--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My desire for knowledge is intermittent…" description: "\"My desire for knowledge is intermittent; but my desire to bathe my head in atmospheres unknown to my feet is perennial and constant. The highest that w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ec/henry-david-thoreau-20_amount_my-desire-for-knowledge-is-intermittent_359760.jpg" --- # My desire for knowledge is intermittent; but my desire to… ![“My desire for knowledge is intermittent; but my desire to bathe my head in atmospheres unknown to my feet is perennial and constant. The highest that we can attain to is not Knowledge, but Sympathy with Intelligence. I do not know that this higher knowledge amounts to anything more definite than a…” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ec/henry-david-thoreau-20_amount_my-desire-for-knowledge-is-intermittent_359760.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ec/henry-david-thoreau-20_amount_my-desire-for-knowledge-is-intermittent_359760.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4ec/henry-david-thoreau-20_amount_my-desire-for-knowledge-is-intermittent_359760.jpg) > “My desire for knowledge is intermittent; but my desire to bathe my head in atmospheres unknown to my feet is perennial and constant. The highest that we can attain to is not Knowledge, but Sympathy with Intelligence. I do not know that this higher knowledge amounts to anything more definite than a novel and grand surprise on a sudden revelation of the insufficiency of all that we called Knowledge before,—a discovery that there are more things in heaven and earth than are dreamed of in our philosophy.” [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True wisdom lies not in accumulating facts but in developing empathy and a deeper connection with the unknown, revealing that our current knowledge is limited and often surprising. **In simple terms:** Real insight comes from feeling and intuition, not just facts. Key Takeaway Seek empathy and wonder beyond mere facts. Themes knowledge empathy philosophy humility exploration Mood contemplative inspired thoughtful Type essay philosophical reflective When to use this quote - scientific research - personal meditation - educational curricula - travel experiences - spiritual practice Key Concepts epistemology existential wonder intellectual humility Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance factual learning with empathetic insight? - What unknown realms invite your curiosity today? A Different Perspective Over‑emphasis on empathy may neglect practical application of knowledge. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desire for knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-for-knowledge/) [Discovery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discovery/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Heaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven/) [Heaven and earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heaven-and-earth/) [Insufficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insufficiency/) [Intermittent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intermittent/) [Novel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/novel/) [Philosophy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy/) [Revelations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revelations/) [Surprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surprise/) ## Related quotes > [“My desire for knowledge is intermittent, but my desire to bathe my head in atmospheres unknown to my feet is perennial and constant. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/my-desire-for-knowledge-is-intermittent-but-my-desire-to-bathe-my-2/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [My desire for knowledge is intermittent; but my desire to commune with the spirit of the universe, to be intoxicated with the fumes, call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/my-desire-for-knowledge-is-intermittent-but-my-desire-to-commune-with/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The highest that we can attain to is not Knowledge, but Sympathy with Intelligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-highest-that-we-can-attain-to-is-not-knowledge-but-sympathy-with/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [We have heard of a Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge. It is said that knowledge is power, and the like. 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