A beetle may or may not be inferior to a man - the matter awaits demonstration; but if he were inferior by ten thousand fathoms, the fact remains that there is probably a beetle view of things of which a man is entirely ignorant. If he wishes to conceive that point of view, he will scarcely reach it by persistently revelling in the fact that he is not a beetle.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Even if a beetle is inferior, it has a unique perspective humans cannot know by focusing on their own superiority.
- In plain terms
- Don't assume your view is the only one just because you are superior.
- What can you take from it?
- Acknowledge limits of your own perspective.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Whose perspective are you ignoring?
- How do you know your view is complete?
Another view
Some perspectives are objectively better than others based on evidence.
More from Gilbert Keith Chesterton
It is always the secure who are humble.
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