"You cannot speak of ocean to a well-frog, the creature of a narrower sphere. You cannot speak of ice to a summer insect, the creature of a season"
- Zhuang Zi
About this Quote
This quote by Zhuang Zi is a metaphor for the concept that one can not expect someone to comprehend something that is beyond their world of experience. The quote is saying that it is difficult to discuss something to someone who has actually not experienced it. For instance, a frog living in a well would not comprehend the idea of an ocean, as it has never ever seen one. Similarly, a summertime pest would not understand the principle of ice, as it has actually never ever experienced it.
The quote is a reminder that we ought to not anticipate others to comprehend something that is outside of their experience. We should be patient and understanding when trying to describe something to somebody who might not have the exact same level of understanding or experience. We ought to also be open to gaining from others, as they might have a different point of view that can help us to acquire a much better understanding of an idea.
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