If knowledge isn't self-knowledge it isn't doing much, mate. Is the universe expanding? Is it contracting? Is it standing on one leg and singing 'When Father Painted the Parlour'? Leave me out. I can expand my universe without you. 'She walks into beauty, like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies, and all that's best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes. Tom Stoppard
About This Quote

Emily Dickinson wrote, “If knowledge isn't self-knowledge it isn't doing much, mate. Is the universe expanding? Is it contracting? Is it standing on one leg and singing 'When Father Painted the Parlour'? Leave me out. I can expand my universe without you. 'She walks into beauty, like the night of cloudless climes and starry skies, and all that's best of dark and bright meet in her aspect and her eyes.' One prominent interpretation of this poem is that it is about Dickinson’s relationship with God (cosmic consciousness).

Source: Arcadia

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More Quotes By Tom Stoppard
  1. It is a defect of God's humor that he directs our hearts everywhere but to those who have a right to them.

  2. I am not my body. My body is nothing without me.

  3. Be happy -- if you're not even happy, what's so good about surviving?

  4. Age is a very high price to pay for maturity.

  5. We're actors – we're the opposite of people!

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