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Let all Men know thee, but no man know thee thoroughly…

“Let all Men know thee, but no man know thee thoroughly: Men freely ford that see the shallows.” quote by Benjamin Franklin
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“Let all Men know thee, but no man know thee thoroughly: Men freely ford that see the shallows.”

Benjamin Franklin

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Encourages superficial knowledge of many, but deep understanding of few; warns against shallow judgments.

In simple terms: Know few deeply, not many superficially.

Key Takeaway

Seek depth over breadth.

Themes

knowledge humility self‑awareness

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • personal relationships
  • professional networking
  • academic study

Key Concepts

epistemology virtue ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • Which relationships deserve deeper insight?
  • How can you balance breadth and depth?
A Different Perspective

Depth requires time and effort, which may be scarce.

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