“The true value of man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth. It is not possession of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectability is to be found. Possession makes one passive, indolent and proud. If God were to hold all Truth concealed in his right hand, and in his left only the steady and diligent drive for Truth, albeit with the proviso that I would always and forever err in the process, and to offer me the choice, I would with all humility take the left hand. ”
Example of Usage
In this quote by Gotthold Lessing, he emphasizes the importance of the pursuit of truth over mere possession of it. He argues that the true value of a person lies in their sincere effort to seek truth, rather than in any claims of possessing it. Lessing's words remind us of the significance of humility and diligence in the journey towards understanding.
Analysis of Quote by Gotthold Lessing
In this quote by Gotthold Lessing, he emphasizes the importance of the pursuit of truth over the mere possession of it. Lessing argues that one's true value as a person is not determined by how much truth they possess, but rather by their sincere effort to seek out the truth. He suggests that possessing truth can lead to passivity, laziness, and pride, while actively striving for truth leads to personal growth and improvement. Lessing's hypothetical scenario of choosing the diligent pursuit of truth over guaranteed error in possession of all truth highlights the significance of the journey towards knowledge and understanding.
Modern Relevance:
In today's world, where information is abundant and easily accessible, the words of Gotthold Lessing about the value of sincere effort in seeking the truth ring true. This quote emphasizes the importance of actively pursuing knowledge and truth, rather than just passively accepting what is presented. It highlights the idea that growth and improvement come not from possessing the truth, but from the journey of seeking it. This mindset can guide individuals in their quest for personal and intellectual growth, encouraging them to remain humble and diligent in their pursuit of truth.
Reflection Questions
After reading the quote by Gotthold Lessing, take some time to reflect on these questions:
- How do you define the true value of a person?
- In what ways does the pursuit of truth shape a person's character?
- Reflect on a time when you prioritized the pursuit of truth over the possession of it. What did you learn from that experience?
- How does humility play a role in the search for truth, according to the quote?
- Do you agree with the idea that possessing truth can make someone passive, indolent, and proud? Why or why not?
- Consider situations in your life where you have faced the choice between possessing truth and striving for it. How did you navigate those situations?
- How can the concept of "ever-growing perfectability" be applied to your own personal growth and development?
Similar quotes
“The true value of a man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth. It is not possession of the Truth, but rather the pursuit of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectibility is to be found. Possession makes one passive, indolent, and proud.”
“If God were to hold all Truth concealed in his right hand, and in his left only the steady and diligent drive for Truth, albeit with the proviso that I would always and forever err in the process, and to offer me the choice, I would with all humility take the left hand.”
“On that night I was left with only the truth that nothing of our personality survives after death, that in the end all that was Misha Vainberg would evaporate along with the styles and delusions of his epoch, leaving behind not one flutter of his sad heavy brilliance, not one damp spot around which his successors could congregate to appreciate his life and times.”
“The torments of a proud decision, a deep conscience! God, in whom he did not believe, and his truth were overcoming his heart, which still did not want to submit.”
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a sane employee in possession of his wits must be in want of a good manager.”