Darkness Quote by Randall Jarrell
““I see at least that all knowledge I wrung from the darkness-- that the darkness flung me-- is worthless as ignorance: nothing comes from nothing, the darkness from the darkness. Pain comes from the darkness and we call it wisdom. It is pain.””
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Dark” from collection “The Lost World”, 1959
He suggests that knowledge gained through suffering is as empty as ignorance; pain is mistaken for wisdom.
In simple terms: Suffering‑based knowledge feels meaningless.
Key Takeaway
Question the value of pain‑derived insight.
Themes
philosophy
pain
knowledge
wisdom
existentialism
Mood
thoughtful
somber
critical
Type
poetic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal trauma
- grief counseling
- creative writing
- philosophical debate
Key Concepts
epistemology
nihilism
human condition
Questions to Reflect On
- What experiences have you labeled “wisdom” but felt hollow?
- Can suffering ever produce genuine insight?
A Different Perspective
Pain may not lead to true understanding.
![“Early in his life Mr. [Ezra] Pound met with strong, continued, and unintelligent opposition. If people keep opposing you when you are right, you think them fools; and after a time, right or wrong, you think them fools simply because they oppose you. Similarly, you write true things or good things…” quote by Randall Jarrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a7/randall-jarrell-3811_ends_early-in-his-life-mr-ezra-pound-met-with_359433.jpg)
