But now I have come to believe that the whole world is an enigma, a harmless enigma that is made terrible by our own mad attempt to interpret it as though it had an underlying truth.

Meaning

This quote can be read as an insight into wisdom. It often revolves around the belief that wisdom grows through experience and mistakes teach valuable lessons.

Theme

Many memorable quotes revolve around wisdom. The theme resonates widely because wisdom guides important decisions, reinforcing that listening brings understanding.

About the Author

Many popular reflections are credited to Umberto Eco, including this one. Their words often comment on themes like wisdom.

Style and Structure

The phrasing is minimalistic, using contrast to focus attention on the core idea.

FAQ

What does this quote mean?
wisdom grows through experience.

Why is it popular?
It speaks clearly about wisdom, making it widely relatable.

How can it be applied?
It encourages us to we learn from our experiences.