Asks Quote by Thomas Jefferson
![“While wading through the whimsies, the puerilities, and unintelligible jargon of this work [Plato's Republic], I laid it down often to ask myself how it could have been that the world should have so long consented to give reputation to such nonsense as this?” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c92/thomas-jefferson-43_asks_while-wading-through-the-whimsies-the-pu_2513325.jpg)
“While wading through the whimsies, the puerilities, and unintelligible jargon of this work [Plato's Republic], I laid it down often to ask myself how it could have been that the world should have so long consented to give reputation to such nonsense as this?”
About This Quote
Source Book: Plato's Republic, 380 BC
The author questions why society accepts nonsensical ideas presented in complex philosophical works.
In simple terms: He doubts the value of confusing philosophy.
Key Takeaway
Critically evaluate accepted ideas.
Themes
philosophy
skepticism
authority
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- public discourse
- media consumption
Key Concepts
critical thinking
intellectual humility
Questions to Reflect On
- What criteria determine meaningful content?
- How can we balance skepticism with openness?
A Different Perspective
Complex texts can still hold hidden insights.
![“[States and the Federal government are] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch of the same government.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/401/thomas-jefferson-43_branches_states-and-the-federal-government-are-co_2619.jpg)
![“Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period and pursued unalterably through every change of ministers, too plainly prove a deliberate, systematic plan of reducing [a people] to slavery.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/00c/thomas-jefferson-43_change_single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-t_5515.jpg)
![“Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear their leading you out of [any difficult situation] in the easiest manner possible...” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ebe/thomas-jefferson-43_difficult_though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one_9828.jpg)
