The quote highlights the distinction between the rigidity of having definitive answers and the openness that comes with questioning. Milan Kundera suggests that people's foolishness often stems from their insistence on having all the answers, whereas true wisdom lies in the ability to pose questions. This questioning mindset allows for a deeper understanding of life and fosters tolerance, encouraging individuals to explore complexities rather than cling to absolutes.

Kundera posits that in a society dominated by fixed certainties and ideologies, such as totalitarian regimes, the novel, as a form of expression that embraces inquiry, cannot thrive. In such environments, where answers are enforced and questioning is discouraged, the narrative depth and complexity found in literature are stifled. Thus, the vitality of the novel is intricately linked to the freedom to question and explore the human experience.