“ We are often unable to tell people what they NEED to know, because they WANT to know something else, and would therefore only misunderstand what we said. ”
George MacDonald, Lilith (1895). copy citation
| Author | George MacDonald |
|---|---|
| Source | Lilith |
| Topic | knowledge misunderstanding want |
| Date | 1895 |
| Language | English |
| Reference | |
| Note | |
| Weblink | http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1640/1640-h/1640-h.htm |
Context
“There are more ways than one, I know, for I have gone by two already.»
«There are indeed many ways.»
«Tell me, please, how to recognise the nearest.»
«I cannot,» answered the raven; «you and I use the same words with different meanings. We are often unable to tell people what they NEED to know, because they WANT to know something else, and would therefore only misunderstand what we said. Home is ever so far away in the palm of your hand, and how to get there it is of no use to tell you. But you will get there; you must get there; you have to get there. Everybody who is not at home, has to go home.” source
«There are indeed many ways.»
«Tell me, please, how to recognise the nearest.»
«I cannot,» answered the raven; «you and I use the same words with different meanings. We are often unable to tell people what they NEED to know, because they WANT to know something else, and would therefore only misunderstand what we said. Home is ever so far away in the palm of your hand, and how to get there it is of no use to tell you. But you will get there; you must get there; you have to get there. Everybody who is not at home, has to go home.” source
Meaning and analysis
