The Search for reason ends at the known; on the immense…
““The Search for reason ends at the known; on the immense expanse beyond it only the sense of the ineffable can glide. It alone knows the route to that which is remote from experience and understanding. Neither of them is amphibious: reason cannot go beyond the shore, and the sense of the ineffable is out of place where we measure, where we weigh. We do not leave the shore of the known in search of adventure or suspense or because of the failure of reason to answer our questions. We sail because our mind is like a fantastic seashell, and when applying our ear to its lips we hear a perpetual murmur from the waves beyond the shore. Citizens of two realms, we all must sustain a dual allegiance: we sense the ineffable in one realm, we name and exploit reality in another. Between the two we set up a system of references, but we can never fill the gap. They are as far and as close to each other as time and calendar, as violin and melody, as life and what lies beyond the last breath.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Reason ends at the limits of knowledge; beyond that lies the ineffable, a sense that guides us without being measurable.
In simple terms: Reason stops at what we can know; the ineffable guides beyond that.
Key Takeaway
Embrace both rational thought and intuitive mystery.
Themes
spirituality
philosophy
knowledge
duality
Mood
contemplative
inspired
Type
philosophical
poetic
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- creative work
- scientific inquiry
- ethical decision making
Key Concepts
metaphysics
epistemology
transcendence
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance logical analysis with intuitive feeling?
- What role does mystery play in your life?
A Different Perspective
The ineffable cannot be fully expressed, so relying on it may lead to ambiguity.