I had such horror then of these paltry perplexities that I always fell into the same error, that of seeking to clear them up. It took me a long time, my lifetime so to speak, to realize that the colour of an eye half seen, or the source of some distant sound, are closer to Giudecca in the hell of unknowing than the existence of God, or the origins of protoplasm, or the existence of self, and even less worthy than these to occupy the wise. It's a bit much, a lifetime, to achieve this consoling conclusion, it doesn't leave you much time to profit by it.
The speaker reflects on the frustration and futility of becoming entangled in trivial uncertainties, realizing over a lifetime that these minor perplexities are insignificant compared to profound existential questions. He suggests that obsessing over small, unclear details is ultimately less wise than pondering the existence of God or the nature of self. This realization, though comforting, comes too late to be of much benefit.
The sentiment highlights a struggle with understanding and prioritizing life's mysteries. As he acknowledges the time wasted on trivial thoughts, the speaker conveys a sense of regret, suggesting that a deeper intellectual engagement with substantial questions is more fulfilling and worthy of pursuit than fixating on fleeting ambiguities.
