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Amazement Quote by Jorge Luis Borges

“To think, analyze and invent, he [Pierre Menard] also wrote me, “are not anomalous acts, but the normal respiration of the intelligence. To glorify the occasional fulfillment of this function, to treasure ancient thoughts of others, to remember with incredulous amazement that the doctor universal…” quote by Jorge Luis Borges
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“To think, analyze and invent, he [Pierre Menard] also wrote me, “are not anomalous acts, but the normal respiration of the intelligence. To glorify the occasional fulfillment of this function, to treasure ancient thoughts of others, to remember with incredulous amazement that the doctor universal is thought, is to confess our languor or barbarism. Every man should be capable of all ideas, and I believe that in the future he will be." (Jorge Luis Borges, "Pierre Menard, Author of Don Quixote, 1939)”

Jorge Luis Borges

About This Quote

Source Short Story: "Pierre Menard, Author of Don Quixote", 1939

Intelligence thrives on ordinary mental activity; celebrating past ideas reveals our cultural stagnation and potential for universal thought.

In simple terms: Thinking is normal; celebrating old ideas shows our limits and future potential.

Key Takeaway

Embrace all ideas, seek growth.

Themes

intelligence creativity culture human potential

Mood

reflective inquisitive

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • education
  • literary analysis
  • personal development
  • philosophical discourse

Key Concepts

cognitive respiration intellectual humility

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can we make diverse ideas truly accessible?
  • What limits our intellectual breadth?
A Different Perspective

Assumes all ideas are equally accessible, ignoring structural barriers.

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