Knowledge Quote by Charles Van Doren
““But knowledge is not as much a prerequisite to understanding as is commonly supposed. We do not have to know everything about something in order to understand it; too many facts are often as much of an obstacle to understanding as too few.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli, 2013
Understanding does not require exhaustive knowledge; excess facts can hinder insight.
In simple terms: Too many facts can block understanding.
Key Takeaway
Focus on core concepts, not all details.
Themes
learning
understanding
information overload
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- studying
- research
- problem solving
- decision making
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What essential facts truly matter?
- How can you filter noise?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on data may cause analysis paralysis.
![“No one suffers so much as he [the genius] with the people, and, therefore, for the people, with whom he lives. For, in a certain sense, it is certainly only "by suffering" that a man knows. If compassion is not itself clear, abstractly conceivable or visibly symbolic knowledge, it is, at any rate…” quote by Otto Weininger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bec/otto-weininger-11319_acquisition_no-one-suffers-so-much-as-he-the-genius_20597.jpg)
![“I never knew any man who had once tasted the sweetness of experimental knowledge, that ever afterward fasted after ye Vapour garlick and onions of phantasmatical seeming philosophy." [William Petty]” quote by Carl Zimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e5a/carl-zimmer-16331_knowledge_i-never-knew-any-man-who-had-once-tasted_1770.jpg)
