Activity Quote by Aristotle
“Actual knowledge is identical with its object: in the individual, potential knowledge is in time prior to actual knowledge, but in the universe as a whole it is not prior even in time. Mind is not at one time knowing and at another not. When mind is set free from its present conditions it appears as just what it is and nothing more: this alone is immortal and eternal (we do not, however, remember its former activity because, while mind in this sense is impassible, mind as passive is destructible), and without it nothing thinks.”
About This Quote
Source Treat: Metaphysics, Book VII, Aristotle, 4th century BC
The quote suggests that true knowledge exists independently of time, and that the mind, when freed from present conditions, reveals its immutable, eternal nature, which is the source of thought.
In simple terms: True knowledge exists beyond time; freed mind is eternal.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the timeless nature of knowledge.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
mind
eternity
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic study
- personal meditation
- creative problem solving
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Metaphysics
potential vs actual knowledge
mind-body dualism
Questions to Reflect On
- How does recognizing timeless knowledge affect your daily decisions?
- Can the mind be truly freed from present conditions?
A Different Perspective
The concept of timeless knowledge may be abstract and hard to apply practically.
