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Of all that writ, he was the wisest bard, who spoke this mighty truth- He that knew all that ever learning writ, Knew only this-that he knew nothing yet.
Aphra Behn
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True wisdom lies in recognizing the limits of one's knowledge.

This quote suggests that the greatest understanding comes from acknowledging one's ignorance. It highlights the paradox of knowledgeβ€”while one may accumulate information and learning, the wisest individuals realize that there is always more to learn, and true wisdom stems from an awareness of this continuous pursuit of knowledge.

Themes

WisdomKnowledgeLearningIgnoranceTruth

In practice

Example use cases

This quote would be appropriate in a philosophy class discussing the nature of knowledge.

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