Imparting knowledge is only lighting other men's candles at our

“Imparting knowledge is only lighting other men’s candles at our lamp without depriving ourselves of any flame.”
Thus spoke Jane Porter, the English novelist and moral philosopher, whose words shine with quiet brilliance and timeless truth. In this simple and radiant image, she captures one of the noblest aspects of the human spirit: the power to share knowledge without loss, to give light without dimming one’s own. The flame she speaks of is not a fragile ember to be guarded jealously, but a living fire that grows stronger the more it spreads. To teach, to inspire, to guide — these are acts of creation that multiply illumination, kindling the minds of others while keeping one’s own ever-burning.

When Porter likens knowledge to a lamp, she invokes an ancient metaphor — one found in the sacred traditions of many civilizations. The lamp has long symbolized wisdom: a vessel of light that dispels ignorance and gives direction to those who wander in darkness. In her time, education was a privilege, not a universal right, yet she understood that the true wealth of wisdom lies in its abundance, not its scarcity. To share knowledge is not to give away something that can be lost, but to participate in the eternal exchange of truth — the flame that passes from soul to soul, from age to age, without ever being extinguished. Each candle kindled from another becomes a new source of radiance in the world.

The origin of this quote reflects Porter’s life and convictions. Born in 1776, she was one of the earliest women novelists to earn respect for her intellect and artistry, known for her historical works such as The Scottish Chiefs. In an age when women were often denied recognition in scholarly circles, Porter’s mind burned brightly. Her belief in education, virtue, and the dignity of knowledge was profound. Having faced hardship and obscurity, she came to see that wisdom’s highest purpose was not self-glorification, but service — that enlightenment, like fire, finds its fulfillment only when it spreads. Thus, her words became both a personal creed and a universal principle: that the wise are not diminished by teaching others, but completed by it.

To understand her teaching more deeply, consider the example of Socrates, who spent his life questioning, dialoguing, and awakening minds. He possessed no scrolls or temples of learning; his classroom was the open air, his tool the spoken word. Through conversation, he ignited the intellects of his students — among them Plato, who would in turn illuminate the ages. Though Socrates himself perished, condemned by those who feared his light, his flame did not die. It passed from disciple to disciple, down through the centuries, until even now it burns in the hearts of all who love wisdom. His story reveals the very truth Jane Porter describes: that to share knowledge is not to empty oneself, but to immortalize oneself through the enlightenment of others.

There is, too, a profound moral beauty in her words. For in a world where many hoard power, wealth, and privilege, knowledge stands apart as a treasure that increases through generosity. The miser grows poorer in spirit, but the teacher, the mentor, the parent, the friend who shares what they know grows richer in purpose. The act of imparting knowledge affirms the brotherhood of humanity — that we are not meant to walk alone, but to guide and be guided. Every act of instruction, every moment of kindness that opens another’s understanding, is a spark that brightens the collective dawn of humankind.

And yet, Porter’s image of the lamp carries a warning as well as hope. For a lamp must be tended — its oil replenished, its wick trimmed — or it will fade. Those who teach must also continue to learn. Those who give light must draw from a greater source — whether faith, study, or reflection — lest their flame grow weak. To share wisdom is not a single act but a lifelong practice of nurturing the inner fire. The true sage never believes their light complete; they keep learning, so that they may keep giving. Thus, the circle of illumination remains unbroken — generation after generation, mind to mind, heart to heart.

Therefore, O seeker of truth, take this lesson as both call and comfort: do not fear to share what you know, nor believe that by teaching others you diminish yourself. Give freely of your insights, your experience, your understanding, for in the act of giving you will discover the abundance of your own flame. Let your words kindle courage in those who doubt, curiosity in those who question, and wisdom in those who seek. And when others light their lamps at yours, rejoice — for their brightness is now part of your own.

For as Jane Porter teaches, the flame of knowledge is not like gold to be locked away, but like fire — divine, generous, and self-renewing. Each time we share it, the darkness retreats a little further, and the world grows warmer, clearer, and more alive. To teach, then, is not merely an act of intellect, but of love. It is to stand as a guardian of light in a shadowed world — and to know that in lighting the candles of others, we do not lose the fire within, but make it shine all the more brightly for all eternity.