--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We know so little of the why, what the…" description: "\"We know so little of the why, what the universe is, what infinity is. The veil around us is very fragile.\" — Conor McPherson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/724/conor-mcpherson-25915_around_we-know-so-little-of-the-why-what-the-un_1160178.jpg" --- # We know so little of the why, what the universe is, what… ![“We know so little of the why, what the universe is, what infinity is. The veil around us is very fragile.” quote by Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/724/conor-mcpherson-25915_around_we-know-so-little-of-the-why-what-the-un_1160178.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/724/conor-mcpherson-25915_around_we-know-so-little-of-the-why-what-the-un_1160178.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/724/conor-mcpherson-25915_around_we-know-so-little-of-the-why-what-the-un_1160178.jpg) > “We know so little of the why, what the universe is, what infinity is. The veil around us is very fragile.” [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. It expresses humility about humanity’s limited understanding of deep cosmic mysteries and the delicate nature of our perception. **In simple terms:** We barely grasp why things exist or how vast the universe is. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty and stay curious. Themes humility knowledge cosmos Mood wonder humble reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - scientific research - philosophical contemplation - education - spiritual reflection Key Concepts philosophy existential inquiry epistemology Questions to Reflect On - What does the “veil” represent for you? - How can we balance wonder with scientific rigor? A Different Perspective Our limited knowledge can lead to overconfidence in false explanations. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fragile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fragile/) [Infinity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infinity/) [Physics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/physics/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) ## Related quotes > [Visualize the soft white light continuing to expand as it gently swirls around, until it has filled the earth, the sky, the universe, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/visualize-the-soft-white-light-continuing-to-expand-as-it-gently/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [“Worlds and systems of worlds are only atoms compared to the universe of infinity. "This world of ours, while appearing large to us mortals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/worlds-and-systems-of-worlds-are-only-atoms-compared-to-the-universe/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Take away, O Lord, the veil of my heart while I read the Scriptures.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lancelot-andrewes/take-away-o-lord-the-veil-of-my-heart-while-i-read-the-scriptures/) [Lancelot Andrewes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lancelot-andrewes/) > [No government can make me wear a veil, no government can force me not to wear it either](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/no-government-can-make-me-wear-a-veil-no-government-can-force-me-not/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [I had a holiday job in a kitchen, but I think well draw a polite veil over that. There was nothing joyous or creative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/i-had-a-holiday-job-in-a-kitchen-but-i-think-well-draw-a-polite-veil/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [Now I am nothing but a veil; all my body is a veil beneath which a child sleeps.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriela-mistral/now-i-am-nothing-but-a-veil-all-my-body-is-a-veil-beneath-which-a/) [Gabriela Mistral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriela-mistral/) > [However we may conceal our passions under the veil ... there is always some place where they peep out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/however-we-may-conceal-our-passions-under-the-veil-there-is-always/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [Behind a veil, unseen yet present, I was the forceful soul that moved this mighty body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-racine/behind-a-veil-unseen-yet-present-i-was-the-forceful-soul-that-moved/) [Jean Racine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-racine/) > [If women had to promise to provide for a man for a lifetime before he removed his veil and showed her his smile, would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/if-women-had-to-promise-to-provide-for-a-man-for-a-lifetime-before-he/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [Like a saint's vision of beatitude. Like the veil of things as they seem drawn back by an unseen hand. For a second you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-o-neill/like-a-saint-s-vision-of-beatitude-like-the-veil-of-things-as-they/) [Eugene O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-o-neill/) > [The Quran says nothing about the veil, except for an injunction to veil the bosom, which is obvious. As for the face, Muhammad's wife…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-stanley-robinson/the-quran-says-nothing-about-the-veil-except-for-an-injunction-to/) [Kim Stanley Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-stanley-robinson/) > [For a privileged minority, Western democracy provides the leisure, the facilities, and the training to seek the truth lying hidden behind the veil of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/for-a-privileged-minority-western-democracy-provides-the-leisure-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Lift the veil that obscures the heart, and there you will find what you are looking for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/lift-the-veil-that-obscures-the-heart-and-there-you-will-find-what/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [I am whatever was, or is, or will be; and my veil no mortal ever took up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/i-am-whatever-was-or-is-or-will-be-and-my-veil-no-mortal-ever-took-up/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Eternity doth wear upon her face the veil of time. They only see the veil, and thus they know not what they stand so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-smith/eternity-doth-wear-upon-her-face-the-veil-of-time-they-only-see-the/) [Alexander Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-smith/) ## More by Conor McPherson > [I love stories that frame that: This is what life is about - you don't have a clue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/i-love-stories-that-frame-that-this-is-what-life-is-about-you-don-t/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [I started directing out of necessity, the first play I wrote in college because I didn't know anyone who could direct it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/i-started-directing-out-of-necessity-the-first-play-i-wrote-in/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [I could not flourish in the Hollywood system because the first thing spoken about is "What genre is it?" and "Who's it for?" It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/i-could-not-flourish-in-the-hollywood-system-because-the-first-thing/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [I have a theory about Ireland, being at the edge of Europe. For 1,000 years, people didnt know what was beyond. But we thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/i-have-a-theory-about-ireland-being-at-the-edge-of-europe-for-1-000/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [When people are out of their comfort zone, it’s more dramatic, more prone to have more entertaining experiences, get into fights. That’s the dramatic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/when-people-are-out-of-their-comfort-zone-it-s-more-dramatic-more/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [It's probably the last thing you think about when you're making a film is other people's problems. You're thinking about your problem, which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/it-s-probably-the-last-thing-you-think-about-when-you-re-making-a/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [I'm anxious about work, the future, friendships, past relationships... I'm just one of those people that, whatever I'm doing, it's a big worry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/i-m-anxious-about-work-the-future-friendships-past-relationships-i-m/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [I would love to make a 1830's period piece, a house in the country, a classic atmospheric haunted house movie, visually it would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/i-would-love-to-make-a-1830-s-period-piece-a-house-in-the-country-a/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [Directing is such a crucial part of the writing process; you start directing and you see what does not work. "Oh, God, what was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/directing-is-such-a-crucial-part-of-the-writing-process-you-start/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [I'm living as an artist, and that's a staggering feeling, it's a total luxury. And because you have this amazing chance, with so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/i-m-living-as-an-artist-and-that-s-a-staggering-feeling-it-s-a-total/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [I guess Im attracted and repelled by isolation. It scares me. And its why I tend to write about older characters, too, because for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/i-guess-im-attracted-and-repelled-by-isolation-it-scares-me-and-its/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [I guess I'm attracted and repelled by isolation. It scares me. And it's why I tend to write about older characters, too, because for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/i-guess-i-m-attracted-and-repelled-by-isolation-it-scares-me-and-it-s/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [We're all ordinary in a way. We can all be hurt. We can all be unbalanced. We all have feelings. Life can treat us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/we-re-all-ordinary-in-a-way-we-can-all-be-hurt-we-can-all-be/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [If I wasn't plagued by needing to write things, that would perhaps be a blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/if-i-wasn-t-plagued-by-needing-to-write-things-that-would-perhaps-be/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) > [“And the barman asked me if I was alright? Simple little question. And i said I was. And he said he'd make me a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conor-mcpherson/and-the-barman-asked-me-if-i-was-alright-simple-little-question-and-i/) [Conor McPherson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) [Explore all 22 Conor McPherson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conor-mcpherson/) ## More Around quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [I guess, it's a father's dream for his daughter to be known around the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liza-soberano/i-guess-it-s-a-father-s-dream-for-his-daughter-to-be-known-around-the/) [Liza Soberano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liza-soberano/) > [I've been to Manchester enough to know it's a real place. It's not Factory Records and the Smiths bicycling around. I get it. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-murphy/i-ve-been-to-manchester-enough-to-know-it-s-a-real-place-it-s-not/) [James Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-murphy/) > [I guess I'm attracted to things that are fun. I guess what is fun about this role in 'Suburgatory' is that there's a lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-tudyk/i-guess-i-m-attracted-to-things-that-are-fun-i-guess-what-is-fun/) [Alan Tudyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-tudyk/) > [When I was a teen, I would draw a really, really long line around my eyes with eyeliner, like Lola Flores.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalia/when-i-was-a-teen-i-would-draw-a-really-really-long-line-around-my/) [Rosalia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalia/) > [I think the issues around diversity of all kinds are really a huge problem in the startup world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-lyons/i-think-the-issues-around-diversity-of-all-kinds-are-really-a-huge/) [Daniel Lyons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-lyons/) > [You always hear actors say, 'Theater is my first love,' and it is. It's a time when you really get to do what you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-landecker/you-always-hear-actors-say-theater-is-my-first-love-and-it-is-it-s-a/) [Amy Landecker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-landecker/) > [Not having drops and not taking plays off, if I do that it will make everyone around me better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demaryius-thomas/not-having-drops-and-not-taking-plays-off-if-i-do-that-it-will-make/) [Demaryius Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demaryius-thomas/) > [I can look around a room and tell you if there are hidden cameras or not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-ash/i-can-look-around-a-room-and-tell-you-if-there-are-hidden-cameras-or/) [Lauren Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-ash/) > [You couldn't get me to go travel around and sit in a hotel room again. I have no interest in doing that. So everybody's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-everly/you-couldn-t-get-me-to-go-travel-around-and-sit-in-a-hotel-room-again/) [Phil Everly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-everly/) > [I drink maple syrup. Then I'm hyper so I just run around like crazy and work it all off.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-mcadams/i-drink-maple-syrup-then-i-m-hyper-so-i-just-run-around-like-crazy/) [Rachel McAdams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-mcadams/) > [Music is almost like a therapy for me. It helps keep me centered and think straight. Before I discovered it, I was walking around,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/banks/music-is-almost-like-a-therapy-for-me-it-helps-keep-me-centered-and/) [Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/banks/) > [I have to say, I grew up with fashion because my mother was a seamstress, and she had an atelier. She would cut the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donatella-versace/i-have-to-say-i-grew-up-with-fashion-because-my-mother-was-a/) [Donatella Versace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donatella-versace/) > [Curiosity is the essence of human existence. 'Who are we? Where are we? Where do we come from? Where are we going?'... I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/curiosity-is-the-essence-of-human-existence-who-are-we-where-are-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I became an MP in 2017 and have been around to watch Liberal Democrat party membership soar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/layla-moran/i-became-an-mp-in-2017-and-have-been-around-to-watch-liberal-democrat/) [Layla Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/layla-moran/) Browse all 7,275 Around quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We know so little of the why, what the universe is, what infinity is. 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