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Since knowledge is but sorrow’s spy,
It is not safe to know.
--
The Just Italian (licensed Oct. 2, 1629; printed 1630), Act v. Sc. 1. Compare: "From ignorance our comfort flows", Matthew Prior, To the Hon. Charles Montague; "Where ignorance is bliss, ’T is folly to be wise", Thomas Gray, Eton College, Stanza 10.

 

William Davenant

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The scientific world is to be less threatening than was feared. It is to made safe for human beings. And the way to make it safe is to reflect on the foundation of knowledge.

 

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Sorrow is knowledge: they who know the most
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The going's rough, and so we need the laugh
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Marion Zimmer Bradley

 

"The bitterest sorrow that man can know is to aspire to do much and to achieve nothing"... so Herodotus relates that a Persian said to a Theban at a banquet (book ix., chap. xvi.). And it is true. With knowledge and desire we can embrace everything , or almost everything; with the will nothing, or almost nothing. And contemplation is not happiness — no! not if this contemplation implies impotence. And out of this collision between our knowledge and our power pity arises.

 

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