How little we know of what there is to know. I wish that I were going to live a long time instead of going to die today because I have learned much about life in these four days; more, I think than in all other time. I'd like to be an old man to really know. I wonder if you keep on learning or if there is only a certain amount each man can understand. I thought I knew so many things that I know nothing of. I wish there was more time.

Summary

This quote expresses the frustration of not knowing what there is to know and the desire to live longer to acquire more knowledge. The speaker laments that in just four days they have learned more about life than in all their previous time, and wonders if age brings greater understanding. They question whether there is a limit to how much one person can comprehend, realizing that what they thought they knew is merely a fraction of what there is to learn. Ultimately, they express a longing for more time to continue their pursuit of knowledge.

Topics