I find the quotation to be one of the most powerful condensates of wisdom we are readily privileged to come across on a day to day basis.
As an avid reader and linguistic nerd, I often find seemingly simple phrases leap out of a piece of work and sing to me on a deeper level. Indeed, it is the discovery of these gems that most commonly mark the work of my very favorite artists, and often in surprising ways.
It can be fascinating to realize that a particular quote originated in a work we like to think we know well, only to find the quotation itself offers wisdom on quite another plane altogether.
Stephen King is good at this... He finds ways to insert clever thoughts and phrases into works that never make it to the big screen, or pop cultural recognition, but lie in wait as precious jewels for those who delve into the bedrock of the manuscript itself.
My favorite quotations, however, and those I find the most powerful in their time, are those that need a deal of rumination to truly grasp. - The best of which are often those I found to be completely Wrong, until time and thought illuminated their true meaning.
With that need to explore the meaning in mind, I shall follow the quotation itself with a short explanation as I interpret it...
All the greatest quotes unfold and unpack themselves from their unassuming framework as you explore them!
If, however, you are like me, and prefer a good self-cogitate on the subject without being spoon fed one man's attempts at profundity, I would advise waiting a bit to jump to my own... conclusions.
It is frustrating for me, as a lover of quotes, to think a reader would be presented with my thoughts and presume the matter settled. A good quote warrants a bit of Dwelling Upon! :)
With that in mind then, I thought I would kick off this series with a seemingly simple quote I picked up while reading Michael Crichton's 1987 novel 'SPHERE'.
It is an excellent book that delves into some really interesting psychological and philosophical questions when a group of scientists investigate a seemingly alien artifact at the bottom of the ocean with mysterious powers and an ability to manipulate their minds...
As usual, the film version, released in 1998 with Dustin Hoffman, is a thrilling action flick - but as a film adaptation, it inherently lacks the running internal dialogues that are so vital to understanding the psychological aspects of events.
The quotation that I took from this work has very much to do with this internal struggle of rationality and understanding, but I felt was one that spoke to a larger human condition than the singularly fantastical one of the book.
The quote was:
"Understanding is a delaying tactic."
Short and unassuming, I know...
But, let me unpack that a bit.
The basic idea of this thought is that seeking to "understand" something is often a way of delaying whatever action needs to be taken in a situation. It is a way of buying time in the hopes that better, or more effective actions will present themselves. But, it can often also simply be a way of delaying the moment of execution as we insist on further, often irrelevant pursuits.
This is especially pertainent when concerning the inner conflicts between the natures of the human instinctual understandings and the prejudicial disregard for its imput among those who seek to portray themselves as 'higher brained' individuals.
The academic mind balks at the simple solution, and the gut's reactions, because they refute the idea that a basic and instinctual decision could ever simply be the Correct one.
They pride themselves on a high minded, and Condescending perspective on situations, and thus they always pursue the Intellectual high ground before condoning actions - lest they be forced to admit afterwards that they stooped to making an instinctive decision.
But, ultimately, "understanding" is Not required to make a decision and - Yes, not even required to make the Right Decision! Moreover, in real life, we need simply to Do a thing... Not "understand" it.
When thrown off the boat into the sea, you need not "Understand" hydrodynamics, sea navigation, marine biology, and the historic evolution of survival techniques... you need to Swim! You need to Not Drown! And you need to Survive no matter how incomplete your knowledge, or 'primitive' your techniques.
Because "Understanding is a delaying tactic." ;)
