Speak the truth, do not yield to anger; give, if thou art asked for little; by these three steps thou wilt go near the gods.
ConfuciusRead
When you are ignorant about something, to know that you are ignorant about it - that is knowledge.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Recognizing one's own ignorance is the first step towards acquiring knowledge.
This quote by Confucius emphasizes the importance of self-awareness in the pursuit of knowledge. Acknowledging our own ignorance is a crucial aspect of learning, as it opens the door to curiosity and understanding, allowing us to seek out answers and grow intellectually.
Themes
KnowledgeIgnoranceSelf-AwarenessWisdomLearning
In practice
Example use cases
During a lecture about personal growth, one might use this quote to stress the value of recognizing gaps in knowledge.
More from Confucius
All quotes βEarnest in practicing the ordinary virtues, and careful in speaking about them, if, in his practice, he has anything defective, the superior man dares not but exert himself; and if, in his words, he has any excess, he dares not allow himself such license.
ConfuciusRead
When you see a good person, think of becoming like her/him. When you see someone not so good, reflect on your own weak points.
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Never give a sword to a man who can't dance.
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The superior man is distressed by the limitations of his ability; he is not distressed by the fact that men do not recognize the ability that he has.
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Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.
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