Quote by William Cowper Brann, Brann, the
The wisest is he that knows only that he knows nothing. God only knows. We mortals are only troubled with morbid little ideas, sired by circumstance and damned by folly. The human head can absorb only the flavorings of its surroundings. We assume that our faith political and our creed religious are founded upon our reason, when they are really made for us by social conditions over which we had little control.The book is becoming rare but some can still be found on the internet. It was printed and hard bound using private funds. Number of copies unknown. It bears no Library of Congress number. See also, Brann and the Iconoclast University of Texas Press, author Charles Carver, date 1957
Summary
This quote emphasizes the importance of humility and self-awareness. The wisest person acknowledges their ignorance and recognizes the limitations of human understanding. It suggests that our beliefs and ideas are often influenced by external factors such as societal conditions, rather than solely based on rational thinking or personal choice. The quote also highlights the fleeting nature of knowledge and the evasive qualities of truth. It encourages questioning and critical thinking, urging individuals to be mindful of the environmental context shaping their perspectives.