Praise ignorance, for what man has not encountered he has not destroyed.
Meaning
This ironic line comes from the Mad Farmer's manifesto, which urges people to be wary of arrogant certainty. Berry suggests that what we do not yet understand deserves restraint. Before changing something you only half understand, such as a habit or a system at work, observe it first.
Source: Farming: A Hand Book (1970), "Manifesto: The Mad Farmer Liberation Front"
About the author
Wendell Berry (born 1934) is an American novelist, poet, essayist and farmer from Kentucky. He is known for his writings on agrarian life, community and ecological humility.
Related quotes
-
“The roots below the earth claim no rewards for making the branches fruitful.”
Meaning: True contribution is often unseen and selfless. -
“To love. To be loved. To never forget your own smallness.”
Meaning: Balance love with humility. -
“The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship.”
Meaning: Just as animals create structures essential for survival, humans build friendships as a fundamental part of life. This quote emphasizes that relationships are a natural and necessary aspect of human existence. -
“Love. Be loved. And never forget your own insignificance.”
Meaning: Stay humble while experiencing love. -
“Great responsibilities require faith, humility, and determination.”
Meaning: Leadership becomes difficult without inner strength and belief in a higher purpose. Humility and persistence help people face major challenges. -
“What we know is a drop, what we don't know is an ocean.”
Meaning: Newton expresses humility in knowledge, recognizing the vastness of the unknown. -
“Nothing in the world is single; all things by a law divine in one spirit meet and mingle.”
Meaning: Everything in the universe is interconnected. -
“You should stay grounded no matter what.”
Meaning: Humility is important in success. -
“Gratitude is a form of humility.”
Meaning: Appreciation reflects awareness of dependence on others and circumstances. -
“The lapse of ages changes all things—time—language—the earth—the bounds of the sea.”
Meaning: Time transforms everything, from nature to human culture.