--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is, so I believe, in the essence of…" description: "\"There is, so I believe, in the essence of everything, something that we cannot call learning. There is, my friend, only a knowledge-that is everywhere,..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97d/hermann-hesse-130_atman_there-is-so-i-believe-in-the-essence-of_2246653.png" --- # There is, so I believe, in the essence of everything… ![“There is, so I believe, in the essence of everything, something that we cannot call learning. There is, my friend, only a knowledge-that is everywhere, that is Atman, that is in me and you and in every creature, and I am beginning to believe that this knowledge has no worse enemy than the man of…” quote by Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97d/hermann-hesse-130_atman_there-is-so-i-believe-in-the-essence-of_2246653.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97d/hermann-hesse-130_atman_there-is-so-i-believe-in-the-essence-of_2246653.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/97d/hermann-hesse-130_atman_there-is-so-i-believe-in-the-essence-of_2246653.png) > “There is, so I believe, in the essence of everything, something that we cannot call learning. There is, my friend, only a knowledge-that is everywhere, that is Atman, that is in me and you and in every creature, and I am beginning to believe that this knowledge has no worse enemy than the man of knowledge, than learning.” [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. There exists an innate, universal knowledge (Atman) that transcends formal learning, which can be hindered by intellectual pride. **In simple terms:** Innate knowledge beyond learning. Key Takeaway Embrace inner knowing. Themes spirituality self-knowledge humility Mood introspective serene Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal meditation - creative work - teaching - psychotherapy Key Concepts Atman inner wisdom ego Questions to Reflect On - How does ego limit learning? - What practices reveal inner knowledge? A Different Perspective Intellectual arrogance blocks true insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Atman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atman/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Essence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essence/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Siddhartha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/siddhartha/) ## Related quotes > [The reason why I do not know anything about myself, the reason why Siddhartha has remained alien and unknown to myself is due to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/the-reason-why-i-do-not-know-anything-about-myself-the-reason-why/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [There is, so I believe, in the essence of everything, something that we cannot call learning. There is, my friend, only a knowledge -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/there-is-so-i-believe-in-the-essence-of-everything-something-that-we-2/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Learning is a friend on the journey; a wife in the house; medicine in sickness; and religious merit is the only friend after death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/learning-is-a-friend-on-the-journey-a-wife-in-the-house-medicine-in/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [Siddhartha stopped fighting his fate this very hour, and he stopped suffering.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/siddhartha-stopped-fighting-his-fate-this-very-hour-and-he-stopped/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [You do not really love me — you love nobody. Is that not true?" "Maybe," said Siddhartha wearily. "I am like you. You cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/you-do-not-really-love-me-you-love-nobody-is-that-not-true-maybe-said/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“Seeking nothing, emulating nothing, breathing gently, he moved in an atmosphere of imperishable calm, impresihable light, inviolable peace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/seeking-nothing-emulating-nothing-breathing-gently-he-moved-in-an/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [I have always thirsted for knowledge, I have always been full of questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/i-have-always-thirsted-for-knowledge-i-have-always-been-full-of/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [He looked around, as if he was seeing the world for the first time. Beautiful was the world, colorful was the world, strange and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/he-looked-around-as-if-he-was-seeing-the-world-for-the-first-time/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Siddhartha has one single goal-to become empty, to become empty of thirst, desire, dreams, pleasure and sorrow-to let the Self die. No longer to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/siddhartha-has-one-single-goal-to-become-empty-to-become-empty-of/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“Having been pondering while slowly walking along, he now stopped as these thoughts caught hold of him, and right away another thought sprang forth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/having-been-pondering-while-slowly-walking-along-he-now-stopped-as/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“Ephemeral, highly ephemeral is the world of formations; ephemeral, highly ephemeral are our clothes and hairstyles, and our hair and our bodies themselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/ephemeral-highly-ephemeral-is-the-world-of-formations-ephemeral/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“He sat thus, lost in meditation, thinking Om, his soul as the arrow directed at Brahman.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/he-sat-thus-lost-in-meditation-thinking-om-his-soul-as-the-arrow/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Whether it is good or evil, whether life in itself is pain or pleasure, whether it is uncertain-that it may perhaps be this is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/whether-it-is-good-or-evil-whether-life-in-itself-is-pain-or-pleasure/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [I want to learn from myself, want to be my student, want to get to know myself, the secret of Siddhartha.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/i-want-to-learn-from-myself-want-to-be-my-student-want-to-get-to-know/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“When someone is searching then it might easily happen that the only thing his eyes still see is that what he searches for, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/when-someone-is-searching-then-it-might-easily-happen-that-the-only/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) ## More by Hermann Hesse > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Therefore, I see whatever exists as good, death is to me like life, sin like holiness, wisdom like foolishness, everything has to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/therefore-i-see-whatever-exists-as-good-death-is-to-me-like-life-sin/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [A home isn't just a roof over our heads. A home is a place where we feel loved and where we love others. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/a-home-isn-t-just-a-roof-over-our-heads-a-home-is-a-place-where-we/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Fortunately, like most children, I had learned what is most valuable, most indispensable for life before school years began, taught by apple trees, by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/fortunately-like-most-children-i-had-learned-what-is-most-valuable/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“The mistaken and unhappy notion that a man is an enduring unity is known to you. It is also known to you that a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/the-mistaken-and-unhappy-notion-that-a-man-is-an-enduring-unity-is/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“... it would be better for our country and the world in general, if at least the few people who were capable of thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/it-would-be-better-for-our-country-and-the-world-in-general-if-at/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Who would be born must first destroy a world. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/the-bird-fights-its-way-out-of-the-egg-the-egg-is-the-world-who-would/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Everything becomes a little different as soon as it is spoken out loud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/everything-becomes-a-little-different-as-soon-as-it-is-spoken-out-loud/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [It may be important to great thinkers to examine the world, to explain and despise it. But I think it is only important to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/it-may-be-important-to-great-thinkers-to-examine-the-world-to-explain/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“..it is useless for you to build walls and dormitories and chapels and churches. Death looks through the window and laughs..”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/it-is-useless-for-you-to-build-walls-and-dormitories-and-chapels-and/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“When the world is at peace, when all things are tranquil and all men obey their superiors in all their courses, then music can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/when-the-world-is-at-peace-when-all-things-are-tranquil-and-all-men/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [A mere nothing suffices — and the lightning strikes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/a-mere-nothing-suffices-and-the-lightning-strikes/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [“And if time is not real, then the dividing line that seems to lie between this world and eternity, between suffering and bliss, between…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/and-if-time-is-not-real-then-the-dividing-line-that-seems-to-lie/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Beautiful was this world, looking at it thus, without searching, thus simply, thus childlike.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/beautiful-was-this-world-looking-at-it-thus-without-searching-thus/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Were not the gods forms created like me and you, mortal, transient?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/were-not-the-gods-forms-created-like-me-and-you-mortal-transient/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) [Explore all 951 Hermann Hesse quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) ## More Atman quotes > [Two ideas are psychologically deep-rooted in man: self-protection and self-preservation. For self-protection man has created God, on whom he depends for his own protection,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walpola-rahula/two-ideas-are-psychologically-deep-rooted-in-man-self-protection-and/) [Walpola Rahula](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walpola-rahula/) > [Those who die, merely suffering the woes of life like cats and dogs, are they human beings? The worthy are those who, even when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/those-who-die-merely-suffering-the-woes-of-life-like-cats-and-dogs/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“Hate not the most abject sinner, look not to his exterior. Turn thy gaze inward, where resides the Paramatman. Proclaim to the whole world…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/hate-not-the-most-abject-sinner-look-not-to-his-exterior-turn-thy/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [All that you seek is already within you. In Hinduism it is called the Atman, in Buddhism the pure Buddha-Mind. Christ said, 'the kingdom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/all-that-you-seek-is-already-within-you-in-hinduism-it-is-called-the/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [This is the secret of spiritual life: to think that I am the Atman and not the body, and that the whole of this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/this-is-the-secret-of-spiritual-life-to-think-that-i-am-the-atman-and/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [The weak, the fearful, the ignorant will never reach the Atman. You cannot undo what you have done; the effect must come. Face it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-weak-the-fearful-the-ignorant-will-never-reach-the-atman-you/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [If there is no strength in body and mind, the Atman cannot be realized. First you have to build the body by good nutritious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/if-there-is-no-strength-in-body-and-mind-the-atman-cannot-be-realized/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [By listening to your higher self, or Atman, you can return to the truth that's already inside of you and in the process change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-simmons/by-listening-to-your-higher-self-or-atman-you-can-return-to-the-truth/) [Russell Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-simmons/) > [Proclaim the glory of the Atman with the roar of a lion, and impart fearlessness unto all beings by saying, 'Arise, awake, and stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/proclaim-the-glory-of-the-atman-with-the-roar-of-a-lion-and-impart/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Hinduism is a living organism. One and indivisible at the root, it has grown into a vast tree with innumerable branches. Knowledge is limitless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/hinduism-is-a-living-organism-one-and-indivisible-at-the-root-it-has/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Who but the Atman is capable of removing the bonds of ignorance, passion and self-interested action?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/who-but-the-atman-is-capable-of-removing-the-bonds-of-ignorance/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [So long as there is desire or want, it is a sure sign that there is imperfection. A perfect, free being cannot have any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/so-long-as-there-is-desire-or-want-it-is-a-sure-sign-that-there-is/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [That which is nearest is least observed. The Atman is the nearest of the near, therefore the careless and the unsteady mind gets no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/that-which-is-nearest-is-least-observed-the-atman-is-the-nearest-of/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [In the depth of the soul is the atman, the oversoul. And that oversoul is really love and compassion, peace, joy, and wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/in-the-depth-of-the-soul-is-the-atman-the-oversoul-and-that-oversoul/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [Jiva (individual soul) is the conscious ruler of this body, in whom the five life principles come into unity, and yet that very Jiva…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/jiva-individual-soul-is-the-conscious-ruler-of-this-body-in-whom-the/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) [Browse all 53 Atman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/atman/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is, so I believe, in the essence of everything, something that we cannot call learning. 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