--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I delight not in spreading any thing…" description: "\"I delight not in spreading any thing mysterious, for I consider it all lost time; but the things that all of us can see and know if we will.\" — Elias H..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/elias-hicks-24725_delight_i-delight-not-in-spreading-any-thing-mys_3085885.png" --- # I delight not in spreading any thing mysterious, for I… ![“I delight not in spreading any thing mysterious, for I consider it all lost time; but the things that all of us can see and know if we will.” quote by Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/elias-hicks-24725_delight_i-delight-not-in-spreading-any-thing-mys_3085885.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/elias-hicks-24725_delight_i-delight-not-in-spreading-any-thing-mys_3085885.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/elias-hicks-24725_delight_i-delight-not-in-spreading-any-thing-mys_3085885.png) > “I delight not in spreading any thing mysterious, for I consider it all lost time; but the things that all of us can see and know if we will.” [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Mysterious pursuits waste time; focus on observable, knowable truths for meaningful progress. **In simple terms:** Avoid chasing mysteries; value what is clear. Key Takeaway Prioritize tangible knowledge over speculation. Themes knowledge practicality time clarity Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - research - daily decision making - skill development Key Concepts empiricism skepticism efficiency Questions to Reflect On - What can be learned from the unknown? - How do you balance curiosity with practicality? A Different Perspective Neglecting mystery may limit creativity or wonder. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Delight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delight/) [Eugenics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eugenics/) [Lost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost/) [Lost time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lost-time/) [Mysterious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysterious/) [Mysterious Consider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mysterious-consider-5284702/) [Things Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/things-know/) ## Related quotes > [“Galton’s gospel of eugenics found fertile soil in Britain, in the intellectual salons of Europe, and in the United States. Beginning in the early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-loconte/galton-s-gospel-of-eugenics-found-fertile-soil-in-britain-in-the/) [Joseph Loconte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-loconte/) > [“In reality, of course, if any one age really attains, by eugenics and scientific education, the power to make its descendants what it pleases,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/in-reality-of-course-if-any-one-age-really-attains-by-eugenics-and/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [The undeniably feeble-minded should, indeed, not only be discouraged but prevented from propagating their kind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-sanger/the-undeniably-feeble-minded-should-indeed-not-only-be-discouraged/) [Margaret Sanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-sanger/) > [The prospect of cheap fusion energy is the worst thing that could happen to the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-rifkin/the-prospect-of-cheap-fusion-energy-is-the-worst-thing-that-could/) [Jeremy Rifkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-rifkin/) > [“The eugenics roots of minimum wage laws. Excerpt from \*Principles of Economics\*(1911) by Frank Taussig: "We have not reached the stage where we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-taussig/the-eugenics-roots-of-minimum-wage-laws-excerpt-from-principles-of/) [Frank Taussig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-taussig/) > [Ram, ass, and horse, my Kyrnos, we look over With care, and seek good stock for good to cover; And yet the best men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theognis-of-megara/ram-ass-and-horse-my-kyrnos-we-look-over-with-care-and-seek-good/) [Theognis of Megara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theognis-of-megara/) > [Positive psychology is to the corporate state what eugenics was to the Nazis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hedges/positive-psychology-is-to-the-corporate-state-what-eugenics-was-to/) [Chris Hedges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hedges/) > [Organized charity itself is. . . the surest sign that our civilization has bred, is breeding and is perpetuating constantly increasing numbers of defectives,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-sanger/organized-charity-itself-is-the-surest-sign-that-our-civilization-has/) [Margaret Sanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-sanger/) > [Though social eugenics was discredited long ago, we still often think of the genome in quasi-eugenic terms. When we read about the latest discovery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-wolf/though-social-eugenics-was-discredited-long-ago-we-still-often-think/) [Gary Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-wolf/) > [Eugenics asserts that all men must be so stupid that they cannot manage their own affairs; and also so clever that they can manage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/eugenics-asserts-that-all-men-must-be-so-stupid-that-they-cannot/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Or why it is acceptable to train fast runners and high jumpers but not to breed them. I can think of some answers, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/or-why-it-is-acceptable-to-train-fast-runners-and-high-jumpers-but/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Lebanon was under Israeli occupation, up to its capital, but we did not consider that a disaster. Why? Because it was very clear that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bashar-al-assad/lebanon-was-under-israeli-occupation-up-to-its-capital-but-we-did-not/) [Bashar al-Assad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bashar-al-assad/) > [The climate crisis is not a political issue, it is a moral and spiritual challenge to all of humanity. It is also our greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/the-climate-crisis-is-not-a-political-issue-it-is-a-moral-and/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [Eugenic goals are most likely to be attained under another name than eugenics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-osborn/eugenic-goals-are-most-likely-to-be-attained-under-another-name-than/) [Frederick Osborn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-osborn/) > [It's a great relationship when you can work with the person who you consider to be your soul mate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-derringer/it-s-a-great-relationship-when-you-can-work-with-the-person-who-you/) [Rick Derringer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-derringer/) ## More by Elias Hicks > [You are never tempted by a devil without you, but by a devil within you,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/you-are-never-tempted-by-a-devil-without-you-but-by-a-devil-within-you/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [It was of the greatest moment, and consequence, that they should believe in him when he came, for they could receive no benefit from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/it-was-of-the-greatest-moment-and-consequence-that-they-should/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [We have met on a solemn occasion, and in this crowded assembly there is one thing that appears important, that is, for every one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/we-have-met-on-a-solemn-occasion-and-in-this-crowded-assembly-there/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [People talk about revelation, and say it has ceased; but what ignorance it bespeaks, when man knows not the least thing on earth without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/people-talk-about-revelation-and-say-it-has-ceased-but-what-ignorance/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [To the Jews only, and not to the Gentiles, was a Saviour promised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/to-the-jews-only-and-not-to-the-gentiles-was-a-saviour-promised/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [You know that we have a great variety of ways to gratify our own desires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/you-know-that-we-have-a-great-variety-of-ways-to-gratify-our-own/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [O that our hearts were enlarged in love to God, that we might turn inward, to the blessed comforter, that the blessed Jesus said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/o-that-our-hearts-were-enlarged-in-love-to-god-that-we-might-turn/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [Just as a son, to be a son of man, must be of the same nature and spirit of his father; so with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/just-as-a-son-to-be-a-son-of-man-must-be-of-the-same-nature-and/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [In reading the scriptures of truth, we often put wrong constructions upon them, and apply them improperly; and I apprehend it has often been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/in-reading-the-scriptures-of-truth-we-often-put-wrong-constructions/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [Then, certainly, to be a Christian is to love God above all, and our neighbour as ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/then-certainly-to-be-a-christian-is-to-love-god-above-all-and-our/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [And so about many other things of the same nature, we are trying to make people believe these things, and we make creeds of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/and-so-about-many-other-things-of-the-same-nature-we-are-trying-to/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [And yet you see the weakness of external evidence-and outward miracles; they were not sufficient to make true believers, or to make the Israelites…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/and-yet-you-see-the-weakness-of-external-evidence-and-outward/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [What encouragement the apostle holds out to us. O my friends, that we might leave all our pretensions, and come to the truth in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/what-encouragement-the-apostle-holds-out-to-us-o-my-friends-that-we/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [To this light, then, would I recommend all, with mine own soul, - to this sure way of salvation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/to-this-light-then-would-i-recommend-all-with-mine-own-soul-to-this/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) > [But if we continue in sin, and rebel and harden our hearts, we shall become so inured and fixed in it, that it will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/but-if-we-continue-in-sin-and-rebel-and-harden-our-hearts-we-shall/) [Elias Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) [Explore all 24 Elias Hicks quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/) ## More Delight quotes > [She smiled with all the delight of a kid on Christmas morning and said, "Y'all smoke to enjoy it. I smoke to die." -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/she-smiled-with-all-the-delight-of-a-kid-on-christmas-morning-and/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Shhh.” He put a finger to her lips. “Hear me out. I cannot deny that I would've liked to have made babies with you.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hoyt/shhh-he-put-a-finger-to-her-lips-hear-me-out-i-cannot-deny-that-i/) [Elizabeth Hoyt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hoyt/) > [There is a spirit which I feel that delights to do no evil, nor to revenge any wrong, but delights to endure all things,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nayler/there-is-a-spirit-which-i-feel-that-delights-to-do-no-evil-nor-to/) [James Nayler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nayler/) > [There was an Old Man of Messina, Whose daughter was named Opsibeena; She wore a small wig, and rode out on a pig, To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-lear/there-was-an-old-man-of-messina-whose-daughter-was-named-opsibeena/) [Edward Lear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-lear/) > [A real flame of love is a subtle thing. It burns as a will-o'-the-wisp, dancing onward to fairy lands of delight. It roars as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-dreiser/a-real-flame-of-love-is-a-subtle-thing-it-burns-as-a-will-o-the-wisp/) [Theodore Dreiser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-dreiser/) > [“The gift of words, the source of enjoyment, the source of delight that comes within and the unfading beauty and energy of words.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/the-gift-of-words-the-source-of-enjoyment-the-source-of-delight-that/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [Benefits received are a delight to us as long as we think we can requite them; when that possibility is far exceeded, they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tacitus/benefits-received-are-a-delight-to-us-as-long-as-we-think-we-can/) [Tacitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tacitus/) > [All the world's bravery that delights our eyes is but thy several liveries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-cowley/all-the-world-s-bravery-that-delights-our-eyes-is-but-thy-several/) [Abraham Cowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-cowley/) > [It might be lonelier Without the Loneliness - I’m so accustomed to my Fate - Perhaps the Other - Peace - Would interrupt the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/it-might-be-lonelier-without-the-loneliness-i-m-so-accustomed-to-my/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [Design should do the same thing in everyday life that art does when encountered: amaze us, scare us or delight us, but certainly open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-betsky/design-should-do-the-same-thing-in-everyday-life-that-art-does-when/) [Aaron Betsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aaron-betsky/) > [My life shall be free and broad and great, and I will not be the slave to the sense delights which chained my ancient…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-london/my-life-shall-be-free-and-broad-and-great-and-i-will-not-be-the-slave/) [Jack London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-london/) > [Every natural power exhilarates; a true talent delights the possessor first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/every-natural-power-exhilarates-a-true-talent-delights-the-possessor/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we are to define science, ... it does not consist so much in knowing, nor even in "organized knowledge," as it does in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-sanders-peirce/if-we-are-to-define-science-it-does-not-consist-so-much-in-knowing/) [Charles Sanders Peirce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-sanders-peirce/) > [Significantly, God in Genesis 1 pronounces the rest of creation "good" before humanity is created. The psalmist and the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-clapp/significantly-god-in-genesis-1-pronounces-the-rest-of-creation-good/) [Rodney Clapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-clapp/) > [Being asked to play 'The Doctor' is an amazing privilege. Like the Doctor himself I find myself in a state of utter terror and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-capaldi/being-asked-to-play-the-doctor-is-an-amazing-privilege-like-the/) [Peter Capaldi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-capaldi/) [Browse all 2,212 Delight quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/delight/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I delight not in spreading any thing mysterious, for I consider it all lost time; but the things that all of us can see and know if we will.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Elias Hicks" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/i-delight-not-in-spreading-any-thing-mysterious-for-i-consider-it-all/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Delight" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/i-delight-not-in-spreading-any-thing-mysterious-for-i-consider-it-all/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/elias-hicks-24725_delight_i-delight-not-in-spreading-any-thing-mys_3085885.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/elias-hicks-24725_delight_i-delight-not-in-spreading-any-thing-mys_3085885.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d38/elias-hicks-24725_delight_i-delight-not-in-spreading-any-thing-mys_3085885.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I delight not in spreading any thing mysterious, for I consider it all lost time; but the things that all of…” — Elias Hicks", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Elias Hicks", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elias-hicks/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I delight not in spreading any...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/i-delight-not-in-spreading-any-thing-mysterious-for-i-consider-it-all/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elias-hicks/i-delight-not-in-spreading-any-thing-mysterious-for-i-consider-it-all/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```