--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: An infinite question is often destroyed…" description: "\"An infinite question is often destroyed by finite answers...To define everything is to annihilate much that gives us laughter and joy...If I try self c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/390/madeleine-l-engle-345_able_an-infinite-question-is-often-destroyed_1144756.jpg" --- # An infinite question is often destroyed by finite… ![“An infinite question is often destroyed by finite answers...To define everything is to annihilate much that gives us laughter and joy...If I try self consciously to become a person, I will never be one. The most real people, those who are able to forget their selfish selves, who have true…” quote by Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/390/madeleine-l-engle-345_able_an-infinite-question-is-often-destroyed_1144756.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/390/madeleine-l-engle-345_able_an-infinite-question-is-often-destroyed_1144756.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/390/madeleine-l-engle-345_able_an-infinite-question-is-often-destroyed_1144756.jpg) > “An infinite question is often destroyed by finite answers...To define everything is to annihilate much that gives us laughter and joy...If I try self consciously to become a person, I will never be one. The most real people, those who are able to forget their selfish selves, who have true compassion, are usually the most distinct individuals” [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Attempting to define everything kills joy; true compassion arises when self‑interest is set aside, revealing authentic individuality. **In simple terms:** Defining all limits joy; compassion reveals self. Key Takeaway Embrace mystery, practice selfless compassion. Themes existentialism joy compassion self identity Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - personal growth - mindfulness practice - artistic expression Key Concepts philosophy psychology spirituality creative writing Questions to Reflect On - What does it mean to be truly selfless? - How does mystery foster creativity? A Different Perspective Over‑analysis can stifle spontaneity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Answers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/answers/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Consciously Person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consciously-person-3207306/) [Finite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/finite/) [Forget](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget/) [Forget Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forget-selfish-950949/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Infinite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infinite/) [Infinite Question](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infinite-question-245623/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Laughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter/) [Laughter and joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laughter-and-joy/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-people/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Selfish Selves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish-selves-3207305/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) ## Related quotes > [An infinite question is often destroyed by finite answers. To define everything is to annihilate much that gives us laughter and joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/an-infinite-question-is-often-destroyed-by-finite-answers-to-define/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [An infinite question is often destroyed by finite answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/an-infinite-question-is-often-destroyed-by-finite-answers/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“Children talk themselves out of their convictions as they grow up and become distracted by their huge selfish selves. 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