--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A true philosopher is like an elephant…" description: "\"A true philosopher is like an elephant; he never puts the second foot down until the first one is solidly in place.\" — Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b66/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenell_elephants_a-true-philosopher-is-like-an-elephant-h_867942.png" --- # A true philosopher is like an elephant; he never puts the… ![“A true philosopher is like an elephant; he never puts the second foot down until the first one is solidly in place.” quote by Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b66/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenell_elephants_a-true-philosopher-is-like-an-elephant-h_867942.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b66/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenell_elephants_a-true-philosopher-is-like-an-elephant-h_867942.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b66/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenell_elephants_a-true-philosopher-is-like-an-elephant-h_867942.png) > “A true philosopher is like an elephant; he never puts the second foot down until the first one is solidly in place.” [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A philosopher should wait for solid foundations before advancing further, ensuring stability before progress. **In simple terms:** Build on firm ground before moving forward. Key Takeaway Ensure foundations are secure before taking next steps. Themes philosophy patience methodology Mood reflective thoughtful Type advisory philosophical When to use this quote - academic research - personal decisions - career planning - project development Key Concepts foundationalism incremental reasoning Questions to Reflect On - What foundations do you need to solidify before advancing? - How does patience affect long‑term success? A Different Perspective Rushing can lead to fragile outcomes if foundations are weak. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Elephants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elephants/) [Philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosopher/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) ## Related quotes > [I have a memory like an elephant. 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He had discovered a great law of human action, without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/tom-said-to-himself-that-it-was-not-such-a-hollow-world-after-all-he-2/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [You cannot believe what you are saying." "Well, no. Hardly ever. But the philosopher is like the poet. The latter composes ideal letters for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/you-cannot-believe-what-you-are-saying-well-no-hardly-ever-but-the/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [“The philosopher is like a man fasting in the midst of universal intoxication. 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Oh! If man were robbed of his fantasies, what pleasure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/ah-si-l-on-o-tait-les-chime-res-aux-hommes-quel-plaisir-leur/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [I detest war; it ruins conversation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/i-detest-war-it-ruins-conversation/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [As astronomy is the daughter of idleness, geometry is the daughter of property.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/as-astronomy-is-the-daughter-of-idleness-geometry-is-the-daughter-of/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [Let us be well assured of the Matter of Fact, before we trouble our selves with enquiring into the Cause. It is true, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/let-us-be-well-assured-of-the-matter-of-fact-before-we-trouble-our/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [I shall leave the world without regret, for it hardly contains a single good listener.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/i-shall-leave-the-world-without-regret-for-it-hardly-contains-a/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [The judgment may be compared to a clock or watch, where the most ordinary machine is sufficient to tell the hours; but the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/the-judgment-may-be-compared-to-a-clock-or-watch-where-the-most/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [To be happy, one must have a good stomach and a bad heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/to-be-happy-one-must-have-a-good-stomach-and-a-bad-heart/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) [Explore all 46 Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) ## More Elephants quotes > [I have a memory like an elephant. 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