What was to be the value of the long looked forward to…
““What was to be the value of the long looked forward to, Long hoped for calm, the autumnal serenity And the wisdom of age? Had they deceived us Or deceived themselves, the quiet-voiced elders, Bequeathing us merely a receipt for deceit? The serenity only a deliberate hebetude, The wisdom only the knowledge of dead secrets Useless in the darkness into which they peered Or from which they turned their eyes. There is, it seems to us, At best, only a limited value In the knowledge derived from experience. The knowledge imposes a pattern, and falsifies, For the pattern is new in every moment And every moment is a new and shocking Valuation of all we have been. We are only undeceived Of that which, deceiving, could no longer harm.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Experience offers limited insight; each moment reshapes understanding, and true wisdom lies beyond static knowledge.
In simple terms: Experience is limited; each moment changes meaning.
Key Takeaway
Embrace continual learning and humility.
Themes
wisdom
experience
change
Mood
contemplative
philosophical
Type
poem
reflection
When to use this quote
- personal growth
- decision making
- creative work
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
philosophy
existentialism
poetry
Questions to Reflect On
- What does each new moment teach you?
- How can we balance experience with openness?
A Different Perspective
Static knowledge can become outdated quickly.