Who said “Our dignity is not in what we do, but in what we understand.”?

Verified

George Santayana. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceThe Genteel Tradition in American Philosophy (1911)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: The Genteel Tradition in American Philosophy (1911).

APA

Santayana, G. (n.d.). Our dignity is not in what we do, but in what we understand. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13525-our-dignity-is-not-in-what-we-do/

MLA

Santayana, George. “Our dignity is not in what we do, but in what we understand.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13525-our-dignity-is-not-in-what-we-do/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Santayana, George. “Our dignity is not in what we do, but in what we understand.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/13525-our-dignity-is-not-in-what-we-do/.