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It is the tragedy of the world that no one knows what he doesn't know - and the less a man knows, the more sure he is that he knows everything.
Joyce Cary
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Interpretation

What this quote means

People are often unaware of their own ignorance, and this leads to overconfidence in their knowledge.

This quote highlights a fundamental aspect of human nature: individuals with limited knowledge often mistakenly believe they possess comprehensive understanding. The irony lies in the fact that true wisdom comes from recognizing the limitations of one's knowledge, while those who are less informed tend to exhibit greater certainty in their beliefs, leading to a tragedy of misunderstanding and closed-mindedness in societal discourse.

Themes

IgnoranceKnowledgeOverconfidenceWisdomUnderstanding

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about education reform, this quote can emphasize the importance of continuous learning.

More from Joyce Cary

The truth is that life is hard and dangerous; that he who seeks his own happiness does not find it; that he who is weak must suffer; that he who demands love will be disappointed; that he who is greedy will not be fed; that he who seeks peace will find strife; that truth is only for the brave; that joy is only for him who does not fear to be alone; that life is only for the one who is not afraid to die.
Joyce CaryRead

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