complex, and impossible to fully grasp. As we deepen our understanding of the world, we realize that true wisdom embraces ambiguity and the unknown rather than seeking simple, black-and-white answers. Students and lifelong learners eventually discover that advanced education and real-world experience reveal the immense depth of human existence, replacing rigid certainty with humble curiosity. People turn to this philosophical thought to navigate intellectual arrogance and to embrace the mysteries of life. Rabindranath Tagore, a master of integrating Eastern spirituality with global intellectualism, recognized that the highest forms of truth transcend simple logic. Accept that you will never know everything, and allow that realization to fuel a lifelong journey of discovery. Embrace the vastness of the unknown to truly expand your mind.
Rabindranath Tagore
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Rabindranath Tagore

Rabindranath Tagore was an Indian poet, philosopher, writer. Nobel Prize-winning. Their teachings on wisdom, self-awareness and the search for meaning continue to guide people seeking clarity and inner strength.

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This quote is attributed to Rabindranath Tagore. Rabindranath Tagore was an Indian poet, philosopher, writer. Nobel Prize-winning. Their teachings on wisdom, self-awareness and the search for meaning continue to guide people seeking…

Basic knowledge appears easily understandable and perfectly contained, while profound universal truths are vast, complex, and impossible to fully grasp. As we deepen our understanding of the world, we realize that true wisdom embraces ambiguity and the unknown rather than seeking simple, black-and-white answers. Students and lifelong learners eventually discover that advanced education and real-world experience reveal the immense depth…

The wording and attribution are documented at en.wikiquote.org. Use the original source linked on this page to verify the exact phrasing and context.

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