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
To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge. When you say something, say what you know. When you don't know something, say you don't know. That is knowledge.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True knowledge comes from recognizing one's own ignorance and being honest about what one knows and does not know.
This quote from Confucius emphasizes the importance of humility in the pursuit of knowledge. It suggests that true wisdom is not just about accumulating facts, but understanding the limitations of one’s own knowledge. By acknowledging our own ignorance, we open ourselves up to continuous learning and honest communication. The essence of knowledge is not merely in possession of information, but in recognizing what we don't know and being truthful about it.
Themes
KnowledgeIgnoranceWisdomLearningHumility
In practice
Example use cases
In a classroom setting, a teacher may use this quote to encourage students to ask questions rather than pretending to know the answers.
More from Confucius
All quotes →Earnest 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.
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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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