Whoever knows he is deep tries to be clear, but whoever…
“Whoever knows he is deep tries to be clear, but whoever wants to seem deep to the crowd tries to be obscure. For the crowd supposes that anything it cannot see to the bottom must be deep: it is so timid and goes so unwillingly into the water.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
True depth seeks clarity, while pretentious depth hides behind obscurity to impress others.
In simple terms: Deep thinkers are clear; fake deep thinkers are vague.
Key Takeaway
Strive for genuine clarity in thought.
Themes
philosophy
authenticity
communication
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- public speaking
- academic writing
- social media posts
Key Concepts
existentialism
self‑deception
Questions to Reflect On
- Are you valuing clarity over appearance?
- When does complexity become pretentious?
A Different Perspective
Obscurity can be a barrier to understanding.