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About this quote

What does it mean?
True admiration comes from understanding something deeply, not just from surface impression.
In plain terms
Know something well before you admire it.
What can you take from it?
Let knowledge guide your admiration.

Where it applies

  • learning
  • criticism
  • relationships

Putting it to work

  • study before judging
  • seek understanding
  • value expertise

Questions to consider

  • What do you admire without knowing?
  • How does knowledge change respect?

Another view

Some admiration comes from intuition before knowledge.

More from Joseph Joubert

  1. There is always some frivolity in excellent minds; they have wings to rise, but also stray.

    Permalink to quote #74
  2. There was a time when the world acted on books; now books act on the world.

    Permalink to quote #76
  3. There is a physical weakness which stems from mental ability, and a mental weakness which comes from physical ability.

    Permalink to quote #73

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