“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”
- March 30, 1853 – July 29, 1890
- Dutch
- Painter, Post-Impressionist Artist, Pioneer of Modern Art
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Quote
“For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.”
Explanation
This quote reflects Van Gogh’s embrace of humility in the face of mystery, and his reverence for the natural world as a source of inspiration. By admitting he knows “nothing with any certainty,” he expresses a philosophical openness, a recognition that truth is elusive and life is full of unanswered questions. Yet rather than despair, he turns to wonder—the sight of the stars ignites in him not fear or confusion, but dreams and imagination.
Van Gogh was fascinated by the night sky, and paintings like The Starry Night reveal his deep emotional and spiritual connection to it. To him, the stars were more than celestial objects—they were symbols of hope, mystery, and the infinite. In this quote, he reveals that while knowledge may be limited, the power to dream, to feel, and to envision transcends certainty and gives life its richness.
In modern times, the quote speaks to the importance of embracing uncertainty with curiosity rather than anxiety. It reminds us that not knowing everything is not a weakness, but a condition that invites wonder and creativity. Van Gogh’s words encourage us to look up, to dream, and to let beauty guide us—especially when logic and certainty fall short.
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