--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: IGNORAMUS, n. A person unacquainted with…" description: "\"IGNORAMUS, n. A person unacquainted with certain kinds of knowledge familiar to yourself, and having certain other kinds that you know nothing about.\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ec/ambrose-bierce-140_certain_ignoramus-n-a-person-unacquainted-with-c_1546722.jpg" --- # IGNORAMUS, n. A person unacquainted with certain kinds of… ![“IGNORAMUS, n. A person unacquainted with certain kinds of knowledge familiar to yourself, and having certain other kinds that you know nothing about.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ec/ambrose-bierce-140_certain_ignoramus-n-a-person-unacquainted-with-c_1546722.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ec/ambrose-bierce-140_certain_ignoramus-n-a-person-unacquainted-with-c_1546722.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5ec/ambrose-bierce-140_certain_ignoramus-n-a-person-unacquainted-with-c_1546722.jpg) > “IGNORAMUS, n. A person unacquainted with certain kinds of knowledge familiar to yourself, and having certain other kinds that you know nothing about.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Describes a person who knows things you don't and lacks knowledge you possess, highlighting asymmetrical awareness. **In simple terms:** Someone knows what you don't, and you know what they don't. Key Takeaway Recognize and bridge knowledge gaps. Themes knowledge humility communication Mood thoughtful analytical Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - team meetings - cross‑disciplinary projects - learning environments - conflict resolution Key Concepts asymmetry perspective ignorance Questions to Reflect On - How can you leverage differing knowledge for collaboration? - What steps can you take to learn from others? A Different Perspective Assumes mutual ignorance is always negative; sometimes expertise is complementary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ignoramus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignoramus/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) ## Related quotes > [IGNORAMUS, n. A person unacquainted with certain kinds of knowledge familiar to yourself, and having certain other kinds that you know nothing about. Dumble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ignoramus-n-a-person-unacquainted-with-certain-kinds-of-knowledge/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“I am unacquainted with His designs, but I shall not cease to believe in them because I cannot fathom them, and I had rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-tocqueville/i-am-unacquainted-with-his-designs-but-i-shall-not-cease-to-believe/) [Alexis de Tocqueville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-tocqueville/) > [“Those unacquainted with any language but their own are generally very exclusive in matters of taste.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-dwaipayana-vyasa/those-unacquainted-with-any-language-but-their-own-are-generally-very/) [Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-dwaipayana-vyasa/) > [Man is an ignoramus athirst for knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-wagner/man-is-an-ignoramus-athirst-for-knowledge/) [Charles Wagner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-wagner/) > [I wanted to see how much of an insult it was to be called an ignoramus. I didn't know what it meant; I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-carlson/i-wanted-to-see-how-much-of-an-insult-it-was-to-be-called-an/) [Gretchen Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-carlson/) > [You cannot govern, you cannot administrate, with an ignoramus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oriana-fallaci/you-cannot-govern-you-cannot-administrate-with-an-ignoramus/) [Oriana Fallaci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oriana-fallaci/) > [ “Homine imperito nunquam quidquam injustius. \[There is nothing more unfair than an ignoramus.\]” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-racine/homine-imperito-nunquam-quidquam-injustius-there-is-nothing-more/) [Jean Racine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-racine/) > [“You wouldn’t know him if I told you the name. HIPPIAS: But I know right now he’s an ignoramus.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-wouldn-t-know-him-if-i-told-you-the-name-hippias-but-i-know-right/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“Every single person is a fool, insane, a failure, or a bad person to at least ten people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/every-single-person-is-a-fool-insane-a-failure-or-a-bad-person-to-at/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“Not everyone who talks less or keeps quiet whenever they are with or around you does that because they find you interesting or knowledgeable;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/not-everyone-who-talks-less-or-keeps-quiet-whenever-they-are-with-or/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [For all of you out there who don't know what 'ignoramus' is, it's an ignorant lawyer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-carlson/for-all-of-you-out-there-who-don-t-know-what-ignoramus-is-it-s-an/) [Gretchen Carlson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-carlson/) > [A brainiac notices everything, an ignoramus comments about everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/a-brainiac-notices-everything-an-ignoramus-comments-about-everything/) [Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/) > [My garden will never make me famous, I'm a horticultural ignoramus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/my-garden-will-never-make-me-famous-i-m-a-horticultural-ignoramus/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [“Among other possibilities, money was invented to make it possible for a foolish man to control wise men; a weak man, strong men; a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/among-other-possibilities-money-was-invented-to-make-it-possible-for/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [ There was another reason \[she\] took her books whenever they went away. They were her home when she was somewhere strange. They were familiar… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cornelia-funke/there-was-another-reason-she-took-her-books-whenever-they-went-away/) [Cornelia Funke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cornelia-funke/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Certain quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [One can put some trust in the gratitude of a sovereign, and also in that of his family; under certain conditions, one can even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/otto-von-bismarck/one-can-put-some-trust-in-the-gratitude-of-a-sovereign-and-also-in/) [Otto von Bismarck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/otto-von-bismarck/) > [For successful education there must always be a certain freshness in the knowledge dealt with. It must be either new in itself or invested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-north-whitehead/for-successful-education-there-must-always-be-a-certain-freshness-in/) [Alfred North Whitehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-north-whitehead/) > [People don't always realize that a record is forever. It'll always be there under your name. You've got to be certain that it's right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-iero/people-don-t-always-realize-that-a-record-is-forever-it-ll-always-be/) [Frank Iero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-iero/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) Riffat Hassan > [I started out dancing on a reality TV show, but always with the intention of making my way over to film. I transitioned into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-hough/i-started-out-dancing-on-a-reality-tv-show-but-always-with-the/) [Julianne Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-hough/) > [One of the deepest and strangest of all human moods is the mood which will suddenly strike us perhaps in a garden at night,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-of-the-deepest-and-strangest-of-all-human-moods-is-the-mood-which/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [I mean those people who are interested in good government will certainly contribute in order to make certain there's some counter-balance to those whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-breyer/i-mean-those-people-who-are-interested-in-good-government-will/) [Stephen Breyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-breyer/) > [Why do we love certain homes, and why do they seem to love us? It is the warmth of our individual hearts reflected in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-h-robsjohn-gibbings/why-do-we-love-certain-homes-and-why-do-they-seem-to-love-us-it-is/) T. H. 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But later in life good poets burn their early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/i-think-that-at-a-certain-age-say-fifteen-or-sixteen-poetry-is-like/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [If a person does not listen to the demands of their own spiritual and heart life and insists on a certain program, you're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/if-a-person-does-not-listen-to-the-demands-of-their-own-spiritual-and/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) Browse all 13,673 Certain quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "IGNORAMUS, n. 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