My friend Heinrich Zimmer of years ago used to say, 'The…
“My friend Heinrich Zimmer of years ago used to say, 'The best things can't be told,' because they transcend thought. 'The second best are misunderstood,' because those are the thoughts that are supposed to refer to that which can't be thought about, and one gets stuck in the thoughts. 'The third best are what we talk about.'”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Ideas that surpass language are hardest to express; the second hardest are misunderstood, while the easiest are ordinary talk.
In simple terms: Deep concepts resist clear expression.
Key Takeaway
Seek to grasp what words cannot fully capture.
Themes
philosophy
language
mythology
Mood
curious
introspective
Type
inspirational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- academic research
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
ineffability
interpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- What truths have you felt but struggled to articulate?
- How do you handle ideas that feel beyond language?
A Different Perspective
Attempting to verbalize the ineffable can lead to oversimplification.