Tosach eólais imchomarc.

Tosach eólais imchomarc.

(beginning * of knowledge * inquiry)

Questioning is the beginning of knowledge.

A wise saying from “Bríathra Flainn Fína maic Ossu”. “Dá dtrian feasa fiafraighidh” (Enquiry is two thirds of knowledge) wrote the 13th century poet Muireadhach Albanach Ó Dálaigh (stanza 14 of “An Irritable Genius” in “Irish Bardic Poetry”). And Gofraidh Fionn Ó Dálaigh in the next century began a poem with the following stanza:

Madh fiafruightheach, budh feasach;
glic an éigse ilcheasach,
solus na ceasa ad-chluinidh,
dorus feasa fiafruighigh.

See also “Eochair fessa foglaim” in this collection.

Topics: Maxims & Wise Counsel