The improvement of understanding is for two ends: first, our own increase of knowledge; secondly, to enable us to deliver that knowledge to others.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
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
To know someone here or there with whom you can feel there is understanding in spite of distances or thoughts expressed—That can make life a garden.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
The most incomprehensible thing about the world is that it is comprehensible.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
Contentment is accepting the world as an imperfect place.
—Anonymous
If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.
—Zen Proverb Japanese School of Mahayana Buddhism
There would be no society if living together depended upon understanding each other.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
The man of understanding finds everything laughable.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through understanding.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
A blind man knows he cannot see, and is glad to be led, though it be by a dog; but he that is blind in his understanding, which is the worst blindness of all, believes he sees as the best, and scorns a guide.
—Samuel Butler (1835–1902) British Victorian Novelist, Essayist, Critic
I understand people’s suffering, people’s pain, more than you will every know yourself.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist
It is the duty of the human understanding to understand that there are things which it cannot understand, and what those things are. Human understanding has vulgarly occupied itself with nothing but understanding, but if it would only take the trouble to understand itself at the same time it would simply have to posit the paradox.
—Soren Kierkegaard (1813–55) Danish Philosopher, Theologian
There is occasions and causes why and wherefore in all things.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
When I wanted to understand what is happening today, I try to decide what will happen tomorrow; I look back, a page of history is worth a volume of logic.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American Jurist, Author
The light of the understanding humility kindieth, and pride covereth.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
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
Many a man would rather you heard his story than granted his request.
—Unknown
The great art of learning is to understand but little at a time.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
It is the same with understanding as with eyes; to a certain size and make just so much light is necessary, and no more. Whatever is beyond, brings darkness and confusion.
—Anthony Ashley Cooper, 1st Earl of Shaftesbury (1621–83) English Statesman
Find peace with yourself by accepting not only what you are, but what you are never going to be.
—Anonymous
The secret of forgiving everything is to understand nothing.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Do not hover always on the surface of things, nor take up suddenly with mere appearances; but penetrate into the depth of matters, as far as your time and circumstances allow, especially in those things which relate to your profession.
—Isaac Watts (1674–1748) English Hymn writer
Martyrs must choose between being forgotten, mocked or made use of. As for being understood, never.
—Albert Camus (1913–60) Algerian-born French Philosopher, Dramatist, Novelist
The growth of understanding follows an ascending spiral rather than a straight line.
—Marion Milner (‘Joanna Field’) (1900–98) British Writer, Psychoanalyst
People in high life are hardened to the wants and distresses of mankind as surgeons are to their bodily pains.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view.
—Harper Lee (1926–2016) American Novelist
People on the whole are very simpleminded in whatever country one finds them. They are so simple as to take literally, more often than not, the things their leaders tell them.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
And verily, a woman need know but one man well, in order to understand all men; whereas a man may know all women and understand not one of them.
—Helen Rowland (1875–1950) American Journalist, Humorist
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