--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Much Madness is Divinest Sense, to a…" description: "\"Much Madness is Divinest Sense, to a Discerning Eye…\" — Emily Dickinson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/emily-dickinson-310_eye_much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a-disc_1423719.jpg" --- # Much Madness is Divinest Sense, to a Discerning Eye… ![“Much Madness is Divinest Sense, to a Discerning Eye…” quote by Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/emily-dickinson-310_eye_much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a-disc_1423719.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/emily-dickinson-310_eye_much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a-disc_1423719.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/emily-dickinson-310_eye_much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a-disc_1423719.jpg) > “Much Madness is Divinest Sense, to a Discerning Eye…” [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She suggests that what appears mad to the masses may be profound insight to those who truly understand. **In simple terms:** Madness can be deep insight for discerning minds. Key Takeaway Value unconventional perspectives that challenge norms. Themes perception insight conformity Mood thought‑provoking philosophical Type literary reflective When to use this quote - academic debate - creative brainstorming - social activism - personal reflection Key Concepts madness divinity discernment Questions to Reflect On - How do you recognize true insight amid criticism? - When have you embraced a view deemed “mad” by others? A Different Perspective Society often marginalizes unconventional ideas. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Madness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/madness/) ## Related quotes > [Much Madness is divinest Sense -- To a discerning Eye -- Much Sense -- the starkest Madness -- 'Tis the Majority In this, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a-discerning-eye-much-sense-the/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [“ Much Madness Is Divinest Sense Much Madness is divinest Sense — To a discerning Eye — Much Sense — the starkest Madness —…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/much-madness-is-divinest-sense-much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [Men have got more of a discerning eye. They appreciate cut and details, things that aren't so obvious. They like things that have cachet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-galliano/men-have-got-more-of-a-discerning-eye-they-appreciate-cut-and-details/) [John Galliano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-galliano/) > [A discerning eye needs only a hint, and understatement leaves the imagination free to build its own elaborations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-page/a-discerning-eye-needs-only-a-hint-and-understatement-leaves-the/) [Russell Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-page/) > [I've always tried to have a pretty discerning eye with the roles that I've picked, which is maybe why it seems like I take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristin-milioti/i-ve-always-tried-to-have-a-pretty-discerning-eye-with-the-roles-that/) [Cristin Milioti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristin-milioti/) > [I try to take off the rose-colored glasses and view it in all facets, but I probably would be lying if I didn't say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-clarkson/i-try-to-take-off-the-rose-colored-glasses-and-view-it-in-all-facets/) [Patricia Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-clarkson/) > [And Something's odd - within - That person that I was - And this One - do not feel the same - Could it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/and-something-s-odd-within-that-person-that-i-was-and-this-one-do-not/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [My first job with a network was 'General Hospital,' and that was ABC. I feel like I have so much history with them, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-ray-newman/my-first-job-with-a-network-was-general-hospital-and-that-was-abc-i/) [Jaime Ray Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-ray-newman/) > [“He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/he-who-knows-other-men-is-discerning-he-who-knows-himself-is/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [If you feel a great loneliness and a deep longing for human contact, you have to be extremely discerning...and ask yourself whether this situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/if-you-feel-a-great-loneliness-and-a-deep-longing-for-human-contact/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [When we have an inner initiation into pure love, we are in contact with our true nature. Judgment of ourselves and others disappears. Compassionate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beckwith/when-we-have-an-inner-initiation-into-pure-love-we-are-in-contact/) [Michael Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beckwith/) > [Political journalists love graduate student intelligence, the ability to make clever allusions in seminars, and in 1999-2000 they hassled George W. Bush for not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-olasky/political-journalists-love-graduate-student-intelligence-the-ability/) [Marvin Olasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-olasky/) > [There are certain times you rattle the press's cages, and other times you don't, and you have to be discerning about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-fleischer/there-are-certain-times-you-rattle-the-press-s-cages-and-other-times/) [Ari Fleischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-fleischer/) > [The sectaries of a persecuted religion, depressed by fear, animated with resentment, and perhaps heated by enthusiasm, are seldom in a proper temper of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-sectaries-of-a-persecuted-religion-depressed-by-fear-animated/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Kids, if anything, are harder to write for because they are a more discerning audience. They will not stay with you if you go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/kids-if-anything-are-harder-to-write-for-because-they-are-a-more/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More by Emily Dickinson > [A Light exists in Spring Not present on the Year At any other period - When March is scarcely here A Color stands abroad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/a-light-exists-in-spring-not-present-on-the-year-at-any-other-period/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [I could not prove the Years had feet-/Yet confident they run.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/i-could-not-prove-the-years-had-feet-yet-confident-they-run/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [How softly summer shuts, without the creaking of a door.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/how-softly-summer-shuts-without-the-creaking-of-a-door/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [“Could you tell me how to grow--or is it unconveyed--like Melody--or Witchcraft?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/could-you-tell-me-how-to-grow-or-is-it-unconveyed-like-melody-or/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [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/) > [“Inebriate of Air — am I — And Debauchee of Dew — Reeling — thro endless summer days — From Inns of Molten Blue —”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/inebriate-of-air-am-i-and-debauchee-of-dew-reeling-thro-endless/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [Luck is not chance, it's toil; fortune's expensive smile is earned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/luck-is-not-chance-it-s-toil-fortune-s-expensive-smile-is-earned/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [The abdication of Belief Makes the Behavior small- Better an ignis fatuus Than no illume at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/the-abdication-of-belief-makes-the-behavior-small-better-an-ignis/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [Longing is like a seed that wrestles in the ground](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/longing-is-like-a-seed-that-wrestles-in-the-ground/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [“He ate and drank the precious words, His spirit grew robust; He knew no more that he was poor, Nor that his frame was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/he-ate-and-drank-the-precious-words-his-spirit-grew-robust-he-knew-no/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [I SEE thee better in the dark, I do not need a light. The love of thee a prism be Excelling violet. I see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/i-see-thee-better-in-the-dark-i-do-not-need-a-light-the-love-of-thee/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [One step at a time is all it takes to get you there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/one-step-at-a-time-is-all-it-takes-to-get-you-there/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [“Whose fingers string the stalactite- Who counts the Wampum of the night”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/whose-fingers-string-the-stalactite-who-counts-the-wampum-of-the-night/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [My life closed twice before its close](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/my-life-closed-twice-before-its-close/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [Until you have loved, you cannot become yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/until-you-have-loved-you-cannot-become-yourself/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) [Explore all 692 Emily Dickinson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) ## More Discerning quotes > [Kids, if anything, are harder to write for because they are a more discerning audience. 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Bush for not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-olasky/political-journalists-love-graduate-student-intelligence-the-ability/) [Marvin Olasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-olasky/) > [When we have an inner initiation into pure love, we are in contact with our true nature. Judgment of ourselves and others disappears. Compassionate,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-beckwith/when-we-have-an-inner-initiation-into-pure-love-we-are-in-contact/) [Michael Beckwith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-beckwith/) > [If you feel a great loneliness and a deep longing for human contact, you have to be extremely discerning...and ask yourself whether this situation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-nouwen/if-you-feel-a-great-loneliness-and-a-deep-longing-for-human-contact/) [Henri Nouwen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-nouwen/) > [“He who knows other men is discerning; he who knows himself is intelligent. He who overcomes others is strong; he who overcomes himself is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lao-tzu/he-who-knows-other-men-is-discerning-he-who-knows-himself-is/) [Lao Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lao-tzu/) > [My first job with a network was 'General Hospital,' and that was ABC. I feel like I have so much history with them, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaime-ray-newman/my-first-job-with-a-network-was-general-hospital-and-that-was-abc-i/) [Jaime Ray Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaime-ray-newman/) > [If I were to offer any advice to young writers, it would be this: be discriminating and be discerning about the work you set…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-l-pez/if-i-were-to-offer-any-advice-to-young-writers-it-would-be-this-be/) [Barry Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-l-pez/) > [A discerning man, when he eats grapes, takes only the ripe ones and leaves the sour. Thus also the discerning mind carefully marks the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-climacus/a-discerning-man-when-he-eats-grapes-takes-only-the-ripe-ones-and/) [John Climacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-climacus/) > ['The Observer's Very Short List' is another example of how the Observer Media Group offers its readers the most cutting-edge information, available in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-kushner/the-observer-s-very-short-list-is-another-example-of-how-the-observer/) [Jared Kushner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-kushner/) > [“Not every good idea is God's perfect will for you; it may need discerning, wisdom and experience to tell the difference.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-lucas-d-shallua/not-every-good-idea-is-god-s-perfect-will-for-you-it-may-need/) [Dr. Lucas D. Shallua](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-lucas-d-shallua/) > [We are all responsible to Jesus first, and then, under him, to various other persons and offices. Discerning the path of love and obedience…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/we-are-all-responsible-to-jesus-first-and-then-under-him-to-various/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [A passion for continual learning, a refined, discerning ear for the moral and ethical consequences of their actions, and an understanding of the purposes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-g-bennis/a-passion-for-continual-learning-a-refined-discerning-ear-for-the/) [Warren G. Bennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-g-bennis/) > [The world of counterterrorism is like that old jigsaw puzzle in the back of the closet: Its many missing pieces and extra parts jumbled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-l-haney/the-world-of-counterterrorism-is-like-that-old-jigsaw-puzzle-in-the/) [Eric L. Haney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-l-haney/) Browse all 140 Discerning quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Much Madness is Divinest Sense, to a Discerning Eye…", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Emily Dickinson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a-discerning-eye/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Discerning" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a-discerning-eye/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/emily-dickinson-310_eye_much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a-disc_1423719.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/emily-dickinson-310_eye_much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a-disc_1423719.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/emily-dickinson-310_eye_much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a-disc_1423719.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Much Madness is Divinest Sense, to a Discerning Eye…” — Emily Dickinson", "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": "Emily Dickinson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Much Madness is Divinest Sense, to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a-discerning-eye/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/much-madness-is-divinest-sense-to-a-discerning-eye/#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 } } ] } ```