--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When intelligent and sensible people…" description: "\"When intelligent and sensible people despise knowledge in their old age, it is only because they have asked too much of it and of themselves.\" — Johann..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/231/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_age_when-intelligent-and-sensible-people-des_732296.jpg" --- # When intelligent and sensible people despise knowledge in… ![“When intelligent and sensible people despise knowledge in their old age, it is only because they have asked too much of it and of themselves.” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/231/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_age_when-intelligent-and-sensible-people-des_732296.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/231/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_age_when-intelligent-and-sensible-people-des_732296.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/231/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_age_when-intelligent-and-sensible-people-des_732296.jpg) > “When intelligent and sensible people despise knowledge in their old age, it is only because they have asked too much of it and of themselves.” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggests that intellectual arrogance in old age stems from over‑demanding expectations of knowledge and self. **In simple terms:** Old age pride hides unmet expectations. Key Takeaway Cultivate humility and realistic goals. Themes philosophy age knowledge Mood reflective philosophical Type literary inspirational When to use this quote - mentoring - lifelong learning - self‑reflection Key Concepts Existentialism self‑expectation Questions to Reflect On - How do expectations change with age? - What role does humility play in learning? A Different Perspective May generalize individual experience. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/age/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Old age](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-age/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Self knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-knowledge/) [Sensible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sensible/) ## Related quotes > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [Our minds thus grow in spots; and like grease spots, the spots spread. 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