Quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson
People disparage knowing and the intellectual life, and urge doing. I am content with knowing, if only I could know.
Summary
This quote suggests that there is a tendency in society to downplay the importance of knowledge and intellectual pursuits in favor of constant action and productivity. The speaker, however, values understanding and seeks contentment through the pursuit of knowledge. Although the desire for knowledge may not always be fulfilled, the speaker expresses a willingness to prioritize the acquisition of knowledge over mere activity.