--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do not try the parallels in that way: I…" description: "\"“Do not try the parallels in that way: I know that way all along. I have measured that bottomless night, and all the light and all the joy of my life w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2da/farkas-bolyai-50405_bolyai_do-not-try-the-parallels-in-that-way-i-k_1747424.png" --- # Do not try the parallels in that way: I know that way all… ![“Do not try the parallels in that way: I know that way all along. I have measured that bottomless night, and all the light and all the joy of my life went out there. [Having himself spent a lifetime unsuccessfully trying to prove Euclid's postulate that parallel lines do not meet, Farkas…” quote by Farkas Bolyai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2da/farkas-bolyai-50405_bolyai_do-not-try-the-parallels-in-that-way-i-k_1747424.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2da/farkas-bolyai-50405_bolyai_do-not-try-the-parallels-in-that-way-i-k_1747424.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2da/farkas-bolyai-50405_bolyai_do-not-try-the-parallels-in-that-way-i-k_1747424.png) > ““Do not try the parallels in that way: I know that way all along. I have measured that bottomless night, and all the light and all the joy of my life went out there. \[Having himself spent a lifetime unsuccessfully trying to prove Euclid's postulate that parallel lines do not meet, Farkas discouraged his son János from any further attempt.\]”” [Farkas Bolyai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/farkas-bolyai/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He warns against futile attempts to prove something already known, using the metaphor of measuring an endless night to illustrate wasted effort. **In simple terms:** Avoid chasing impossible proofs; focus on realistic goals. Key Takeaway Recognize limits, redirect effort. Themes philosophy science perseverance Mood reflective thoughtful Type advisory philosophical When to use this quote - academic research - personal projects - engineering challenges - mathematical proofs Key Concepts epistemology limits of proof Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions are you testing unnecessarily? - How can you reframe a dead‑end problem? A Different Perspective Even accepted limits, curiosity can drive valuable insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Euclid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/euclid/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Intercourse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intercourse/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Lewd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lewd/) [Math](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/math/) [Mathematics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mathematics/) [Parallel lines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parallel-lines/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) ## Related quotes > [“Please give it up. 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