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About this quote

What does it mean?
More knowledge can increase doubt because the more we learn, the more we see the limits of our understanding.
In plain terms
Knowing more often makes us less certain.
What can you take from it?
Accept uncertainty as a sign of deeper insight.

Where it applies

  • studying a complex subject
  • researching a new field

Putting it to work

  • reexamine assumptions
  • seek multiple perspectives

Questions to consider

  • How does doubt affect your decision‑making?
  • When has increased knowledge made you more cautious?

Another view

Sometimes doubt can paralyze action.

More from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

  1. Nothing is more damaging to a new truth than an old error.

    Permalink to quote #87
  2. The greatest happiness for the thinking man is to have fathomed the fathomable, and to quietly revere the unfathomable.

    Permalink to quote #89
  3. Individuality of expression is the beginning and end of all art.

    Permalink to quote #86

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