Are we not madder than those first inhabitants of the plain of Sennar? We know that the distance separating the earth from the sky is infinite, and yet we do not stop building our tower.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Humans continue ambitious projects like the Tower of Babel despite knowing they cannot succeed.
- In plain terms
- We keep trying impossible things even when we know we will fail.
- What can you take from it?
- Ambition often ignores obvious limits.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does ambition become folly?
- Should we stop trying when success is impossible?
Another view
Some progress comes from attempting the impossible.
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