Ignorance Quote by Wendell Berry
“Praise ignorance, for what man has not encountered he has not destroyed.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Unsettling of America, Wendell Berry, 1977
Ignorance can protect the unknown from harm, urging humility toward unfamiliar things.
In simple terms: Not knowing can prevent destruction.
Respect the unknown.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- policy making
- personal interactions
- conservation
- education
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How might ignorance cause unintended harm?
- When should we seek knowledge?
Assumes all unknowns are harmless, which may not be true.