Of two evils, had not an author better be tedious than…
“Of two evils, had not an author better be tedious than superficial! From an overflowing vessel you may gather more, indeed, than you want, but from an empty one you can gather nothing.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Superficial work may be tedious, but an empty mind yields nothing; depth provides more than expected, even if overwhelming.
In simple terms: Empty minds produce nothing; depth can be overwhelming but rewarding.
Key Takeaway
Value depth over emptiness.
Themes
knowledge
depth
tedium
productivity
Mood
thoughtful
educational
Type
essay
philosophy
When to use this quote
- academic study
- creative brainstorming
- skill development
Key Concepts
philosophical writing
educational discourse
self‑improvement
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance depth and overload?
- When is superficial work acceptable?
A Different Perspective
Risk of overload if depth is excessive.