Quotes on Knowledge and Knowing

January 2009

There is no difference in our powers.  Each one of us has the same power to perceive, to experience, to learn.                                                                 What we learn differs, our experiences differ, our perceptions differ, but that does not show a difference in our powers -                                                       it shows a difference only in the application of those powers.  Each one of us contains within himself the same possibilities                                                 as exist anywhere and everywhere in the universe.  The lines that we have hitherto taken have brought us to whatever pass,                                        conditions or surroundings that may obtain at the present time.  But we might have gone another way and produced an altogether                                different environment.  We ought to see that even now, however hampered we may be as the result of mistaken action in the past,                                   we have not lost and can never lose our power to set other and better causes in motion. The path toward all knowledge lies before us.                            

The Friendly Philosopher  p.227

Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.
- ALBERT EINSTEIN

The possession of knowledge does not kill the sense of wonder and mystery. There is always more mystery. 
- ANAIS NIN

If we value independence, if we are disturbed by the growing conformity of knowledge, of values, of attitudes,                                                                        which our present system induces, then we may wish to set up conditions of learning which make for uniqueness,                                                               for self-direction, and for self-initiated learning. 
- CARL ROGERS

The aim of education is the knowledge not of fact, but of values. 
- DEAN WILLIAM R. INGE

The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.
- EDEN PHILLPOTTS

It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.
-EPICTETUS

The beginning of knowledge is the discovery of something we do not understand.
- FRANK HERBERT

Knowing is not enough; we must apply! 
- GOETHE

The eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend. 
- HENRI BERGSON

Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life. 
- IMMANUEL KANT

We are drowning in information but starved for knowledge. 
- JOHN NAISBITT

Knowledge has three degrees -- opinion, science, illumination.                                                                                                                                                The means or instrument of the first is sense; of the second, dialectic; of the third, intuition.
- PLOTINUS

Knowledge is of two kinds: we know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it. 
- SAMUEL JOHNSON

The first step towards knowledge is to know that we are ignorant.
- RICHARD CECIL

Sit down before fact as a little child, be prepared to give up every preconceived notion,                                                                                                  follow humbly wherever or whatever abysses nature leads, or you will learn nothing. 
- THOMAS H. HUXLEY

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing,                                                                                                             to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.
- BERTRAND RUSSELL

If you have knowledge, let others light their candles at it. 
- LAO-TZU

Virtue is an angel, but she is a blind one, and must ask Knowledge to show her the pathway that leads to her goal.
- HORACE MANN

Little minds are interested in the extraordinary; great minds in the commonplace.
- ELBERT HUBBARD

As we acquire more knowledge, things do not become more comprehensible, but more mysterious.
- ALBERT SCHWEITZER

It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so.
- WILL ROGERS

They know enough who know how to learn.
- HENRY ADAMS

The great end of life is not knowledge but action. 
- THOMAS H. HUXLEY

Most men live in and by desire, mistaking it for will. But he who would achieve must separate will from desire,                                                                        and make his will the ruler; for desire is unstable and ever changing, while will is steady and constant.

Both will and desire are absolute creators, forming the man himself and his surroundings.                                                                                                         But will creates intelligently - desire blindly and unconsciously. The man, therefore, makes himself in the image of his desires,                                        unless he creates himself in the likeness of the Divine, through his will, the child of the light.

His task is twofold: to awaken the will, to strengthen it by use and conquest, to make it absolute ruler within his body;                                                           and, parallel with this, to purify desire.

Knowledge and will are the tools for the accomplishment of this purification.
- H.P. BLAVATSKY

Truth is within ourselves, it takes no rise
   From outward things; whate'er you may believe

There is an inmost center in us all
  Where truth abides in fullness;...
   This perfect, clear perception which is Truth....

To know consists in opening out a way
  Whence the imprisoned splendor may escape...
-ROBERT BROWNING

 “Theosophical Independence”  is produced monthly by Associates of The United Lodge of Theosophists in Philadelphia.                                         Comments, questions and contributions for publication may be sent to The United Lodge of Theosophists,                                                                              1917 Walnut Street,   Philadelphia, PA  19103.

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