Dreams Quote by Edgar Allan Poe
““He impaired his vision by holding the object too close. He might see, perhaps, one or two points with unusual clearness, but in so doing he, necessarily, lost sight of the matter as a whole. Thus there is such a thing as being too profound. Truth is not always in a well. In fact, as regards the more important knowledge, I do believe that she is invariably superficial. The depth lies in the valleys where we seek her, and not upon the mountain-tops where she is found.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Philosophy of Depth, 1845
Excessive focus on detail blinds one to the larger picture; true knowledge often lies in simplicity, not in over‑analysis.
In simple terms: Too much detail hides the whole truth.
Key Takeaway
Balance detail with big‑picture view.
Themes
knowledge
perception
depth
simplicity
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
cautious
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research
- education
- problem solving
Key Concepts
philosophy
cognitive bias
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- When does simplicity become a flaw?
- How can we avoid missing the forest for the trees?
A Different Perspective
Over‑simplification can miss nuance.
