--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What a strange narrowness of mind now is…" description: "\"What a strange narrowness of mind now is that, to think the things we have not known are better than the things we have known.\" — Samuel Johnson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ab/samuel-johnson-50_inspirational_what-a-strange-narrowness-of-mind-now-is_1542254.png" --- # What a strange narrowness of mind now is that, to think… ![“What a strange narrowness of mind now is that, to think the things we have not known are better than the things we have known.” quote by Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ab/samuel-johnson-50_inspirational_what-a-strange-narrowness-of-mind-now-is_1542254.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ab/samuel-johnson-50_inspirational_what-a-strange-narrowness-of-mind-now-is_1542254.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0ab/samuel-johnson-50_inspirational_what-a-strange-narrowness-of-mind-now-is_1542254.png) > “What a strange narrowness of mind now is that, to think the things we have not known are better than the things we have known.” [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Preferring unknown possibilities over familiar truths shows narrow thinking and fear of reality. **In simple terms:** Choosing unknown over known shows narrowness. Key Takeaway Embrace known knowledge, question assumptions. Themes knowledge confidence open‑mindedness Mood reflective critical Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - decision making - learning new skills Key Concepts epistemology cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - What known facts could improve your life? - How can you test assumptions before dismissing them? A Different Perspective Assuming unknown is better can lead to missed opportunities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Known](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/known/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-think/) [Narrowness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrowness/) [Narrowness Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrowness-mind-1617867/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Strange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strange/) [Strange Narrowness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strange-narrowness-5746353/) [Think Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-things/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understand/) [Wise words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-words/) ## Related quotes > [Narrowness of mind is often the cause of obstinacy; we do not easily believe beyond what we see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/narrowness-of-mind-is-often-the-cause-of-obstinacy-we-do-not-easily/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [There is no cure for narrowness of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-norton/there-is-no-cure-for-narrowness-of-mind/) [Andre Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-norton/) > [Use your mind to think about things, rather than think of them. 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Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) ## More by Samuel Johnson > [The size of a man's understanding might always be justly measured by his mirth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-size-of-a-man-s-understanding-might-always-be-justly-measured-by/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Pound St. Paul's Church into atoms, and consider any single atom; it is to be sure, good for nothing; but put all these atoms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/pound-st-paul-s-church-into-atoms-and-consider-any-single-atom-it-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [You can never be wise unless you love reading.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/you-can-never-be-wise-unless-you-love-reading/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [All theory is against free will; all experience is for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/all-theory-is-against-free-will-all-experience-is-for-it/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Had I learned to fiddle, I should have done nothing else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/had-i-learned-to-fiddle-i-should-have-done-nothing-else/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [It is as foolish to make experiments upon the constancy of a friend, as upon the chastity of a wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/it-is-as-foolish-to-make-experiments-upon-the-constancy-of-a-friend/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Resolve not to be poor: whatever you have, spend less. 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