--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Just because we don't understand doesn't…" description: "\"Just because we don't understand doesn't mean that the explanation doesn't exist.\" — Madeleine L'Engle" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/madeleine-l-engle-345_attitude_just-because-we-don-t-understand-doesn-t_2711417.png" --- # Just because we don't understand doesn't mean that the… ![“Just because we don't understand doesn't mean that the explanation doesn't exist.” quote by Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/madeleine-l-engle-345_attitude_just-because-we-don-t-understand-doesn-t_2711417.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/madeleine-l-engle-345_attitude_just-because-we-don-t-understand-doesn-t_2711417.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/madeleine-l-engle-345_attitude_just-because-we-don-t-understand-doesn-t_2711417.png) > “Just because we don't understand doesn't mean that the explanation doesn't exist.” [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. The quote asserts that lack of understanding does not invalidate the existence of an explanation, encouraging openness to unknown reasons. **In simple terms:** Not understanding doesn’t mean no explanation exists. Key Takeaway Stay open to unseen explanations. Themes philosophy science humility Mood inquisitive thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - research - problem solving - education - personal growth Key Concepts epistemology unknown unknowns Questions to Reflect On - What explanations might you be overlooking? - How do you handle uncertainty? A Different Perspective Some may view unknown explanations as excuses. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Don Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-understand/) [Explanation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explanation/) [Explanation Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/explanation-doesn-2810900/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Mean Explanation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean-explanation-2810901/) [Understand Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understand-doesn-271955/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) ## Related quotes > [“Do you think things always have an explanation?” “Yes. I believe that they do. But I think that with our human limitations we’re not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/do-you-think-things-always-have-an-explanation-yes-i-believe-that/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [They didn't understand it, but like so many unfortunate events in life, just because you don't understand it doesn't mean it isn't so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-didn-t-understand-it-but-like-so-many-unfortunate-events-in-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Just because you don't understand something doesn't mean that it's nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/just-because-you-don-t-understand-something-doesn-t-mean-that-it-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Just because you don't understand it doesn't mean it isn't so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/just-because-you-don-t-understand-it-doesn-t-mean-it-isn-t-so/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“...just because you don't understand something doesn't mean it's not the truth...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-mcginnis/just-because-you-don-t-understand-something-doesn-t-mean-it-s-not-the/) [Mindy McGinnis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-mcginnis/) > [“But like so many unfortunate events in life, just because you don't understand it doesn't mean it isn't so.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lemony-snicket/but-like-so-many-unfortunate-events-in-life-just-because-you-don-t/) [Lemony Snicket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lemony-snicket/) > [“Al’s explanation doesn’t appease John. “It’s”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-kofman/al-s-explanation-doesn-t-appease-john-it-s/) [Fred Kofman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-kofman/) > [And if you can offer an explanation as to why it doesn't work then you've got to the whole root of comedy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-norden/and-if-you-can-offer-an-explanation-as-to-why-it-doesn-t-work-then/) [Denis Norden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-norden/) > [When doesn't life make sense, an explanation doesn't ease your pain; the presence of God does...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/when-doesn-t-life-make-sense-an-explanation-doesn-t-ease-your-pain/) [Unkown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unkown/) > [“When you understand something it doesn't mean you accept it!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ey-ramos/when-you-understand-something-it-doesn-t-mean-you-accept-it/) [ey ramos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ey-ramos/) > [“Sometimes we don't understand right away why things happen. Sometimes we never understand. But that doesn't mean those things are mistakes." ~ Jake Samuels”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-manners/sometimes-we-don-t-understand-right-away-why-things-happen-sometimes/) [Mary Manners](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-manners/) > [“Absolutely everyone is intuitive. Just because you don’t have a sense of it or don’t understand it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-livon/absolutely-everyone-is-intuitive-just-because-you-don-t-have-a-sense/) [Jodi Livon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-livon/) > [And just because someone doesn't understand doesn't mean they don't want to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-king/and-just-because-someone-doesn-t-understand-doesn-t-mean-they-don-t/) [Regina King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-king/) > [“Do you understand pain a little now? If you don't share someone's pain, you can never understand them. But just because you understand them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pain/do-you-understand-pain-a-little-now-if-you-don-t-share-someone-s-pain/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pain/) > [“Yeah, I understand. That doesn't mean I'll obey" - Bianka”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gena-showalter/yeah-i-understand-that-doesn-t-mean-i-ll-obey-bianka/) [Gena Showalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gena-showalter/) ## More by Madeleine L'Engle > [“One of the hardest lessons I have to learn is how not to be judgmental about people who are judgmental. When I see how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/one-of-the-hardest-lessons-i-have-to-learn-is-how-not-to-be/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Inspiration more often comes during the work than before it, because the largest part of the job of an artist is to listen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/inspiration-more-often-comes-during-the-work-than-before-it-because/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [You have to write the book that wants to be written. And if the book will be too difficult for grown-ups, then you write…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/you-have-to-write-the-book-that-wants-to-be-written-and-if-the-book/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Severe illness isolates those in close contact with it, because it inevitably narrows the focus of concern. To a certain extent this can lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/severe-illness-isolates-those-in-close-contact-with-it-because-it/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Goodness has never been a guarantee of safety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/goodness-has-never-been-a-guarantee-of-safety/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/faith-is-what-makes-life-bearable-with-all-its-tragedies-and/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“Instead of rejoicing in this glorious “impossible” which gives meaning and dignity to our lives, we try to domesticate God, to make his mighty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/instead-of-rejoicing-in-this-glorious-impossible-which-gives-meaning/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [I have never lived before...Until this summer, I did not know what it was to be alive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/i-have-never-lived-before-until-this-summer-i-did-not-know-what-it/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [On the other side of pain, there is still love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/on-the-other-side-of-pain-there-is-still-love/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“To love is to be vulnerable; and it is only in vulnerability and risk—not safety and security—that we overcome darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/to-love-is-to-be-vulnerable-and-it-is-only-in-vulnerability-and-risk/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [“IT was the most horrible, the most repellent thing she had ever seen, far more nauseating then anything she had ever imagined with her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/it-was-the-most-horrible-the-most-repellent-thing-she-had-ever-seen/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [I feel as though I'm not breathing when I'm out of his presence. He's the oxygen in my air, the sun in my universe,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/i-feel-as-though-i-m-not-breathing-when-i-m-out-of-his-presence-he-s/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [Rather than feeling lost and unimportant and meaningless, set against galaxies which go beyond the reach of the furthest telescopes, I feel that my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/rather-than-feeling-lost-and-unimportant-and-meaningless-set-against/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [My husband is my most ruthless critic... sometimes he will say, 'It's been said better before.' Of course it has. It's all been said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/my-husband-is-my-most-ruthless-critic-sometimes-he-will-say-it-s-been/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) > [If we aren't capable of being hurt we aren't capable of feeling joy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/if-we-aren-t-capable-of-being-hurt-we-aren-t-capable-of-feeling-joy/) [Madeleine L'Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) [Explore all 660 Madeleine L'Engle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Just because we don't understand doesn't mean that the explanation doesn't exist.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Madeleine L'Engle" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/just-because-we-don-t-understand-doesn-t-mean-that-the-explanation/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/just-because-we-don-t-understand-doesn-t-mean-that-the-explanation/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/madeleine-l-engle-345_attitude_just-because-we-don-t-understand-doesn-t_2711417.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/madeleine-l-engle-345_attitude_just-because-we-don-t-understand-doesn-t_2711417.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3c2/madeleine-l-engle-345_attitude_just-because-we-don-t-understand-doesn-t_2711417.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Just because we don't understand doesn't mean that the explanation doesn't exist.” — Madeleine L'Engle", "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": "Madeleine L'Engle", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-l-engle/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Just because we don't understand doesn't...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/just-because-we-don-t-understand-doesn-t-mean-that-the-explanation/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-l-engle/just-because-we-don-t-understand-doesn-t-mean-that-the-explanation/#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 } } ] } ```