The greatest men the world has produced have known but little. They had a few facts, mingled with mistakes without number. In some departments they towered above their fellows, while in others they fell below the common level of mankind.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Even the greatest people know little and make many mistakes. They excel in some areas but are ordinary in others.
- In plain terms
- Great people are limited and make mistakes like everyone else.
- What can you take from it?
- Stay humble about what you know.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What do you know for sure?
- How limited is your knowledge?
Another view
Some people achieve deep mastery in specific fields.
More from Robert G. Ingersoll
Great virtues may draw attention from defects, they cannot sanctify them. A pebble surrounded by diamonds remains a common stone, and a diamond surrounded by p…
Permalink to quote #53 Volumes might be written upon the follies and imbecilities of great men. A full rounded man - a man of sterling sense and natural logic - is just as rare as a …
Permalink to quote #55 The fact is, very few men are right in everything.
Permalink to quote #52
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