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About this quote

What does it mean?
If we fully perceived future happiness, current life would feel unbearable by comparison.
In plain terms
Knowing too much about heaven would make earthly life seem like punishment.
What can you take from it?
Partial ignorance protects us from despair about the present.

Where it applies

  • spiritual reflection
  • dealing with loss

Putting it to work

  • focus on present joys
  • accept life's limits

Questions to consider

  • Is ignorance sometimes a blessing?

Another view

Some might find comfort in full knowledge of future rewards.

More from Sir Thomas Browne

  1. A Dialogue between two Infants in the womb concerning the state of this world, might handsomely illustrate our ignorance of the next, whereof methinks we yet d…

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  2. Time which antiquates Antiquities, and hath an art to make dust of all things.

    Permalink to quote #42
  3. In the deep discovery of the Subterranean world, a shallow part would satisfy some enquirers.

    Permalink to quote #39

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