In order to be able thus to misjudge, and thus to grant…
“In order to be able thus to misjudge, and thus to grant left-handed veneration to our classics, people must have ceased to know them. This, generally speaking, is precisely what has happened. For, otherwise, one ought to know that there is only one way of honoring them, and that is to continue seeking with the same spirit and with the same courage, and not to weary of the search.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
When people forget the true essence of classics, they misinterpret them and honor them incorrectly, losing the original spirit of inquiry.
In simple terms: Forgetting originals leads to misjudgment and shallow reverence.
Key Takeaway
Seek originals with courage and curiosity.
Themes
knowledge
interpretation
tradition
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic study
- literary criticism
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
philosophy
hermeneutics
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to truly honor a classic?
- How can we balance reverence with fresh inquiry?
A Different Perspective
The quote assumes a static definition of "classics" that may evolve over time.