Aristotle Quote by Hilda M. Ransome
““Lady Gregory, in a note to her play Aristotle’s Bellows, writes: Aristotle’s name is a part of our folklore. The wife of one of our labourers told me one day as a bee buzzed through the open door, “Aristotle of the Books was very wise, but the bees got the best of him in the end. He wanted to know how they did pack the comb, and he wasted the best part of a fortnight watching them doing it. Then he made a hive with a glass cover on it and put it over them, and thought he would watch them, but when he put his eye to the glass, they had covered it with wax, so that it was as black as the pot, and he was as blind as before. He said he was never rightly killed until then. The bees beat him that time surely.””
About This Quote
Source Play: Aristotle’s Bellows by Lady Gregory, early 20th century
The anecdote illustrates how obsessive curiosity can lead to blindness, as the observer becomes trapped by the very subject they study.
In simple terms: Obsessive study can blind you to reality.
Key Takeaway
Beware becoming too fixated on details.
Themes
curiosity
hubris
observation
folklore
learning
Mood
reflective
cautionary
thoughtful
Type
aphilosophical
anecdotal
cultural
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- craftsmanship
- personal introspection
- teaching
- creative writing
Key Concepts
epistemology
myth
human limitation
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you ever lose perspective when deeply focused?
- How can you balance curiosity with awareness?
A Different Perspective
The story may romanticize folly, ignoring the value of sustained inquiry.
