--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is seldom that we know anything…" description: "\"“It is seldom that we know anything accurately on any subject that we have not made matter of careful study,\" said Mr. Monk, \"and very often do not do ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b60/anthony-trollope-611_education_it-is-seldom-that-we-know-anything-accur_3089306.jpg" --- # It is seldom that we know anything accurately on any… ![“It is seldom that we know anything accurately on any subject that we have not made matter of careful study," said Mr. Monk, "and very often do not do so even then. We are very apt to think that we men and women understand one another; but most probably you know nothing even of the modes of thought…” quote by Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b60/anthony-trollope-611_education_it-is-seldom-that-we-know-anything-accur_3089306.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b60/anthony-trollope-611_education_it-is-seldom-that-we-know-anything-accur_3089306.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b60/anthony-trollope-611_education_it-is-seldom-that-we-know-anything-accur_3089306.jpg) > ““It is seldom that we know anything accurately on any subject that we have not made matter of careful study," said Mr. Monk, "and very often do not do so even then. We are very apt to think that we men and women understand one another; but most probably you know nothing even of the modes of thought of the man who lives next door to you.”” [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We rarely understand subjects accurately without careful study, and we often overestimate our ability to understand others, especially those close to us. **In simple terms:** True understanding requires study; we often misjudge others. Key Takeaway Study before assuming understanding. Themes knowledge misunderstanding humility Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - academic research - interpersonal communication - teamwork - conflict resolution Key Concepts philosophy psychology sociology Questions to Reflect On - How do you verify your assumptions about others? - What steps can improve mutual understanding? A Different Perspective Assuming understanding can lead to miscommunication and conflict. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) [Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monk/) ## Related quotes > [“I have already told you, Mr. Monk, I have no idea where my brother is. Not that I would necessarily tell you if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-perry/i-have-already-told-you-mr-monk-i-have-no-idea-where-my-brother-is/) [Anne Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-perry/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“We know accurately only when we know little; doubt grows with knowledge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-doubt-grows-with-knowledge/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [If one's careful study of the facts shows that the Catholic Church is correct about Jesus-his life, teachings, death, and Resurrection-then why not give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-e-olson/if-one-s-careful-study-of-the-facts-shows-that-the-catholic-church-is/) [Carl E. Olson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-e-olson/) > [“For the Bible, despite all its contradictions and absurdities, its barbarisms and obscenities, remains grand and gaudy stuff, and so it deserves careful study…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken-2/for-the-bible-despite-all-its-contradictions-and-absurdities-its/) [H.L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken-2/) > [“Only through the careful study of historical documents can we prevent the distortion of where we came from and who we are as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-carson/only-through-the-careful-study-of-historical-documents-can-we-prevent/) [Ben Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-carson/) > [To the present writer a careful study of the facts now available seems to leave no doubt that civilization was born at the southeast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-henry-breasted/to-the-present-writer-a-careful-study-of-the-facts-now-available/) [James Henry Breasted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-henry-breasted/) > [These are facts the heart can feel; yet they call for careful study before they become clear to the intellect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/these-are-facts-the-heart-can-feel-yet-they-call-for-careful-study/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“It is a paradox that men will gladly devote time every day for many years to learn a science or an art; yet will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-homer-durham/it-is-a-paradox-that-men-will-gladly-devote-time-every-day-for-many/) G. Homer Durham > [I don't think men really fall in love with the outspoken girl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-coolidge/i-don-t-think-men-really-fall-in-love-with-the-outspoken-girl/) [Jennifer Coolidge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-coolidge/) > [If women think all men are the same, then why do they worry so much about picking the right one :P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu/if-women-think-all-men-are-the-same-then-why-do-they-worry-so-much/) [Ritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu/) > [“I think men think about their penises as much as women think about molestation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christy-leigh-stewart/i-think-men-think-about-their-penises-as-much-as-women-think-about/) [Christy Leigh Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christy-leigh-stewart/) > [“I can’t think why men would believe that it is a better world where something beautiful is destroyed and something broken left in its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippa-gregory/i-can-t-think-why-men-would-believe-that-it-is-a-better-world-where/) [Philippa Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippa-gregory/) > [I don't think there are any men who are faithful to their wives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jackie-kennedy/i-don-t-think-there-are-any-men-who-are-faithful-to-their-wives/) [Jackie Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jackie-kennedy/) > [I think men spend so much time passing for being men. There's a sense among many writers of color that the most invisible figure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junot-diaz/i-think-men-spend-so-much-time-passing-for-being-men-there-s-a-sense/) [Junot Diaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junot-diaz/) ## More by Anthony Trollope > [“I have from the first felt sure that the writer, when he sits down to commence his novel, should do so, not because he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/i-have-from-the-first-felt-sure-that-the-writer-when-he-sits-down-to/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [Things to be done offer themselves, I suppose, because they are in themselves desirable; not because it is desirable to have something to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/things-to-be-done-offer-themselves-i-suppose-because-they-are-in/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [A small daily task, if it be really daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/a-small-daily-task-if-it-be-really-daily-will-beat-the-labours-of-a/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [You men find so many angels in your travels. 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That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/it-is-necessary-to-get-a-lot-of-men-together-for-the-show-of-the/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [“An accepted lover, who deserves to have been accepted, should devote every hour at his command to his mistress.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/an-accepted-lover-who-deserves-to-have-been-accepted-should-devote/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [Wine is valued by its price, not its flavour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/wine-is-valued-by-its-price-not-its-flavour/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [“(On Charles Dickens) It has been the peculiarity and the marvel of this man’s power, that he has invested his puppets with a charm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/on-charles-dickens-it-has-been-the-peculiarity-and-the-marvel-of-this/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [There is no road to wealth so easy and respectable as that of matrimony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/there-is-no-road-to-wealth-so-easy-and-respectable-as-that-of/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [I hold that gentleman to be the best-dressed whose dress no one observes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/i-hold-that-gentleman-to-be-the-best-dressed-whose-dress-no-one/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [But mad people never die. That's a well-known fact. They've nothing to trouble them, and they live for ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/but-mad-people-never-die-that-s-a-well-known-fact-they-ve-nothing-to/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [Since woman's rights have come up a young woman is better able to fight her own battle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/since-woman-s-rights-have-come-up-a-young-woman-is-better-able-to/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) > [“The heroes of life are so much better than the heroes of romance,” said Caroline.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-trollope/the-heroes-of-life-are-so-much-better-than-the-heroes-of-romance-said/) [Anthony Trollope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) [Explore all 448 Anthony Trollope quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-trollope/) ## More Education quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) Ted Martinez > [“In school you are taught to obey and not to think straight for your own good. 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They inspire you, they entertain you, and you end up learning a ton even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-sparks/what-s-the-best-thing-about-being-in-college-good-teachers-they/) [Nicholas Sparks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-sparks/) > [“If one has not a head of steel it will burst; if he has not within it a brain of liquid quicksilver, he will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ioannes-amos-commenius/if-one-has-not-a-head-of-steel-it-will-burst-if-he-has-not-within-it/) Ioannes Amos Commenius > [“let us not teach / what we have learned badly / and not profited by”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-d-hilda-doolittle/let-us-not-teach-what-we-have-learned-badly-and-not-profited-by/) H.D. (Hilda Doolittle > [“It took me years to learn to sit at my desk for more than two minutes at a time, to put up with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-jong/it-took-me-years-to-learn-to-sit-at-my-desk-for-more-than-two-minutes/) [Erica Jong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-jong/) > [According to Plato, we don't learn anything. Our soul has lived so many lives that we know everything. Teachers and education can only remind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/according-to-plato-we-don-t-learn-anything-our-soul-has-lived-so-many/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [“I only began to enjoy studying after I got through the educational system and became a so-called member of society. If something interested me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-only-began-to-enjoy-studying-after-i-got-through-the-educational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you had made the acquiring of ignorance the study of your life, you could not have graduated with higher honor than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-had-made-the-acquiring-of-ignorance-the-study-of-your-life-you/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [English teachers tend to put more thought in the books than the author did](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/english-teachers-tend-to-put-more-thought-in-the-books-than-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When will society, like a mother, take care of all her children?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-mann/when-will-society-like-a-mother-take-care-of-all-her-children/) [Horace Mann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-mann/) [Browse all 37,666 Education quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“It is seldom that we know anything accurately on any subject that we have not made matter of careful study,\" said Mr. Monk, \"and very often do not do so even then. 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