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He who thinks himself wise, O Heavens! is a great fool.

“He who thinks himself wise, O Heavens! is a great fool.” quote by Voltaire
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“He who thinks himself wise, O Heavens! is a great fool.”

Voltaire

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Self‑proclaimed wisdom is foolish; true wisdom recognizes its limits.

In simple terms: Thinking you’re wise makes you a fool.

Key Takeaway

Stay humble in knowledge.

Themes

philosophy wisdom humility

Mood

thoughtful serious

Type

philosophical advice

When to use this quote

  • education
  • debate
  • self‑reflection
  • leadership

Key Concepts

self‑deception epistemic humility critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

  • What does true wisdom look like?
  • When does confidence become arrogance?
A Different Perspective

Humility can be mistaken for lack of confidence.

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