The quote from George Eliot's "Middlemarch" suggests a common progression in human understanding and belief. Initially, we start with limited knowledge but tend to hold strong beliefs. Over time, as we accumulate experiences and insights, our understanding deepens, often leading to a shift in our convictions. This reflects the idea that true wisdom involves questioning our earlier beliefs in light of new information.

This journey from certainty to a more nuanced comprehension mirrors the development of characters in "Middlemarch", who navigate their personal and social complexities. As they learn and grow, they may find themselves reevaluating their earlier perspectives, indicating that the path to knowledge often involves a transformative reevaluation of what we once thought was true.