Belief consists in accepting the affirmations of the soul; unbelief, in denying them.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Two parts of empathy: Skill (tip of iceberg) and Attitude (mass of the iceberg).
—Unknown
Once we realize that imperfect understanding is the human condition, there is no shame in being wrong, only in failing to correct our mistakes.
—George Soros (b.1930) Hungarian-American Investor, Philanthropist
the use of our intelligence quite properly gives us pleasure. In this respect the brain is like a muscle. When we think well, we feel good. Understanding is a kind of ecstasy.
—Carl Sagan (1934–96) American Astronomer
When you don’t understand, it’s sometimes easier to look like you do.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
Much learning does not teach understanding.
—Heraclitus (535BCE–475BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
The eye of the understanding is like the eye of the sense; for as you may see great objects through small crannies or holes, so you may see great axioms of nature through small and contemptible instances.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
Keep constantly in mind in how many things you yourself have witnessed changes already. The universe is change, life is understanding.
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
You don’t need strength to let go of something. What you really need is understanding.
—Guy Finley
A man who pretends to understand women is ad manners. For him to really to understand them is bad morals.
—Henry James (1843–1916) American-born British Novelist, Writer
Seek first to understand and then to be understood.
—Stephen Covey (1932–2012) American Self-help Author
All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them.
—Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) Italian Astronomer, Physicist, Mathematician
If I am to care for people in hospital I really must know every aspect of their treatment and to understand their suffering.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist
All meanings, we know, depend on the key of interpretation.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Understanding is nothing else than conception caused by speech.
—Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) English Political Philosopher
If the secret of being a bore is to tell all, the secret of pleasing is to say just enough to be—not understood, but divined.
—Remy de Gourmont (1858–1915) French Critic, Novelist
The thing is plain. All that men really understand, is confined to a very small compass; to their daily affairs and experience; to what they have an opportunity to know, and motives to study or practice. The rest is affectation and imposture.
—William Hazlitt (1778–1830) English Essayist
The best cure for worry, depression, melancholy, brooding, is to go deliberately forth and try to lift with one’s sympathy the gloom of somebody else.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist, Playwright, Critic
What blockheads are those wise persons, who think it necessary that a child should comprehend everything it reads.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.
—Marie Curie (1867–1934) Polish-born French Physicist, Chemist
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
A little inaccuracy sometimes saves tons of explanation.
—Saki (Hector Hugh Munro) (1870–1916) British Short Story Writer, Satirist, Historian
If you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
If one does not understand a person, one tends to regard him as a fool.
—Carl Gustav Jung (1875–1961) Swiss Psychologist, Psychiatrist, Philosopher
Don’t write merely to be understood. Write so that you cannot possibly be misunderstood.
—Robert Louis Stevenson (1850–94) Scottish Novelist
A man of understanding finds less difficulty in submitting to a wrong-headed fellow, than in attempting to set him right.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Before we can forgive one another, we have to understand one another.
—Emma Goldman (1869–1940) Lithuanian-American Anarchist, Feminist
The noblest pleasure is the joy of understanding.
—Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) Italian Polymath, Painter, Sculptor, Architect
It is a common fault never to be satisfied with our fortune, nor dissatisfied with our understanding.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
The light of the understanding humility kindieth, and pride covereth.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
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