--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is alone that part of the external…" description: "\"It is alone that part of the external universe which we call material which acts on man through his senses - that part of which we ordinarily feel our ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/richard-maurice-bucke-82688_aspect_it-is-alone-that-part-of-the-external-un_1604514.jpg" --- # It is alone that part of the external universe which we… ![“It is alone that part of the external universe which we call material which acts on man through his senses - that part of which we ordinarily feel our knowledge to be the surest; but in reality, strangely enough, as will soon appear, this is one of the aspects of the external world, of which we…” quote by Richard Maurice Bucke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/richard-maurice-bucke-82688_aspect_it-is-alone-that-part-of-the-external-un_1604514.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/richard-maurice-bucke-82688_aspect_it-is-alone-that-part-of-the-external-un_1604514.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cdf/richard-maurice-bucke-82688_aspect_it-is-alone-that-part-of-the-external-un_1604514.jpg) > “It is alone that part of the external universe which we call material which acts on man through his senses - that part of which we ordinarily feel our knowledge to be the surest; but in reality, strangely enough, as will soon appear, this is one of the aspects of the external world, of which we can know nothing.” Richard Maurice Bucke ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We perceive only a limited, sensory part of reality, while the vast majority remains unknowable. **In simple terms:** We sense only a tiny slice of reality. Key Takeaway Accept that much of reality is beyond our grasp. Themes knowledge perception unknown humility Mood curious humble reflective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - scientific research - philosophical inquiry - personal reflection Key Concepts epistemology metaphysics cognitive limits Questions to Reflect On - How do we navigate decisions with limited knowledge? - What can we trust beyond our senses? A Different Perspective Our senses give us a false sense of certainty about the world. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [External world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/external-world/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Universe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universe/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [It is immediately apparent, however, that this sense-world, this seemingly real external universe - though it may be useful and valid in other respects…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-underhill/it-is-immediately-apparent-however-that-this-sense-world-this/) [Evelyn Underhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-underhill/) > [Man reacts upon and toward the external universe in three ways, namely, by his active nature ; by his intellectual nature ; by his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-maurice-bucke/man-reacts-upon-and-toward-the-external-universe-in-three-ways-namely/) Richard Maurice Bucke > [When you feel this knowledge and this spark in yourself, you've gotta continue feeding it. 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Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/) ## More by Richard Maurice Bucke > [Man reacts upon and toward the external universe in three ways, namely, by his active nature ; by his intellectual nature ; by his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-maurice-bucke/man-reacts-upon-and-toward-the-external-universe-in-three-ways-namely/) Richard Maurice Bucke > [Deep in the soul, below pain, below all the distraction of life, is a silence vast and grand - an infinite ocean of calm,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-maurice-bucke/deep-in-the-soul-below-pain-below-all-the-distraction-of-life-is-a/) Richard Maurice Bucke Explore all 3 Richard Maurice Bucke quotes ## More Aspect quotes > [Why is wisdom so fair? Why is beauty so wise? 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