But satire, ever moral, ever new, Delights the reader and instructs him, too. She, if good sense refine her sterling page, Oft shakes some rooted folly of the age.
Nicolas Boileau-DespreauxRead
The wisest man is he who does not fancy that he is so at all.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True wisdom comes from recognizing one's own limitations and ignorance.
This quote emphasizes that the most knowledgeable individuals are the ones who remain humble and aware of their own uncertainties. It suggests that wisdom is not about boasting or believing oneself to be the ultimate authority, but rather about understanding that there is always more to learn and that self-awareness is a key component of true wisdom.
Themes
WisdomHumilityKnowledgeSelf-AwarenessLearning
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion about expertise in a field, one might say this quote to remind others of the importance of humility.
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