--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To be content in utter darkness and…" description: "\"“To be content in utter darkness and ignorance is indeed unmanly, and therefore we think that to love light and find knowledge must always be right. Ye..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/017/john-ruskin-314_darkness_to-be-content-in-utter-darkness-and-igno_2159092.jpg" --- # To be content in utter darkness and ignorance is indeed… ![“To be content in utter darkness and ignorance is indeed unmanly, and therefore we think that to love light and find knowledge must always be right. Yet wherever pride has any share in the work, even knowledge and light may be ill pursued. Knowledge is good, and light is good: yet man perished in…” quote by John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/017/john-ruskin-314_darkness_to-be-content-in-utter-darkness-and-igno_2159092.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/017/john-ruskin-314_darkness_to-be-content-in-utter-darkness-and-igno_2159092.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/017/john-ruskin-314_darkness_to-be-content-in-utter-darkness-and-igno_2159092.jpg) > ““To be content in utter darkness and ignorance is indeed unmanly, and therefore we think that to love light and find knowledge must always be right. Yet wherever pride has any share in the work, even knowledge and light may be ill pursued. Knowledge is good, and light is good: yet man perished in seeking knowledge, and moths perish in seeking light; and if we, who are crushed before the moth, will not accept such mystery as is needful to us, we shall perish in like manner.”” [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Blind pride can corrupt the pursuit of truth, turning even noble quests into self‑destructive folly. **In simple terms:** Pride can ruin the search for knowledge. Key Takeaway Check motives before seeking truth. Themes pride knowledge truth humility Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical warning When to use this quote - academic research - personal growth - spiritual practice - leadership decisions Key Concepts philosophy ethics human nature Questions to Reflect On - What drives your quest for knowledge? - How can humility guide learning? A Different Perspective Even good things become harmful when driven by ego. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Darkness Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness-ignorance-479810/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Ignorance Unmanly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance-unmanly-4573411/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Knowledge Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge-good-279499/) [Knowledge Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge-light-2081259/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Light Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light-knowledge-301492/) [Love Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-light/) [Pride](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pride/) [Seeking Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeking-knowledge/) ## Related quotes > [“1. “Knowledge is the revelation (tajallî ) of things themselves.”130 Note the use of the verb tajallâ in D-10. 2. “Knowledge is the falling…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franz-rosenthal/1-knowledge-is-the-revelation-tajall-of-things-themselves-130-note/) [Franz Rosenthal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franz-rosenthal/) > [To be without knowledge is to be without light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/to-be-without-knowledge-is-to-be-without-light/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [“The soul is like a glass lamp, and knowledge Is light (-giving fire), and the wisdom of God is the oil. If it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-soul-is-like-a-glass-lamp-and-knowledge-is-light-giving-fire-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Ignorance cannot give birth to knowledge, light cannot help but give birth to truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/ignorance-cannot-give-birth-to-knowledge-light-cannot-help-but-give/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [There is no knowledge, no light, no wisdom that you are in possession of, but what you have received it from some source.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigham-young/there-is-no-knowledge-no-light-no-wisdom-that-you-are-in-possession/) [Brigham Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigham-young/) > [“All knowledge is one. When a light brightens and illuminates a corner of a room, it adds to the general illumination of the entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/all-knowledge-is-one-when-a-light-brightens-and-illuminates-a-corner/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [Knowledge is light, but shines only if the heart of its possessor has been polished through spiritual discipline and devotion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/knowledge-is-light-but-shines-only-if-the-heart-of-its-possessor-has/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“if knowledge is a light,wisdom is a moon that illuminates the path.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele-mandez/if-knowledge-is-a-light-wisdom-is-a-moon-that-illuminates-the-path/) [Adele Mandez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele-mandez/) > [Zeal without knowledge is fire without light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-fuller/zeal-without-knowledge-is-fire-without-light/) [Thomas Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-fuller/) > [“Knowledge is the light that guides the path~”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamie-olmsted/knowledge-is-the-light-that-guides-the-path/) [Tamie Olmsted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamie-olmsted/) > [One whose ignorance is driven out by wisdom, Wisdom of knowledge will light up his life with divine bright sunlight...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/km-ii/one-whose-ignorance-is-driven-out-by-wisdom-wisdom-of-knowledge-will/) [KM II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/km-ii/) > [We say that knowledge is not mere talk, but a certain divine knowledge, that light which is kindled in the soul as a result…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clement-of-alexandria/we-say-that-knowledge-is-not-mere-talk-but-a-certain-divine-knowledge/) [Clement of Alexandria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clement-of-alexandria/) > [“If science is defined or understood as a mode of seeking knowledge, a means of interpreting nature in a way that can be demonstrated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathon-miller-weisberger/if-science-is-defined-or-understood-as-a-mode-of-seeking-knowledge-a/) [Jonathon Miller Weisberger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathon-miller-weisberger/) > [“Purity culture often functions by shaming us for seeking knowledge about our own bodies. Studying even the scientific elements of sexual intercourse can feel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dianna-anderson/purity-culture-often-functions-by-shaming-us-for-seeking-knowledge/) [Dianna Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dianna-anderson/) > [I would call myself a Gnostic. Which means, I'm interested in pursuing and understanding the spiritual nature of things. A Gnostic is somebody seeking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-crumb/i-would-call-myself-a-gnostic-which-means-i-m-interested-in-pursuing/) [Robert Crumb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-crumb/) ## More by John Ruskin > [“Occult Theft,--Theft which hides itself even from itself, and is legal, respectable, and cowardly,--corrupts the body and soul of man, to the last fibre…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/occult-theft-theft-which-hides-itself-even-from-itself-and-is-legal/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Mighty of heart, mighty of mind, magnanimous-to be this is indeed to be great in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/mighty-of-heart-mighty-of-mind-magnanimous-to-be-this-is-indeed-to-be/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Life is a magic vase filled to the brim, so made that you cannot dip from it nor draw from it; but it overflows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/life-is-a-magic-vase-filled-to-the-brim-so-made-that-you-cannot-dip/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [As in the instances of alchemy, astrology, witchcraft, and other such popular creeds, political economy, has a plausible idea at the root of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/as-in-the-instances-of-alchemy-astrology-witchcraft-and-other-such/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [I am far more provoked at being thought foolish by foolish people, than pleased at being thought sensible by sensible people; and the average…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/i-am-far-more-provoked-at-being-thought-foolish-by-foolish-people/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [When we build ... let it not be for present delights nor for present use alone. Let it be such work as our descendants…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/when-we-build-let-it-not-be-for-present-delights-nor-for-present-use/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [It is far more difficult to be simple than to be complicated; far more difficult to sacrifice skill and easy execution in the proper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-far-more-difficult-to-be-simple-than-to-be-complicated-far-more/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [It is a good and safe rule to sojourn in every place as if you meant to spend your life there, never omitting an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-is-a-good-and-safe-rule-to-sojourn-in-every-place-as-if-you-meant/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [“You may trust to the truth of my sympathy; but you must remember that I am engaged in the investigation of enormous religious and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/you-may-trust-to-the-truth-of-my-sympathy-but-you-must-remember-that/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [And remember, child, that nothing is ever done beautifully, which is done in rivalship; or nobly, which is done in pride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/and-remember-child-that-nothing-is-ever-done-beautifully-which-is/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [It’s unwise to pay too much, but it’s worse to pay too little.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/it-s-unwise-to-pay-too-much-but-it-s-worse-to-pay-too-little/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [The world is full of vulgar Purists, who bring discredit on all selection by the silliness of their choice; and this the more, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-world-is-full-of-vulgar-purists-who-bring-discredit-on-all/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [Like other beautiful things in this world, its end (that of a shaft) is to be beautiful; and, in proportion to its beauty, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/like-other-beautiful-things-in-this-world-its-end-that-of-a-shaft-is/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [All are to be men of genius in their degree,--rivulets or rivers, it does not matter, so that the souls be clear and pure;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/all-are-to-be-men-of-genius-in-their-degree-rivulets-or-rivers-it/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [The art of drawing which is of more real importance to the human race than that of writing...should be taught to every child just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/the-art-of-drawing-which-is-of-more-real-importance-to-the-human-race/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) [Explore all 696 John Ruskin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) ## More Darkness quotes > [“Narrative cannot sustain formlessness any more than light can sustain darkness - it is the antithesis of formlessness, and so it can never truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/narrative-cannot-sustain-formlessness-any-more-than-light-can-sustain/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) > [“Wait here, wait here!" he cried and jumped up and began to run for help toward a cluster of lights he saw in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/wait-here-wait-here-he-cried-and-jumped-up-and-began-to-run-for-help/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/strange-is-it-not-that-of-the-myriads-who-before-us-passed-the-door/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > [I guess he'll have to figure out someday that he is supposed to have this dark side, that it is part of what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-guess-he-ll-have-to-figure-out-someday-that-he-is-supposed-to-have/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“I promise to respect and protect your aloneness, knowing that everything created must have its period of darkness: child and bulb, poem and personality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/i-promise-to-respect-and-protect-your-aloneness-knowing-that/) [anne morrow lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [The beauty of darkness is how it lets you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/the-beauty-of-darkness-is-how-it-lets-you-see/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [“Even in darkness your lips taste of sunshine”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-lia-block/even-in-darkness-your-lips-taste-of-sunshine/) [Francesca Lia Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-lia-block/) > [“Defy me not for gleam can only shine in my existence" said Darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/defy-me-not-for-gleam-can-only-shine-in-my-existence-said-darkness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [“Life is like coffee, the darker it gets, the more it energizes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankita-singhal/life-is-like-coffee-the-darker-it-gets-the-more-it-energizes/) [Ankita Singhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankita-singhal/) > [Twinking tears in a sea of black. Soft light in a world of darkness. Tiny wishes in a place of dreams. Do you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-gentile/twinking-tears-in-a-sea-of-black-soft-light-in-a-world-of-darkness/) [Nicole Gentile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-gentile/) [Browse all 8,219 Darkness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“To be content in utter darkness and ignorance is indeed unmanly, and therefore we think that to love light and find knowledge must always be right. Yet wherever pride has any share in the work, even knowledge and light may be ill pursued. 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