Arise Quote by William Osler
“At the outset do not be worried about this big question-Truth. It is a very simple matter if each one of you starts with the desire to get as much as possible. No human being is constituted to know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth; and even the best of men must be content with fragments, with partial glimpses, never the full fruition. In this unsatisfied quest the attitude of mind, the desire, the thirst-a thirst that from the soul must arise!-the fervent longing, are the be-all and the end-all.”
About This Quote
Source Lecture: The Quest for Truth, 1910
Truth is fragmented; seeking it requires relentless desire and acceptance of partial knowledge.
In simple terms: Truth is partial; seek it.
Key Takeaway
Pursue truth while embracing limits.
Themes
truth
knowledge
humility
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- research
- education
- spiritual practice
- policy making
Key Concepts
philosophy
science
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- What drives your thirst for truth?
- How do you handle incomplete knowledge?
A Different Perspective
Accepting fragments may hinder pursuit of deeper truth.
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