Active Quote by Alfred North Whitehead
“In a sense, knowledge shrinks as wisdom grows, for details are swallowed up in principles. The details for knowledge which are important, will be picked up ad hoc in each avocation of life, but the habit of the active utilization of well-understood principles is the final possession of WISDOM.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Process and Reality by Alfred North Whitehead, 1929
As wisdom deepens, broad principles replace the need for isolated facts, allowing selective recall of essential details.
In simple terms: Wisdom replaces detail with principle.
Key Takeaway
Apply core principles, retrieve details as needed.
Themes
wisdom
learning
principles
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- problem solving
- strategic planning
- personal development
Key Concepts
process philosophy
epistemology
cognitive economy
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance principle with necessary nuance?
- When might detail outweigh principle?
A Different Perspective
Principles may oversimplify complex realities.
