--- 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. D..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73c/ambrose-bierce-140_famous_ignoramus-n-a-person-unacquainted-with-c_1518157.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. Dumble was an ignoramus, Mumble was for learning famous. Mumble said one day to Dumble: Ignorance should be more humble. Not a spark have you of…” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73c/ambrose-bierce-140_famous_ignoramus-n-a-person-unacquainted-with-c_1518157.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73c/ambrose-bierce-140_famous_ignoramus-n-a-person-unacquainted-with-c_1518157.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/73c/ambrose-bierce-140_famous_ignoramus-n-a-person-unacquainted-with-c_1518157.jpg) > “IGNORAMUS, n. A person unacquainted with certain kinds of knowledge familiar to yourself, and having certain other kinds that you know nothing about. Dumble was an ignoramus, Mumble was for learning famous. Mumble said one day to Dumble: Ignorance should be more humble. Not a spark have you of knowledge That was got in any college. Dumble said to Mumble: Truly You're self-satisfied unduly. Of things in college I'm denied A knowledge --you of all beside. --Borelli.” [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. A person lacking knowledge in areas familiar to the speaker, yet possessing unknown gaps elsewhere. **In simple terms:** Someone who knows little about what you know, but also misses other things. Key Takeaway Recognize your own blind spots. Themes humility knowledge selfawareness Mood thoughtful reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - education - selfassessment - dialogue Key Concepts ignorance epistemic humility Questions to Reflect On - What do you assume you know that you might not? - How can you stay open to learning? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ignoramus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignoramus/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) ## 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.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ignoramus-n-a-person-unacquainted-with-certain-kinds-of-knowledge-2/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [“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/) > [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/) > [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/) > [LOSS, n. Privation of that which we had, or had not. Thus, in the latter sense, it is said of a defeated candidate that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/loss-n-privation-of-that-which-we-had-or-had-not-thus-in-the-latter/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TROGLODYTE, n. Specifically, a cave-dweller of the paleolithic period, after the Tree and before the Flat. A famous community of troglodytes dwelt with David…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/troglodyte-n-specifically-a-cave-dweller-of-the-paleolithic-period/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [I think the most famous person I've ever met is Brad Pitt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-glass/i-think-the-most-famous-person-i-ve-ever-met-is-brad-pitt/) [Ira Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-glass/) ## 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 Famous quotes > [I think the most famous person I've ever met is Brad Pitt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ira-glass/i-think-the-most-famous-person-i-ve-ever-met-is-brad-pitt/) [Ira Glass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ira-glass/) > [I don't want to be famous famous. 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It got to the point where I would try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/becoming-famous-is-a-really-shocking-thing-especially-when-you-don-t/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [When Americans, who have no idea who I am, laugh at my jokes, it's exactly the same if someone loves you even if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gad-elmaleh/when-americans-who-have-no-idea-who-i-am-laugh-at-my-jokes-it-s/) [Gad Elmaleh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gad-elmaleh/) > [And I want to do it the right way, like everybody else, not just a famous figurehead that gets a job because he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/and-i-want-to-do-it-the-right-way-like-everybody-else-not-just-a/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [I was fascinated by the story of FW Murnau, one of the most famous directors in Germany, where I come from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/udo-kier/i-was-fascinated-by-the-story-of-fw-murnau-one-of-the-most-famous/) [Udo Kier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/udo-kier/) > [If I had never gotten famous or rich, I think I'd be equally neurotic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-romano/if-i-had-never-gotten-famous-or-rich-i-think-i-d-be-equally-neurotic/) [Ray Romano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-romano/) > [The caricature of science is that we hold tight to the theories we have, and shun challenges to them. 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