--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do not try to know the truth, for…" description: "\"Do not try to know the truth, for knowledge by the mind is not true knowledge. But you can know what is not true-which is enough to liberate you from t..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2b/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj-953_bondage_do-not-try-to-know-the-truth-for-knowled_390455.png" --- # Do not try to know the truth, for knowledge by the mind is… ![“Do not try to know the truth, for knowledge by the mind is not true knowledge. But you can know what is not true-which is enough to liberate you from the false. The idea that you know what is true is dangerous, for it keeps you imprisoned in the mind. It is when you do not know, that you are free…” quote by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2b/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj-953_bondage_do-not-try-to-know-the-truth-for-knowled_390455.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2b/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj-953_bondage_do-not-try-to-know-the-truth-for-knowled_390455.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e2b/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj-953_bondage_do-not-try-to-know-the-truth-for-knowled_390455.png) > “Do not try to know the truth, for knowledge by the mind is not true knowledge. But you can know what is not true-which is enough to liberate you from the false. The idea that you know what is true is dangerous, for it keeps you imprisoned in the mind. It is when you do not know, that you are free to investigate. And there can be no salvation, without investigation, because non investigation is the main cause of bondage.” [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True knowledge comes from recognizing the limits of the mind; seeing what is false frees us to explore reality. **In simple terms:** Knowing limits frees you to explore. Key Takeaway Question assumptions, stay curious. Themes philosophy spirituality freedom Mood contemplative liberating Type aphilosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal growth - meditation - critical thinking - educational inquiry Key Concepts non-duality epistemology mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - What beliefs might you be clinging to? - How does uncertainty open pathways? A Different Perspective Relying solely on mental concepts can trap you in illusion. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bondage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bondage/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Salvation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salvation/) [True knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-knowledge/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [Mind alone is the cause of the bondage or freedom of the soul. By the attachment of the mind to the world we become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-cole-whittaker/mind-alone-is-the-cause-of-the-bondage-or-freedom-of-the-soul-by-the/) [Terry Cole-Whittaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-cole-whittaker/) > [“There is no means other than Vitaraag Vignan (Science that leads to the absolute state free of attachment-abhorrence) that can give Moksha (ultimate liberation).…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/there-is-no-means-other-than-vitaraag-vignan-science-that-leads-to/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [“For man, mind is the cause of bondage and mind is the cause of liberation. Mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-bhaktivedanta-swami-prabhup-da/for-man-mind-is-the-cause-of-bondage-and-mind-is-the-cause-of/) [A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-bhaktivedanta-swami-prabhup-da/) > [Breaking into a system or exposing its weaknesses is a good thing because truth and knowledge must win out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-farmer/breaking-into-a-system-or-exposing-its-weaknesses-is-a-good-thing/) [Dan Farmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-farmer/) > [Hasn't knowledge only crippled me from seeing truth? Is knowledge itself illusory?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/hasn-t-knowledge-only-crippled-me-from-seeing-truth-is-knowledge/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [Where there is truth, there also is knowledge which is true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/where-there-is-truth-there-also-is-knowledge-which-is-true/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [When we value correct principles, we have truth - a knowledge of things as they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-covey/when-we-value-correct-principles-we-have-truth-a-knowledge-of-things/) [Stephen Covey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-covey/) > [Even the facts of science may dust the mind by their dryness, unless they are ... rendered fertile by the dews of fresh and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/even-the-facts-of-science-may-dust-the-mind-by-their-dryness-unless/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [“The price you pay for truth is knowledge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-may/the-price-you-pay-for-truth-is-knowledge/) [Elizabeth May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-may/) > [“There is truth and knowledge beyond understanding.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/there-is-truth-and-knowledge-beyond-understanding/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [All those formal systems, in mathematics and physics and the philosophy of science, which claim to give foundations for certain truth are surely mistaken.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacob-bronowski/all-those-formal-systems-in-mathematics-and-physics-and-the/) [Jacob Bronowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacob-bronowski/) > [“I spoke to you all of the Wheel,” he said quietly. “The Wheel turns and unless we are alert an opportunity is snatched or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talbot-mundy/i-spoke-to-you-all-of-the-wheel-he-said-quietly-the-wheel-turns-and/) [Talbot Mundy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talbot-mundy/) > [Knowledge, or more expressively truth,--for knowledge is truth received into our intelligence,--truth is an ideal whole.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sterling/knowledge-or-more-expressively-truth-for-knowledge-is-truth-received/) [John Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sterling/) > [Truth is not found by knowledge, it is found by silence. And knowledge is noisy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/truth-is-not-found-by-knowledge-it-is-found-by-silence-and-knowledge/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [The Absolute Truth of Knowledge is precisely non-Knowledge. If this Mirror called Knowledge remains in the phase where nothing is reflected in it, then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sorin-cerin/the-absolute-truth-of-knowledge-is-precisely-non-knowledge-if-this/) [Sorin Cerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sorin-cerin/) ## More by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj > [Forgetting your Self is the greatest injury; all the calamities flow from it. Take care of the most important, the lesser will take care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/forgetting-your-self-is-the-greatest-injury-all-the-calamities-flow/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [There is nothing to do, just be. Do nothing. Be. No climbing mountains and sitting in caves. I do not even say "be yourself"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/there-is-nothing-to-do-just-be-do-nothing-be-no-climbing-mountains/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [Let the dream unroll itself to its very end. You cannot help it. But you can look at the dream as a dream, refuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/let-the-dream-unroll-itself-to-its-very-end-you-cannot-help-it-but/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [As long as the mind is there, your body and your world are there. Your world is mind-made, subjective, enclosed within the mind, fragmentary,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/as-long-as-the-mind-is-there-your-body-and-your-world-are-there-your/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [I ask you what is the taste of your mouth all you can do is to say: it is neither sweet nor bitter, nor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/i-ask-you-what-is-the-taste-of-your-mouth-all-you-can-do-is-to-say-it/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [It is your restlessness that causes chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/it-is-your-restlessness-that-causes-chaos/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [To go beyond the mind, you must be silent and quiet. Peace and silence, silence and peace - this is the way beyond. Stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/to-go-beyond-the-mind-you-must-be-silent-and-quiet-peace-and-silence/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [Absolute perfection is here and now, not in some future, near or far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/absolute-perfection-is-here-and-now-not-in-some-future-near-or-far/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [Having never left the house you are looking for the way home](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/having-never-left-the-house-you-are-looking-for-the-way-home/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [Once you understand that the false needs time and what needs time is false, you are nearer the Reality, which is timeless, ever in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/once-you-understand-that-the-false-needs-time-and-what-needs-time-is/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [The universe is but a partial manifestation of your limitless capacity to become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/the-universe-is-but-a-partial-manifestation-of-your-limitless/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [In reality, time and space exist in you. You do not exist in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/in-reality-time-and-space-exist-in-you-you-do-not-exist-in-them/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [Whatever happens, happens to you by you, through you; you are the creator, enjoyer and destroyer of all you perceive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/whatever-happens-happens-to-you-by-you-through-you-you-are-the/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [Life is love and love is life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/life-is-love-and-love-is-life/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [The real does not die, the unreal never lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/the-real-does-not-die-the-unreal-never-lived/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) [Explore all 321 Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) ## More Bondage quotes > [Just a decade after 'Living in Bondage,' Nollywood films, made in some 300 languages, were being watched in both urban and rural areas, distributed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-flock/just-a-decade-after-living-in-bondage-nollywood-films-made-in-some/) [Elizabeth Flock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-flock/) > [The awakening of the soul to its bondage and its effort to stand up and assert itself - this is called life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-awakening-of-the-soul-to-its-bondage-and-its-effort-to-stand-up/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Too long have the workers of the world waited for some Moses to lead them out of bondage. I would not lead you out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-v-debs/too-long-have-the-workers-of-the-world-waited-for-some-moses-to-lead/) [Eugene V. Debs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-v-debs/) > [If we do not abide in prayer, we will abide in temptation. Let this be one aspect of our daily intercession: "God, preserve my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-owen/if-we-do-not-abide-in-prayer-we-will-abide-in-temptation-let-this-be/) [John Owen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-owen/) > [According to Jains the soul in pure form has infiniteness in terms of its knowledge and power. These faculties are obstructed for its exhibition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/virchand-gandhi/according-to-jains-the-soul-in-pure-form-has-infiniteness-in-terms-of/) [Virchand Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/virchand-gandhi/) > [The strongest reason for giving woman all the opportunities of higher education, for the full development of her faculties, forces of mind and body;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-cady-stanton/the-strongest-reason-for-giving-woman-all-the-opportunities-of-higher/) [Elizabeth Cady Stanton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-cady-stanton/) > [Every step into freedom contains within it the potential for greater bondage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence-mckenna/every-step-into-freedom-contains-within-it-the-potential-for-greater/) [Terence McKenna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence-mckenna/) > [“This is a disturbing fetish, Vin," he says, coming up for air. "Why can't you be into bondage like everyone else?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmond-manning/this-is-a-disturbing-fetish-vin-he-says-coming-up-for-air-why-can-t/) [Edmond Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmond-manning/) > [Advanced meditators are not even desirous of liberation anymore - that is just another attachment. There is no liberation. There is no bondage. These…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/advanced-meditators-are-not-even-desirous-of-liberation-anymore-that/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Slavery is slavery. The chain of gold is quite as bad as the chain of iron. Is there a way out?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/slavery-is-slavery-the-chain-of-gold-is-quite-as-bad-as-the-chain-of/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Woman has so long been subject to the disabilities and restrictions with which her progress has been embarrassed that she has become enervated, her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretia-mott/woman-has-so-long-been-subject-to-the-disabilities-and-restrictions/) [Lucretia Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretia-mott/) > [To my mind, the main reason for the Depression in the United States as a whole, is the bondage of debt and the spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heber-j-grant/to-my-mind-the-main-reason-for-the-depression-in-the-united-states-as/) [Heber J. Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heber-j-grant/) > [Our life is a reflection of what we believe we deserve. As we deepen our acceptance of and open ourselves to the Infinite love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shakti-gawain/our-life-is-a-reflection-of-what-we-believe-we-deserve-as-we-deepen/) [Shakti Gawain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shakti-gawain/) > [Being aware of the bondage is enough to free you from its clutches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/being-aware-of-the-bondage-is-enough-to-free-you-from-its-clutches/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [You see, money to you means freedom; to me it means bondage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-see-money-to-you-means-freedom-to-me-it-means-bondage/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 550 Bondage quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bondage/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Do not try to know the truth, for knowledge by the mind is not true knowledge. 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