--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Where there is much desire to learn…" description: "\"Where there is much desire to learn, there of necessity will be much arguing, much writing, for opinion in good men is but knowledge in the making.\" — ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/john-milton-191_arguing_where-there-is-much-desire-to-learn-ther_1879175.png" --- # Where there is much desire to learn, there of necessity… ![“Where there is much desire to learn, there of necessity will be much arguing, much writing, for opinion in good men is but knowledge in the making.” quote by John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/john-milton-191_arguing_where-there-is-much-desire-to-learn-ther_1879175.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/john-milton-191_arguing_where-there-is-much-desire-to-learn-ther_1879175.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/john-milton-191_arguing_where-there-is-much-desire-to-learn-ther_1879175.png) > “Where there is much desire to learn, there of necessity will be much arguing, much writing, for opinion in good men is but knowledge in the making.” [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Desire to learn drives argument and writing; good men’s opinions are developing knowledge. **In simple terms:** Learning sparks debate and writing, shaping knowledge. Key Takeaway Encourage curiosity, accept debate as learning. Themes education debate knowledge growth Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - classroom discussions - academic research - policy drafting - public forums Key Concepts philosophy epistemology rhetoric Questions to Reflect On - How does conflict improve understanding? - When does debate hinder progress? A Different Perspective Arguments can become unproductive if not grounded in evidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Desire to learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire-to-learn/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Harmony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harmony/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Making peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-peace/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Opinion in good men is but knowledge in the making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/opinion-in-good-men-is-but-knowledge-in-the-making/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Freedom to learn is the first necessity of guaranteeing that man himself shall be self reliant enough to be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/freedom-to-learn-is-the-first-necessity-of-guaranteeing-that-man/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [I don't have much to say about honesty. All that I feel about it that people don't discuss as far as I know is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-calloway/i-don-t-have-much-to-say-about-honesty-all-that-i-feel-about-it-that/) [Marie Calloway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-calloway/) > [I think one of the main reasons I write is to do better than ranting. The ranting is the opinion, and the writing is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-jacobson/i-think-one-of-the-main-reasons-i-write-is-to-do-better-than-ranting/) [Howard Jacobson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-jacobson/) > [Good writing, in my opinion, is writing that looks really easy, so easy that a person who has never written more than a grocery…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-miller/good-writing-in-my-opinion-is-writing-that-looks-really-easy-so-easy/) [Mary J. Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-miller/) > [If you're writing an opinion piece, it's your job to write your opinion. If, on the other hand, you wrote a novel, as Virginia…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mamet/if-you-re-writing-an-opinion-piece-it-s-your-job-to-write-your/) [David Mamet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mamet/) > [We can be knowledgeable with other men's knowledge, but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-can-be-knowledgeable-with-other-men-s-knowledge-but-we-cannot-be/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The natural desire of good men is knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-da-vinci/the-natural-desire-of-good-men-is-knowledge/) [Leonardo da Vinci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-da-vinci/) > [What men call knowledge, is the reasoned acceptance of false appearances. Wisdom looks behind the veil and sees.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/what-men-call-knowledge-is-the-reasoned-acceptance-of-false/) [Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/) > [“We take other men's knowledge and opinions upon trust; which is an idle and superficial learning. We must make it our own. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-take-other-men-s-knowledge-and-opinions-upon-trust-which-is-an/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [“for opinion in good men is but knowledge in the making.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-dunan-page/for-opinion-in-good-men-is-but-knowledge-in-the-making/) Anne Dunan-page > [Men should take their knowledge from the Sun, the Moon and the Stars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/men-should-take-their-knowledge-from-the-sun-the-moon-and-the-stars/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am afraid that I do not believe that any body of men can have enough knowledge of the past, the present and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-james-cowperthwaite/i-am-afraid-that-i-do-not-believe-that-any-body-of-men-can-have/) [John James Cowperthwaite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-james-cowperthwaite/) > [We can be knowledgable with other men's knowledge but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/we-can-be-knowledgable-with-other-men-s-knowledge-but-we-cannot-be/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [“We are unknown to ourselves, we men of knowledge--and with good reason. We have never sought ourselves--how could it happen that we should ever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/we-are-unknown-to-ourselves-we-men-of-knowledge-and-with-good-reason/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) ## More by John Milton > [Love-quarrels oft in pleasing concord end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/love-quarrels-oft-in-pleasing-concord-end/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [What better can we do than prostrate fall before Him reverent, and there confess humbly our faults, and pardon beg with tears watering the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/what-better-can-we-do-than-prostrate-fall-before-him-reverent-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And, when night Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-when-night-darkens-the-streets-then-wander-forth-the-sons-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, consult how we may henceforth most offend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-re-assembling-our-afflicted-powers-consult-how-we-may-henceforth/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Yet hold it more humane, more heav'nly, first, By winning words to conquer willing hearts, And make persuasion do the work of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/yet-hold-it-more-humane-more-heav-nly-first-by-winning-words-to/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [O nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still; Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/o-nightingale-that-on-yon-bloomy-spray-warblest-at-eve-when-all-the/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [The debt immense of endless gratitude, So burthensome, still paying, still to owe; Forgetful what from him I still receivd, And understood not that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/the-debt-immense-of-endless-gratitude-so-burthensome-still-paying/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Knowledge forbidden? Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord Envy them that? Can it be sin to know, Can it be death? And do they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/knowledge-forbidden-suspicious-reasonless-why-should-their-lord-envy/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [There is no truth sure enough to justify persecution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/there-is-no-truth-sure-enough-to-justify-persecution/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ Large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/new-presbyter-is-but-old-priest-writ-large/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [And what is faith, love, virtue unassayed Alone, without exterior help sustained?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/and-what-is-faith-love-virtue-unassayed-alone-without-exterior-help/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [This is servitude, To serve th'unwise, or him who hath rebelled Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, Thyself not free, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/this-is-servitude-to-serve-th-unwise-or-him-who-hath-rebelled-against/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Let us seek Death, or he not found, supply With our own hands his office on ourselves; Why stand we longer shivering under fears,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/let-us-seek-death-or-he-not-found-supply-with-our-own-hands-his/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [They are the troublers, they are the dividers of unity, who neglect and don't permit others to unite those dissevered pieces which are yet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/they-are-the-troublers-they-are-the-dividers-of-unity-who-neglect-and/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) [Explore all 966 John Milton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) ## More Arguing quotes > [I do wish you wouldn't argue with me when I'm knitting.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-durrell/i-do-wish-you-wouldn-t-argue-with-me-when-i-m-knitting/) [Gerald Durrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-durrell/) > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [It's fine to talk about politics with people you agree with. But it is rude to argue about politics with people you disagree with.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/it-s-fine-to-talk-about-politics-with-people-you-agree-with-but-it-is/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [Men are fair, and they have learned not to personalize anger - they can disagree with you and argue to the bone, but afterward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-farrell/men-are-fair-and-they-have-learned-not-to-personalize-anger-they-can/) [Warren Farrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-farrell/) > [When Eudæmonidas heard a philosopher arguing that only a wise man can be a good general, "This is a wonderful speech," said he; "but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/when-eud-monidas-heard-a-philosopher-arguing-that-only-a-wise-man-can/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Fasting is required, staying away from fighting and arguing and bombing of masjids is still going on. Hatred is still manifested between Sunni and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/louis-farrakhan/fasting-is-required-staying-away-from-fighting-and-arguing-and/) [Louis Farrakhan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/louis-farrakhan/) > [The problem for the Left, however, is that the moment it stops painting the Right as vile, it has to argue the issues.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/the-problem-for-the-left-however-is-that-the-moment-it-stops-painting/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/to-argue-with-a-person-who-has-renounced-the-use-of-reason-is-like/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [You can argue that the Terminator movies reboot their world each time they go back in time, but that doesn't negate the value of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-hayter/you-can-argue-that-the-terminator-movies-reboot-their-world-each-time/) [David Hayter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-hayter/) > [We may argue eloquently that 'Honesty is the best Policy' - unfortunately, the moment honesty is adopted for the sake of policy it mysteriously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/we-may-argue-eloquently-that-honesty-is-the-best-policy-unfortunately/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [I'm a very serious person, but I don't take myself very seriously and I would rather laugh all day than argue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stone-cold-steve-austin/i-m-a-very-serious-person-but-i-don-t-take-myself-very-seriously-and/) [Stone Cold Steve Austin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stone-cold-steve-austin/) > [These eyes, tho' clear To outward view of blemish or of spot, Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot, Nor to their idle orbs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/these-eyes-tho-clear-to-outward-view-of-blemish-or-of-spot-bereft-of/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [There's crucial distinction that has to be drawn between the Shari'a, which is this hugely expansive vision of cosmic order that I've been describing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadakat-kadri/there-s-crucial-distinction-that-has-to-be-drawn-between-the-shari-a/) [Sadakat Kadri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadakat-kadri/) > [Only fools argue whether to eat meat or not. They don't understand truth nor do they meditate on it. Who can define what is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guru-nanak/only-fools-argue-whether-to-eat-meat-or-not-they-don-t-understand/) [Guru Nanak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guru-nanak/) > [The surest sign that you haven't any sense is to argue with one who hasn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-j-peter/the-surest-sign-that-you-haven-t-any-sense-is-to-argue-with-one-who/) [Laurence J. Peter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-j-peter/) Browse all 1,908 Arguing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Where there is much desire to learn, there of necessity will be much arguing, much writing, for opinion in good men is but knowledge in the making.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Milton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/where-there-is-much-desire-to-learn-there-of-necessity-will-be-much/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Arguing" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/where-there-is-much-desire-to-learn-there-of-necessity-will-be-much/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/john-milton-191_arguing_where-there-is-much-desire-to-learn-ther_1879175.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/john-milton-191_arguing_where-there-is-much-desire-to-learn-ther_1879175.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0aa/john-milton-191_arguing_where-there-is-much-desire-to-learn-ther_1879175.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Where there is much desire to learn, there of necessity will be much arguing, much writing, for opinion in…” — John Milton", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "John Milton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Where there is much desire to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/where-there-is-much-desire-to-learn-there-of-necessity-will-be-much/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/where-there-is-much-desire-to-learn-there-of-necessity-will-be-much/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```