The mind that is not baffled is not employed.
Meaning
In an essay on poetry and marriage, Berry notes that real thinking meets resistance and confusion. Feeling stuck signals that your mind is working. When a problem baffles you, treat that feeling as progress and give it another focused half hour before quitting.
Source: Standing by Words (1983), "Poetry and Marriage: The Use of Old Forms"
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
-
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
Meaning: True strength lies in perseverance through both success and failure. -
“The smallest clue, when understood correctly, can change the entire understanding of a situation.”
Meaning: Small insights matter. -
“Clarity of thought is essential when making decisions under uncertainty.”
Meaning: Clear thinking helps decisions. -
“We should not give up and we should not allow the problem to defeat us.”
Meaning: Stay resilient in difficult times. -
“If you want to shine like a sun, first burn like a sun.”
Meaning: Success requires intense effort and sacrifice. -
“Don’t take rest after your first victory because if you fail in second, more lips are waiting to say you were lucky.”
Meaning: Consistency proves true success. -
“Clarity in writing comes from understanding what truly matters.”
Meaning: This quote shows that focusing on core ideas helps communicate more effectively. -
“Victory belongs to the most persevering.”
Meaning: Persistence is the key to winning. -
“Understanding complexity requires patience and thoughtful reflection.”
Meaning: It emphasizes that deep understanding takes time and careful thinking. -
“Imagination allows us to explore worlds beyond our physical reality.”
Meaning: This quote highlights how creativity expands our perspective and helps us see beyond limitations.