--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Path presupposes distance; If He be near…" description: "\"Path presupposes distance; If He be near, no path needest thou at all. Verily it maketh me smile To hear of a fish in water athirst!\" — Kabir" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/kabir-3476_distance_path-presupposes-distance-if-he-be-near_1953706.png" --- # Path presupposes distance; If He be near, no path needest… ![“Path presupposes distance; If He be near, no path needest thou at all. Verily it maketh me smile To hear of a fish in water athirst!” quote by Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/kabir-3476_distance_path-presupposes-distance-if-he-be-near_1953706.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/kabir-3476_distance_path-presupposes-distance-if-he-be-near_1953706.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2fa/kabir-3476_distance_path-presupposes-distance-if-he-be-near_1953706.png) > “Path presupposes distance; If He be near, no path needest thou at all. Verily it maketh me smile To hear of a fish in water athirst!” [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Distance defines a path; proximity removes the need for a journey, yet even simple truths can bring joy. **In simple terms:** Distance creates paths. Key Takeaway Appreciate simple joys. Themes spirituality path proximity Mood contemplative serene Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - meditation - travel - learning - daily routines Key Concepts mysticism metaphor Questions to Reflect On - What “paths” do you create unnecessarily? - How does closeness change your perspective? A Different Perspective Not all journeys are physical; inner paths matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Distance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distance/) [Fishes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fishes/) [Hear Fish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hear-fish-2046715/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Journey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journey/) [Near Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/near-path-3185646/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Path Presupposes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path-presupposes-3185647/) [Presupposes Distance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/presupposes-distance-3185648/) [Water](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/water/) ## Related quotes > [I laugh when I hear that the fish in the water is thirsty. You wander restlessly from forest to forest while the Reality is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/i-laugh-when-i-hear-that-the-fish-in-the-water-is-thirsty-you-wander/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [I laugh when I hear the fish in the water is thirsty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/i-laugh-when-i-hear-the-fish-in-the-water-is-thirsty/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [I laugh when I hear that the fish in the water is thirsty. You don't grasp the fact that what is most alive of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/i-laugh-when-i-hear-that-the-fish-in-the-water-is-thirsty-you-don-t-2/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [“What is there to see if I go outside? Don't tell me. I know. I can see other people. I don't want to see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-lavey/what-is-there-to-see-if-i-go-outside-don-t-tell-me-i-know-i-can-see/) [Anton LaVey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-lavey/) > [Something I like to do a lot is just sit by water when there’s a current and just stare into the water. 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I used to go fishing with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-mathews/most-people-are-sensitized-to-animals-through-their-cats-and-dogs-but/) [Dan Mathews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-mathews/) > [My kids all do love to hunt and fish. When they get together, I think that's what they get together more for than anything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-nicklaus/my-kids-all-do-love-to-hunt-and-fish-when-they-get-together-i-think/) [Jack Nicklaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-nicklaus/) > [Fly-fishing for wild trout on quiet waters must be one of the toughest and craziest ways to catch fish ever invented by man, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-voelker/fly-fishing-for-wild-trout-on-quiet-waters-must-be-one-of-the/) [John D. Voelker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-voelker/) > [This brings me back to the image of Kafka standing before a fish in the Berlin aquarium, a fish on which his gaze fell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/this-brings-me-back-to-the-image-of-kafka-standing-before-a-fish-in/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [The old men of the village of Mahotière say that the Mistress of the Water is a mulatto woman. At midnight she comes out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-roumain/the-old-men-of-the-village-of-mahoti-re-say-that-the-mistress-of-the/) [Jacques Roumain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-roumain/) > [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/) > [I was 3-years-old - to this day it is a vivid memory. My family and I were on a boat, catching fish. As one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joaquin-phoenix/i-was-3-years-old-to-this-day-it-is-a-vivid-memory-my-family-and-i/) [Joaquin Phoenix](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joaquin-phoenix/) ## More by Kabir > [But if a mirror ever makes you sad you should know that it does not know you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/but-if-a-mirror-ever-makes-you-sad-you-should-know-that-it-does-not/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [If you make love with the divine now, in the next lifeyou will have the face of satisfied desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/if-you-make-love-with-the-divine-now-in-the-next-lifeyou-will-have/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [As the bee collecteth honey with great zest, so the fool collecteth wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/as-the-bee-collecteth-honey-with-great-zest-so-the-fool-collecteth/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [The stone neither speaks nor gives anything. Therefore its service is fruitless and its worship is of no avail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/the-stone-neither-speaks-nor-gives-anything-therefore-its-service-is/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [For millions of years you have slept. This morning, will you not wake?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/for-millions-of-years-you-have-slept-this-morning-will-you-not-wake/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [Lift the veil that obscures the heart, and there you will find what you are looking for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/lift-the-veil-that-obscures-the-heart-and-there-you-will-find-what/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [I felt in need of a great pilgrimage, so I sat still for three days and God came to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/i-felt-in-need-of-a-great-pilgrimage-so-i-sat-still-for-three-days/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [I went in search of a bad person; I found none as I, seeing myself, found me the worst.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/i-went-in-search-of-a-bad-person-i-found-none-as-i-seeing-myself/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [Look at you, you madman! Screaming you are thirsty and dying in a desert, when all around you there is nothing but water!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/look-at-you-you-madman-screaming-you-are-thirsty-and-dying-in-a/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [Faith,Waiting in the heart of a seed, Promises a miracle of life which cannot prove at once.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/faith-waiting-in-the-heart-of-a-seed-promises-a-miracle-of-life-which/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [All know that the drop merges into the ocean but few know that the ocean merges into the drop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/all-know-that-the-drop-merges-into-the-ocean-but-few-know-that-the/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [When the flower opens, the bees will come.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/when-the-flower-opens-the-bees-will-come/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [“What is seen is not the Truth What is cannot be said Trust comes not without seeing Nor understanding without words The wise comprehends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/what-is-seen-is-not-the-truth-what-is-cannot-be-said-trust-comes-not/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [“as jolaha ka maram na jana, jinh jag ani pasarinhh tana; dharti akas dou gad khandaya, chand surya dou nari banaya; sahastra tar le…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/as-jolaha-ka-maram-na-jana-jinh-jag-ani-pasarinhh-tana-dharti-akas/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) > [Just throw away all thoughts of imaginary things, and stand firm in that which you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kabir/just-throw-away-all-thoughts-of-imaginary-things-and-stand-firm-in/) [Kabir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) [Explore all 126 Kabir quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kabir/) ## More Distance quotes > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I raised another shot. "That sound you hear is the heads of moral conservatives spontaneously exploding in the distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-thurman/i-raised-another-shot-that-sound-you-hear-is-the-heads-of-moral/) [Rob Thurman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-thurman/) > [I think hair gel was invented to make it easier to identify assholes from a distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demetri-martin/i-think-hair-gel-was-invented-to-make-it-easier-to-identify-assholes/) [Demetri Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demetri-martin/) > [Distance sometimes endears friendship, and absence sweeteneth it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-howell/distance-sometimes-endears-friendship-and-absence-sweeteneth-it/) [James Howell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-howell/) > [Prison experience puts distance between me and any person who hasn't been there, done that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patricia-mcconnell/prison-experience-puts-distance-between-me-and-any-person-who-hasn-t/) [Patricia McConnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patricia-mcconnell/) > [At a distance, we cannot conceive of the authority of a despot who knows all his subjects on sight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stendhal/at-a-distance-we-cannot-conceive-of-the-authority-of-a-despot-who/) [Stendhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stendhal/) > [When somebody mentions that I did a play with George C. Scott, I'm like, it can't have happened. What was I doing on a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-dano/when-somebody-mentions-that-i-did-a-play-with-george-c-scott-i-m-like/) [Paul Dano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-dano/) > [She watched the prairies the rivers, the towns slipping past at an untouchable distance below - and she noted that the sense of detachment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/she-watched-the-prairies-the-rivers-the-towns-slipping-past-at-an/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [Memories seem to surface in no particular order, with no time attached. Yesterday can seem as distant as last year. My life now consists…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-olsson/memories-seem-to-surface-in-no-particular-order-with-no-time-attached/) [Linda Olsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-olsson/) > [I've never bought this idea of taking a therapeutic distance. If I see a student or house staff cry, I take great faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-verghese/i-ve-never-bought-this-idea-of-taking-a-therapeutic-distance-if-i-see/) [Abraham Verghese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-verghese/) > [Combining the experience of a seasoned university president with the analysis of a respected legal scholar, Derek Bok explores what he concludes are 'signs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-h-t-rhodes/combining-the-experience-of-a-seasoned-university-president-with-the/) [Frank H. T. Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-h-t-rhodes/) > [To be a champion long-distance runner you have to run on the edge of death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toshihiko-seko/to-be-a-champion-long-distance-runner-you-have-to-run-on-the-edge-of/) [Toshihiko Seko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toshihiko-seko/) > [The sectaries of a persecuted religion, depressed by fear, animated with resentment, and perhaps heated by enthusiasm, are seldom in a proper temper of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-sectaries-of-a-persecuted-religion-depressed-by-fear-animated/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [Within walking distance of any spot on Earth there's probably more than enough mystery to investigate in a lifetime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alix-kates-shulman/within-walking-distance-of-any-spot-on-earth-there-s-probably-more/) [Alix Kates Shulman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alix-kates-shulman/) > [It takes a little more time to get into the role, but not very much more. In making a record you don't have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-callas/it-takes-a-little-more-time-to-get-into-the-role-but-not-very-much/) [Maria Callas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-callas/) [Browse all 3,296 Distance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/distance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Path presupposes distance; If He be near, no path needest thou at all. 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