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Ignorant Quote by Harold Pinter

“How can the unknown merit reverence? In other words how can you revere that of which you are ignorant? At the same time, it would be ridiculous to propose that what we know merits reverence. What we know merits any one of a number of things, but it stands to reason reverence isn't one of them. In…” quote by Harold Pinter
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“How can the unknown merit reverence? In other words how can you revere that of which you are ignorant? At the same time, it would be ridiculous to propose that what we know merits reverence. What we know merits any one of a number of things, but it stands to reason reverence isn't one of them. In other words, apart from the known and the unknown, what else is there?”

Harold Pinter

About This Quote

Source Essay: Unknown Author, date unknown

The passage questions whether reverence can be directed toward what we do not know, suggesting that reverence is not appropriate for either known or unknown things, and probing what else might exist beyond these categories.

In simple terms: Can we respect something we don’t understand?

Key Takeaway

Consider what lies beyond knowledge and ignorance.

Themes

philosophy epistemology existential

Mood

contemplative skeptical

Type

philosophical inquisitive

When to use this quote

  • personal reflection
  • academic debate
  • spiritual practice

Key Concepts

metacognition theology ontology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What can we truly revere without knowledge?
  • Is there value in reverence itself?
A Different Perspective

Reverence may be misplaced without understanding.

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