---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: they gave thanks that they were permitted…"
description: "\"“they gave thanks that they were permitted to see so much, and begged forgiveness for their desire to see more.”\" — Ted Chiang"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/ted-chiang-11432_forgiveness_they-gave-thanks-that-they-were-permitte_2599477.jpg"
---

#  they gave thanks that they were permitted to see so much…

![“they gave thanks that they were permitted to see so much, and begged forgiveness for their desire to see more.” quote by Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/ted-chiang-11432_forgiveness_they-gave-thanks-that-they-were-permitte_2599477.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/ted-chiang-11432_forgiveness_they-gave-thanks-that-they-were-permitte_2599477.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/ted-chiang-11432_forgiveness_they-gave-thanks-that-they-were-permitte_2599477.jpg)

> ““they gave thanks that they were permitted to see so much, and begged forgiveness for their desire to see more.””

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A gratitude for the chance to witness wonders, coupled with a yearning for even more insight.

**In simple terms:** Thankful for what we see, but yearning for more.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate humility and curiosity.

Themes

gratitude curiosity humility

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- scientific discovery
- personal growth
- spiritual seeking

Key Concepts

philosophy existential reflection

Questions to Reflect On

- What limits does gratitude place on ambition?
- How can we balance contentment with curiosity?

A Different Perspective

Desire for more can lead to dissatisfaction.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Begged Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begged-forgiveness-1931467/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Forgiveness Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness-desire-1931469/) [Gave Thanks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gave-thanks-1045896/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Thanks Permitted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thanks-permitted-1931468/)

## Related quotes

> [ “\[T\]hey gave thanks that they were permitted to see so much, and begged for forgiveness for their desire to see more.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/t-hey-gave-thanks-that-they-were-permitted-to-see-so-much-and-begged/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [The first step to forgiveness is the desire to do it, no matter how you feel toward the person who hurt you. Then you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/the-first-step-to-forgiveness-is-the-desire-to-do-it-no-matter-how/)

[Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/)

> [“One might say my life has been tragic. Yet, as I sat in pain in the hospital I raised my tired hands toward the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abeba-habtu/one-might-say-my-life-has-been-tragic-yet-as-i-sat-in-pain-in-the/)

[Abeba Habtu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abeba-habtu/)

> [\[Nowhere was the feeling of bewilderment and betrayal stronger than among Clinton's political allies -- from cabinet members to White House aides -- who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-mccurry/nowhere-was-the-feeling-of-bewilderment-and-betrayal-stronger-than/)

[Mike McCurry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-mccurry/)

> [Pounce had it easier than any of us. No one noticed a black cat in the street. He stopped here and there to sniff…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/pounce-had-it-easier-than-any-of-us-no-one-noticed-a-black-cat-in-the/)

[Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/)

> [“If the Damall had caught Griff taking wine and salt, Griff would have begged forgiveness. Griff would have been afraid and sorry and promised…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cynthia-voigt/if-the-damall-had-caught-griff-taking-wine-and-salt-griff-would-have/)

[Cynthia Voigt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cynthia-voigt/)

> [“Did I mention my first sight of the African coast? Something struck in me, in my soul, Celie, like a large bell, and I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/did-i-mention-my-first-sight-of-the-african-coast-something-struck-in/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; / For this is my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bible/and-he-took-the-cup-and-gave-thanks-and-gave-it-to-them-saying-drink/)

[Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bible/)

> [A child who had been introduced to misery in Saudi Arabia, a teenager who went to wage jihad against the Soviets in Afghanistan, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-hayes/a-child-who-had-been-introduced-to-misery-in-saudi-arabia-a-teenager/)

[Terry Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-hayes/)

> [“You give thanks for small things. I gave thanks that I was wearing jeans, not a skirt. People start trying to kill you, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glen-duncan/you-give-thanks-for-small-things-i-gave-thanks-that-i-was-wearing/)

[Glen Duncan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glen-duncan/)

> [On the night He was betrayed Jesus broke bread and lifted it up and gave THANKS. If Jesus can give thanks in that, can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/on-the-night-he-was-betrayed-jesus-broke-bread-and-lifted-it-up-and/)

[Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/)

> [“Very sadly, Terry gave his thanks and walked to sit on a brown log. There”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tali-carmi/very-sadly-terry-gave-his-thanks-and-walked-to-sit-on-a-brown-log/)

[Tali Carmi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tali-carmi/)

> [Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/jesus-took-bread-gave-thanks-broke-it-and-gave-it-to-them-saying-this/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“In the original language, "he gave thanks" reads "eucharisteo." . . . The root word for eucharisteo is charis, meaning "grace." Jesus took bread…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/in-the-original-language-he-gave-thanks-reads-eucharisteo-the-root/)

[Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/)

> [“My mother-in-law got so angry at me she vowed she’d never speak to me again, and I smiled and gave thanks for the little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/my-mother-in-law-got-so-angry-at-me-she-vowed-she-d-never-speak-to-me/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

## More by Ted Chiang

> [“The physical universe was a language with a perfectly ambiguous grammar. Every physical event was an utterance that could be parsed in two entirely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/the-physical-universe-was-a-language-with-a-perfectly-ambiguous/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [Women who work with animals hear this all the time: that their love for animals must arise out of a sublimated child-rearing urge. Ana's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/women-who-work-with-animals-hear-this-all-the-time-that-their-love/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [Contemplate the marvel that is existence, and rejoice that you are able to do so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/contemplate-the-marvel-that-is-existence-and-rejoice-that-you-are/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [“Perhaps men were not meant to live in such a place. If their own natures restrained them from approaching heaven too closely, then men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/perhaps-men-were-not-meant-to-live-in-such-a-place-if-their-own/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [It is a misconception to think that during evolution humans sacrificed physical skill in exchange for intelligence: wielding one's body is a mental activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/it-is-a-misconception-to-think-that-during-evolution-humans/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [“And then there will be the times when I see you laughing. Like the time you’ll be playing with the neighbor’s puppy, poking your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/and-then-there-will-be-the-times-when-i-see-you-laughing-like-the/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [“When Arecibo is not listening to anything else, it hears the voice of creation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/when-arecibo-is-not-listening-to-anything-else-it-hears-the-voice-of/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [Similarly, knowledge of the future was incompatible with free will. What made it possible for me to exercise freedom of choice also made it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/similarly-knowledge-of-the-future-was-incompatible-with-free-will/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [“the ray of light has to know where it will ultimately end up before it can choose the direction to begin moving”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/the-ray-of-light-has-to-know-where-it-will-ultimately-end-up-before/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [“Yet through their endeavor, men would glimpse the unimaginable artistry of Yahweh's work, in seeing how ingeniously the world had been constructed. By this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/yet-through-their-endeavor-men-would-glimpse-the-unimaginable/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [Brain damage is never a good idea, no matter what your friends say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/brain-damage-is-never-a-good-idea-no-matter-what-your-friends-say/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [“I would have liked to experience more of the heptapods' worldview, to feel the way they feel. Then, perhaps I could immerse myself fully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/i-would-have-liked-to-experience-more-of-the-heptapods-worldview-to/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [“Branches are generated by any quantum event, right? Even before we had prisms, branches were still splitting off constantly; we just didn’t have access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/branches-are-generated-by-any-quantum-event-right-even-before-we-had/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [“Ease of learning isn’t the primary force in language evolution.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/ease-of-learning-isn-t-the-primary-force-in-language-evolution/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

> [“The hush of the night sky is the silence of a graveyard.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/the-hush-of-the-night-sky-is-the-silence-of-a-graveyard/)

[Ted Chiang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

[Explore all 58 Ted Chiang quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/)

## More Forgiveness quotes

> [“Lord I come before you, I repent all my sins; forgive me. I repent on behalf of my children forgive them Lord. Help them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/lord-i-come-before-you-i-repent-all-my-sins-forgive-me-i-repent-on/)

[Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/)

> [Forgiveness is not saying, What you did to me is okay. It is saying, Im not going to let what you did to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/forgiveness-is-not-saying-what-you-did-to-me-is-okay-it-is-saying-im/)

[Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/)

> [“So in practicing blanket forgiveness you first assume that in any current condition of pain or discomfort there is some anger involved, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-kahili-king/so-in-practicing-blanket-forgiveness-you-first-assume-that-in-any/)

[Serge Kahili King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-kahili-king/)

> [Do what is given to you, and do it well, and you will have done enough...live together in the forgiveness of your sins. Forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-what-is-given-to-you-and-do-it-well-and-you-will-have-done-enough/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The public, more often than not, will forgive mistakes, but it will not forgive trying to wiggle out of one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-grizzard/the-public-more-often-than-not-will-forgive-mistakes-but-it-will-not/)

[Lewis Grizzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-grizzard/)

> [A Real Boyfriend does the sweetest things randomly because he never wants her to feel unappreciated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/a-real-boyfriend-does-the-sweetest-things-randomly-because-he-never/)

[Enhance Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enhance-dreams/)

> [“(Evil people) do not believe in forgiveness. Their transgressions are either punished or not punished. That is the only result that matters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mchugh/evil-people-do-not-believe-in-forgiveness-their-transgressions-are/)

[Daniel McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mchugh/)

> [Friendship means understanding, not argument. it means forgiveness, not forgetting. it means the memories last, even if contact is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sokhom/friendship-means-understanding-not-argument-it-means-forgiveness-not/)

[Sokhom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sokhom/)

> [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/)

[Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/)

> [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/)

[Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/)

> [“Have an open mind and heart. Learn to journey in understanding and forgiveness. It's not always going to be easy but it will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-elle/have-an-open-mind-and-heart-learn-to-journey-in-understanding-and/)

[Alexandra Elle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-elle/)

> [Forgive us our trespasses," says Margarethe, "and get out of our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/forgive-us-our-trespasses-says-margarethe-and-get-out-of-our-way/)

[Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/)

> [“ving self and others is an every second of every day of every week, of every month, of every year gift that should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjo-jendayi/ving-self-and-others-is-an-every-second-of-every-day-of-every-week-of/)

[Sanjo Jendayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjo-jendayi/)

> [Forgive yourself for not being the richest, the thinnest, the tallest, the one with the best hair. Forgive yourself for not being the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/forgive-yourself-for-not-being-the-richest-the-thinnest-the-tallest/)

[Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/)

> [If you can't forgive and forget, pick only one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-brault/if-you-can-t-forgive-and-forget-pick-only-one/)

[Robert Brault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-brault/)

[Browse all 8,311 Forgiveness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“they gave thanks that they were permitted to see so much, and begged forgiveness for their desire to see more.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Ted Chiang"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/they-gave-thanks-that-they-were-permitted-to-see-so-much-and-begged/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Forgiveness"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/they-gave-thanks-that-they-were-permitted-to-see-so-much-and-begged/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/ted-chiang-11432_forgiveness_they-gave-thanks-that-they-were-permitte_2599477.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/ted-chiang-11432_forgiveness_they-gave-thanks-that-they-were-permitte_2599477.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a30/ted-chiang-11432_forgiveness_they-gave-thanks-that-they-were-permitte_2599477.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“they gave thanks that they were permitted to see so much, and begged forgiveness for their desire to see more.” — Ted Chiang",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Ted Chiang",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-chiang/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“they gave thanks that they were...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/they-gave-thanks-that-they-were-permitted-to-see-so-much-and-begged/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-chiang/they-gave-thanks-that-they-were-permitted-to-see-so-much-and-begged/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
