“Philosophy is like trying to open a safe with a combination lock: each little adjustment of the dials seems to achieve nothing, only when everything is in place does the door open.”
Cite this quote
APA
Wittgenstein, L. (n.d.). Philosophy is like trying to open a safe with a combination lock: each little adjustment of the dials seems to achieve nothing, only when everything is in place does the door open. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22308-philosophy-is-like-trying-to-open-a-safe/
MLA
Wittgenstein, Ludwig. “Philosophy is like trying to open a safe with a combination lock: each little adjustment of the dials seems to achieve nothing, only when everything is in place does the door open.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22308-philosophy-is-like-trying-to-open-a-safe/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.
Chicago
Wittgenstein, Ludwig. “Philosophy is like trying to open a safe with a combination lock: each little adjustment of the dials seems to achieve nothing, only when everything is in place does the door open.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/22308-philosophy-is-like-trying-to-open-a-safe/.