--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Words of wisdom for every photographer…" description: "\"Words of wisdom for every photographer: 'Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking'. So said Goethe.\" — Bill Jay" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/bill-jay-14930_interesting_words-of-wisdom-for-every-photographer-t_3021224.jpg" --- # Words of wisdom for every photographer: 'Thinking is more… ![“Words of wisdom for every photographer: 'Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking'. So said Goethe.” quote by Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/bill-jay-14930_interesting_words-of-wisdom-for-every-photographer-t_3021224.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/bill-jay-14930_interesting_words-of-wisdom-for-every-photographer-t_3021224.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bce/bill-jay-14930_interesting_words-of-wisdom-for-every-photographer-t_3021224.jpg) > “Words of wisdom for every photographer: 'Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking'. So said Goethe.” [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Thinking is more engaging than knowing, yet observing surpasses both; observation fuels deeper insight. **In simple terms:** Thinking > knowing; seeing > thinking. Key Takeaway Prioritize observation. Themes thinking knowing observation creativity Mood thoughtful inspired Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - photography - research - learning - artistic practice Key Concepts epistemology mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How can you train yourself to observe more? - What observations have changed your perspective? A Different Perspective Observation requires patience and practice. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Interesting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interesting/) [Knowing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowing/) [Knowing Interesting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowing-interesting-534534/) [Photographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photographer/) [Photographer Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photographer-thinking-4891612/) [Photography](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/photography/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Said Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said-goethe-3155979/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Thinking Interesting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking-interesting-764627/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) [Wisdom Photographer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom-photographer-4891613/) [Words of wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-of-wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [Thinking is more interesting than knowing, but less interesting than looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/thinking-is-more-interesting-than-knowing-but-less-interesting-than/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The purpose of photography is the transmission of a visualized sector of life through the medium of the camera into a mental process that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-vishniac/the-purpose-of-photography-is-the-transmission-of-a-visualized-sector/) [Roman Vishniac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-vishniac/) > [“The rhythm," said Goethe, "is an unconscious result of the poetic mood. 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It will go on...We are here not because we are law-breakers; we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emmeline-pankhurst/the-government-must-not-think-that-they-can-stop-this-agitation-it/) [Emmeline Pankhurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emmeline-pankhurst/) > [“If attempting to make the world a civilized one, makes you a bad woman in the eyes of the dumb patriarchal society, then, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/if-attempting-to-make-the-world-a-civilized-one-makes-you-a-bad-woman/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) ## More by Bill Jay > [I appreciate photographs which celebrate harmony. I don't particularly want to look at chaos. I see enough of that at home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/i-appreciate-photographs-which-celebrate-harmony-i-don-t-particularly/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [I agree, intellectualism in photography is overrated. I just wish it could be replaced by common sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/i-agree-intellectualism-in-photography-is-overrated-i-just-wish-it/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [Why do photographers photograph? To make unreality visible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-jay/why-do-photographers-photograph-to-make-unreality-visible/) [Bill Jay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-jay/) > [There are many reasons why photography does not attract the social and cultural attention it deserves. 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