--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are like dwarfs on the shoulders of…" description: "\"“We are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants. We see more things than the ancients and things more distant, but it is due neither to the sharpness of..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/anonymous-1_celts_we-are-like-dwarfs-on-the-shoulders-of-g_1615271.jpg" --- # We are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants. We see more… ![“We are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants. We see more things than the ancients and things more distant, but it is due neither to the sharpness of our sight nor the greatness of out stature. It is simply because they have lent us their own.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/anonymous-1_celts_we-are-like-dwarfs-on-the-shoulders-of-g_1615271.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/anonymous-1_celts_we-are-like-dwarfs-on-the-shoulders-of-g_1615271.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/547/anonymous-1_celts_we-are-like-dwarfs-on-the-shoulders-of-g_1615271.jpg) > ““We are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants. We see more things than the ancients and things more distant, but it is due neither to the sharpness of our sight nor the greatness of out stature. It is simply because they have lent us their own.”” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human knowledge builds on predecessors; we stand on giants' shoulders, not due to our own greatness. **In simple terms:** We rely on past giants for insight. Key Takeaway Acknowledge and build on past contributions. Themes knowledge legacy humility Mood respectful inspirational Type historical motivational When to use this quote - science - art - technology - education Key Concepts intellectual history collaboration Questions to Reflect On - Who are the giants you stand upon? - How can you add your own insight? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on past achievements can stifle original thinking. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Celts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/celts/) [Dwarfs Shoulders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dwarfs-shoulders-2685046/) [Greatness Stature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness-stature-6160415/) [Like Dwarfs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-dwarfs-2406542/) [Pagans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pagans/) [Shoulders Giants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoulders-giants-268901/) [Shoulders Of Giants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoulders-of-giants/) [Stature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stature/) ## Related quotes > [“We are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and things at a greater distance, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-de-chartres/we-are-like-dwarfs-on-the-shoulders-of-giants-so-that-we-can-see-more-2/) [Bernard De Chartres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-de-chartres/) > [We are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-of-chartres/we-are-like-dwarfs-on-the-shoulders-of-giants-so-that-we-can-see-more/) [Bernard of Chartres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-of-chartres/) > [“We are like dwarfs standing on the shoulders of giants; thanks to them, we see farther than they. Busying ourselves with the treatises written…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carter-lindberg/we-are-like-dwarfs-standing-on-the-shoulders-of-giants-thanks-to-them/) [Carter Lindberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carter-lindberg/) > [Newton said, "If I have seen further than others, it is because I've stood on the shoulders of giants." These days we stand on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/newton-said-if-i-have-seen-further-than-others-it-is-because-i-ve/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We are like dwarfs sitting on the shoulders of giants. 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There’s no room for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-henry/nachmanovitch-writes-it-s-great-to-sit-on-the-shoulders-of-giants-but/) [Todd Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-henry/) > [“Some say they stand on the shoulders of giants. True. But have they ever tried walking like one?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-telford/some-say-they-stand-on-the-shoulders-of-giants-true-but-have-they/) [Jill Telford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-telford/) > [“If I have been able to see further, it was only because I stood on the shoulders of giants. SIR ISAAC NEWTON”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/if-i-have-been-able-to-see-further-it-was-only-because-i-stood-on-the-2/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [With books we stand on the shoulders of giants.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/with-books-we-stand-on-the-shoulders-of-giants/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [“If I have been able to see further, it was only because I stood on the shoulders of giants.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/issac-newton/if-i-have-been-able-to-see-further-it-was-only-because-i-stood-on-the/) [Issac Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/issac-newton/) > [“If I had seen further than others, it's because I stood upon the shoulders of giants.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-newtonnew/if-i-had-seen-further-than-others-it-s-because-i-stood-upon-the/) [Isaac NewtonNew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-newtonnew/) > [Everything is derivative. Everything is a remix, and we all stand on the shoulders of giants - a great phrase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-ohanian/everything-is-derivative-everything-is-a-remix-and-we-all-stand-on/) [Alexis Ohanian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-ohanian/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Celts quotes > [“I know precisely what honor is, Heracles. Honor is the artifice kings sell the peasants’ sons so that they may fight and die without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bes/i-know-precisely-what-honor-is-heracles-honor-is-the-artifice-kings/) [Bes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bes/) > [My view is that to get anywhere in life you have to be anti-social, otherwise you'll end up being devoured. I've never been particularly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-connery/my-view-is-that-to-get-anywhere-in-life-you-have-to-be-anti-social/) [Sean Connery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-connery/) > [All Gaul is divided into three parts, one of which the Belgae inhabit, the Aquitani another, those who in their own language are called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-caesar/all-gaul-is-divided-into-three-parts-one-of-which-the-belgae-inhabit/) [Julius Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-caesar/) > [Shut up, Nick. (Talon) 'Shut up, Nick, heel, sit, fetch.’ Love you too, Celt. (Nick)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/shut-up-nick-talon-shut-up-nick-heel-sit-fetch-love-you-too-celt-nick/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [All Gaul is divided into three parts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-caesar/all-gaul-is-divided-into-three-parts/) [Julius Caesar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-caesar/) > [“...Turn our thoughts, in the next place, to the characters of learned men. The priesthood have, in all ancient nations, nearly monopolized learning. Read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-adams/turn-our-thoughts-in-the-next-place-to-the-characters-of-learned-men/) [John Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-adams/) > [“Moses found the wises man in this sacred meeting place of the waters. 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I didn't think there could be a more primitive pairing of genes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/basque-and-celt-criminals-and-barbarians-i-didn-t-think-there-could/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [“The Hittites and Amorites were therefore mingled together in the mountains of Palestine like the two races which ethnologists tell us go to form…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-h-sayce/the-hittites-and-amorites-were-therefore-mingled-together-in-the/) [A. H. SAYCE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-h-sayce/) > [“Plato, however, in the “Laws,” classes the Celts among the races who are drunken and combative, and much barbarity is attributed to them on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-w-rolleston/plato-however-in-the-laws-classes-the-celts-among-the-races-who-are/) [T.W. Rolleston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-w-rolleston/) > [“I know precisely what honor is, Heracles. 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