“The water in a vessel is sparkling; the water in the sea is dark. The small truth has words which are clear; the great truth has great silence” – Rabindranath Tagore
Quotes for Essay Paper UPSC
1. Meaning and significance:
This quote by Rabindranath Tagore uses contrasting imagery to convey a profound insight about truth and understanding. The metaphor of water in a vessel versus water in the sea illustrates the difference between simple, easily grasped concepts and deeper, more complex truths.
The sparkling water in a vessel represents straightforward, readily apparent truths that can be easily expressed in words. These are the kinds of ideas or facts that we can quickly comprehend and articulate.
In contrast, the dark water of the sea symbolizes profound, far-reaching truths that are harder to fully grasp or explain. These deeper truths often defy simple explanation and may require contemplation, experience, or intuition to understand.
The quote suggests that while smaller truths can be clearly stated and understood, the most significant and transformative truths often transcend language. They may be felt or experienced rather than easily explained, hence the reference to “great silence.”
This insight is significant because it encourages us to look beyond surface-level understanding and appreciate the complexity of profound truths. It also reminds us that not everything valuable or important can be readily articulated, and that silence or contemplation can sometimes convey more than words.
2. Using the quote in an essay:
Tagore’s insight that “The small truth has words which are clear; the great truth has great silence” offers a compelling framework for examining the limitations of language in conveying complex ideas. In academic discourse, we often strive for clarity and precision in our arguments. However, Tagore’s quote reminds us that some concepts—particularly those dealing with human experience, consciousness, or existential questions—may resist straightforward explanation. This perspective can be valuable when discussing topics that involve nuance, ambiguity, or paradox, encouraging readers to look beyond surface-level interpretations and engage with ideas on a deeper level.
