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Acknowledging what you don't know is the dawning of wisdom.
Charlie Munger
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Recognizing your own ignorance is the first step towards gaining knowledge.

This quote by Charlie Munger emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in the pursuit of wisdom. It suggests that true intelligence begins when individuals acknowledge their limitations and gaps in knowledge, allowing them to be open to learning and personal growth. Accepting what one doesn't know can lead to greater insight and understanding, ultimately fostering wisdom over time.

Themes

WisdomKnowledgeSelf-AwarenessLearningIgnorance

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about lifelong learning at an educational conference.

More from Charlie Munger

How could economics not be behavioral? If it isn't behavioral, what the hell is it?
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The world of derivatives is full of holes that very few people are really aware of. It's like hydrogen and oxygen sitting on the corner waiting for a little flame.
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I believe in the discipline of mastering the best that other people have ever figured out. I don't believe in just sitting down and trying to dream it all up yourself. Nobody's that smart.
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Economics is in many respects the queen of the soft sciences. It's expected to be better than the rest. It's my view that economics is better at the multi-disciplinary stuff than the rest of the soft science. And it's also my view that it's still lousy.
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Look at this generation, with all of its electronic devices and multitasking. I will confidently predict less success than Warren, who just focused on reading.
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Economics profession, they've been - they've been confident in various formulas, but economics is not physics. The same formula that works in one decade doesn't work in the next. Economics is a difficult subject.
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A little wisdom, now and then

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