I never know as much as when I don’t know anything.
Notes:
In Philadelphia Story, written by Philip Barry, a character says, “The time to make up your mind about people, is never.”
Do you agree? Can we judge each other? Does someone who seems confident and sure of the facts really have the answers? I find that the biggest barrier to having good conversations is when people’s minds are already made up. Then no discussion is possible — it becomes people trying to explain what an idiot you are for not agreeing with them. Having an open mind, believing you always have more to learn about the world, being open to hearing and empathizing with other people, that is the best way to approach other people.
Writing Tip: My post is an epigram, a short form of poetry or witticism.
Kathryn Apel, a fantastic Aussie poet, described epigrams in last week’s Poetry Friday, and her link offers this self-defining example:
What is an Epigram? A dwarfish whole,
Its body brevity, and wit its soul.
— Samuel Taylor Coleridge
And this clever quip:
I can resist everything but temptation.
— Oscar Wilde
Happy Poetry Friday! Thanks to Linda B at TeacherDance for hosting. Thanks to Keisha for sending me Evidence by Mary Oliver. It’s a real treat!
43 thoughts on “To Know Much”
Comments welcome!
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Friendly Fairy Tales 
“the more you know, the more you don’t know” — yes, a true sign of wisdom. When you are young it is hard to believe…Love your epigrams and the quotes – and the photo on top of all this. Beautiful, beautiful post! I wish you a great week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Leya. I hope you have a great week, too. I wish it were Friday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Soon!
LikeLiked by 1 person
this is all so very true. and i am just beginning to figure some things out. tip of the iceberg really…)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Irony is an aid to figuring things out. Understanding through humor. Works for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice, Brenda! Your epigram is short and sweet… if only people could be a bit sweeter and a lot less short with one another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL Good advice, Michelle.
LikeLike
I do love epigrams – brevity is the soul of wit, after all!
I was the nerd who used an epigram in my high school year book write up – “Only he is an emancipated thinker who is not afraid to write foolish things.” from Anton Chekhov. Words I strive to live by!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Another good one. My high school quote was: “Bend like the grass that you do not break.” — Kamala Markandaya
LikeLike
Very thoughtful words, Brenda – and a beautiful, perfect photo.
But then again, what do I know? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOL Touche.
LikeLike
I love pondering these epigrams, Brenda! Yours is just as profound as Coleridge and Wilde. =)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Bridget. If only mine were as witty, too. I’ll have to try again for that! But I’ll settle for profound, and thanks very much!
LikeLike
Yes yes yes! Perfect epigram for this election season. Who was it that said, “the more you know, the more you don’t know” — a true sign of wisdom. Gorgeous photo.
LikeLiked by 1 person
My stepbrother used to have a bummer sticker that said an expert was someone who knows more and more about less and less. 🙂 Yours is a good quote, too. I wasn’t familiar with it, but I looked it up. Goodreads attributes that to Aristotle.
LikeLike
Excellent quote, Brenda. If only we could all find a bit more kindness and a bit less judging in our hearts…
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would like to see our leaders modeling good behavior instead of what’s going on.
LikeLike
Wilde had tons of great epigrams. Some are very prescient. This Wilde epigram fits the current political scene, “I can believe anything, provided it is incredible.” Or this one, “It is personalities not principles that move the age.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
He is King of the Witty One-Liners. Dorothy Parker had some zingers, too.
LikeLike
It’s an epigram that keeps turning over in your mind and growing bigger – as your post shows, Brenda. Well done.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’m glad you like it, Kat. It’s always hard for me to keep it short. 😉
LikeLike
Being open-minded is a gateway to positivity- a brief commentary in reply to your short piece.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true. And a gateway to growth.
LikeLike
What a haunting photo set in happy sunshine. Thank you for the power-packed post of few words. As usual, the short cuts to the heart the quickest with me. I enjoyed the comments as much as your post! The comments give me hope for a world of thinking people who care….the world I want to be a part of. Have a great week!
LikeLiked by 1 person
That describes the blogging world for me — People who think and care. And share. I love being part of it, too. XOXO
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Still Another Writer's Blog.
LikeLike
The more I learn the more questions I have. And the older I get and more I see, the less I know!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s how I feel, too, Doreen. And the less I trust the easy answers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
yup
LikeLiked by 1 person
I saw the earlier comment, was going to say that hose ferns are rather like spirits, appropriate for the time, and a beautiful photo! I am hearing your frustration, and you’ve shared it with grand words, Brenda. I was gone last PF, so enjoyed the epigram explanation and examples. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Linda. The drought has made familiar places strange this year. I’ve never seen the ferns looking so transparent before.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those sunlit ferns look like they’re getting grey–like the rest of us!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was a tough year for NE. Not enough rain. The ferns are turning into spirits themselves.
LikeLike
Sorry to see it, all the same. Wrote you a fairy poem—how do you like it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Leave me a link. I’m fading fast.
LikeLike
THOSE FRIENDLY FAIRIES…!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
SCRIPTURE SAYS THAT ONLY WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST ONE MAY JUDGE…HEAVILY SEASONED WITH MERCY!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. That is to say, no one can cast a stone, since we are all born sinful. Judgment is reserved to God himself. That’s what I was taught.
LikeLike
I like to think I am open minded, but this election cycle has definitely frayed my tolerance. Thanks for the reminder that we all don’t really know what’s going on (I think 😉 ).
LikeLiked by 2 people
Too many lies have been spoken for us to feel clean and good about this election. The best we can do is measure the lies and try not to fall into the deepest pile.
LikeLiked by 2 people
agreed!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gorgeous photo! I don’t know which quote I like more, Wilde’s or Coleridge’s. People who say they don’t know anything are wickedly smart. I agree!
LikeLiked by 3 people
LOL I knew you’d know what I mean.
LikeLike