--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If it were possible for us to see further…" description: "\"“If it were possible for us to see further than our knowledge extends and out a little over the outworks of our surmising, perhaps we should then bear ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be9/rainer-maria-rilke-193_confidence_if-it-were-possible-for-us-to-see-furthe_1756175.jpg" --- # If it were possible for us to see further than our… ![“If it were possible for us to see further than our knowledge extends and out a little over the outworks of our surmising, perhaps we should then bear our sorrows with greater confidence than our joys.” quote by Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be9/rainer-maria-rilke-193_confidence_if-it-were-possible-for-us-to-see-furthe_1756175.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be9/rainer-maria-rilke-193_confidence_if-it-were-possible-for-us-to-see-furthe_1756175.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/be9/rainer-maria-rilke-193_confidence_if-it-were-possible-for-us-to-see-furthe_1756175.jpg) > ““If it were possible for us to see further than our knowledge extends and out a little over the outworks of our surmising, perhaps we should then bear our sorrows with greater confidence than our joys.”” [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recognizing our limited knowledge can make us face sorrow with steadier resolve than joy. **In simple terms:** Limited knowledge steadies sorrow. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty, trust resilience. Themes philosophy psychology existentialism Mood reflective melancholic Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - grief counseling - personal reflection - creative writing - spiritual practice Key Concepts epistemology emotional regulation Questions to Reflect On - How does uncertainty affect your emotional balance? - Can embracing limits reduce fear? A Different Perspective Confidence may waver when knowledge expands. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Confidence Joys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence-joys-1649016/) [Greater Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greater-confidence-519425/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Knowledge Extends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge-extends-1649015/) [Possible Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possible-knowledge-1367421/) [Sorrows Greater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sorrows-greater-1649014/) ## Related quotes > [“If it were possible for us to see further than our knowledge extends and out a little over the outworks of our surmising, perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rainer-maria-rilke/if-it-were-possible-for-us-to-see-further-than-our-knowledge-extends/) [Rainer Maria Rilke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rainer-maria-rilke/) > [No one sees further into a generalization than his own knowledge of detail extends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/no-one-sees-further-into-a-generalization-than-his-own-knowledge-of/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [“Integrating micro-recommendations into the company’s big-picture vision and providing supporting facts and analysis for those micro-recommendations allow the consultant to instill greater confidence in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-cheng/integrating-micro-recommendations-into-the-company-s-big-picture/) [Victor Cheng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-cheng/) > [General Petraeus is not a miracle worker. 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This is important in view of the military modernization and growing defense spending…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sbyudhoyono/to-begin-with-we-need-to-promote-greater-confidence-building-measures/) [SBYudhoyono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sbyudhoyono/) > [“As you jump new hurdles, you gain greater confidence. Confidence can be achieved like any other practiced skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/as-you-jump-new-hurdles-you-gain-greater-confidence-confidence-can-be/) [Susan C. 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I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the ways that I discovered my confidence and my ability to overpower is becoming a mother. Suddenly, my world wasn't about myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lights/one-of-the-ways-that-i-discovered-my-confidence-and-my-ability-to/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lights/) > [My friend made me a leather dress for the MTV awards. It gives you confidence, wearing something you love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cat-deeley/my-friend-made-me-a-leather-dress-for-the-mtv-awards-it-gives-you/) [Cat Deeley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cat-deeley/) > [Confidence comes from cutting yourself some slack.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tess-daly/confidence-comes-from-cutting-yourself-some-slack/) [Tess Daly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tess-daly/) > [I would rather regret the things that I have done than the things that I have not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucille-ball/i-would-rather-regret-the-things-that-i-have-done-than-the-things/) [Lucille Ball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucille-ball/) > [You want to remain hungry and stay in a good place as a competitor; at the same time, you want to be confident but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lamar-odom/you-want-to-remain-hungry-and-stay-in-a-good-place-as-a-competitor-at/) [Lamar Odom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lamar-odom/) > [Get to know yourself well enough to not only expect, but also control, your response to the unexpected challenges in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/get-to-know-yourself-well-enough-to-not-only-expect-but-also-control/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [The four Cs of making dreams come true: Curiosity, Courage, Consistency, Confidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/the-four-cs-of-making-dreams-come-true-curiosity-courage-consistency/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [I look for someone who has confidence. Also someone whose energetic, cause I'm NOT that energetic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-jonas/i-look-for-someone-who-has-confidence-also-someone-whose-energetic/) [Nick Jonas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-jonas/) > [Why shouldn't I be confident? I'm well educated, I can deliver a line, and I have more than three expressions. That's good right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/why-shouldn-t-i-be-confident-i-m-well-educated-i-can-deliver-a-line/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [I was very confident on the stage, and I stood out in a red gown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-johnson/i-was-very-confident-on-the-stage-and-i-stood-out-in-a-red-gown/) [Nicole Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-johnson/) > [If you go to any nunnery and ask them what the main obstacle is, they'll always say low self-esteem and lack of confidence. 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