--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's one thing for a man not to know, not…" description: "\"It's one thing for a man not to know, not to have learned; it's another not to be able to live by what one does know.\" — Bernard Malamud" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5c/bernard-malamud-3871_able_it-s-one-thing-for-a-man-not-to-know-not_2102742.jpg" --- # It's one thing for a man not to know, not to have learned… ![“It's one thing for a man not to know, not to have learned; it's another not to be able to live by what one does know.” quote by Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5c/bernard-malamud-3871_able_it-s-one-thing-for-a-man-not-to-know-not_2102742.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5c/bernard-malamud-3871_able_it-s-one-thing-for-a-man-not-to-know-not_2102742.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a5c/bernard-malamud-3871_able_it-s-one-thing-for-a-man-not-to-know-not_2102742.jpg) > “It's one thing for a man not to know, not to have learned; it's another not to be able to live by what one does know.” [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Knowledge without the ability to apply it is useless; true wisdom requires living by what you know. **In simple terms:** Knowing isn’t enough; you must act on it. Key Takeaway Apply knowledge in daily life. Themes wisdom action learning integrity Mood thoughtful motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - decision making - teaching - personal growth - problem solving Key Concepts practical philosophy ethical living knowledge application Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn knowledge into action? - What prevents you from living your insights? A Different Perspective Applying knowledge can be hindered by fear or habit. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Diversity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/diversity/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Know Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-learned-492024/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned/) [Learned Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learned-able-3895852/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Live by](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/live-by/) [Man Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-know/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [One thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/one-thing/) [Social justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-justice/) ## Related quotes > [He had always known what I did not know and what, when I learned it, I was always able to forget. But I did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-hemingway/he-had-always-known-what-i-did-not-know-and-what-when-i-learned-it-i/) [Ernest Hemingway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-hemingway/) > [“I used to want to know everything, to be learned; and one thing I did learn thoroughly — I knew that I was not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/i-used-to-want-to-know-everything-to-be-learned-and-one-thing-i-did/) [Honoré de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [“Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/everything-you-need-to-know-you-have-learned-through-your-journey/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [There is only one way to learn. It's through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/there-is-only-one-way-to-learn-it-s-through-action-everything-you/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [You see, everything I know, I learned from my dad. He learned it all from his, and his dad just happened to be wrong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-bern/you-see-everything-i-know-i-learned-from-my-dad-he-learned-it-all/) [Dan Bern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-bern/) > [“There is one way to learn, it's through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey. You need to learn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho-the-alchemist/there-is-one-way-to-learn-it-s-through-action-everything-you-need-to/) [Paulo Coelho The Alchemist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho-the-alchemist/) > [You know what I learned? Everything has a price.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-itzler/you-know-what-i-learned-everything-has-a-price/) [Jesse Itzler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-itzler/) > [“Everything I need to know... I learned in kindergarten.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/everything-i-need-to-know-i-learned-in-kindergarten/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Ive learned I dont know anything. Have also learned that people will pay for what I know. Life is good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/ive-learned-i-dont-know-anything-have-also-learned-that-people-will/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“There is only one way to learn, the alchemist answered. It's through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/there-is-only-one-way-to-learn-the-alchemist-answered-it-s-through/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Everything I know, I learned from dogs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nora-roberts/everything-i-know-i-learned-from-dogs/) [Nora Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nora-roberts/) > [It was a sad thing. I don't know how he learned that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julian-sands/it-was-a-sad-thing-i-don-t-know-how-he-learned-that/) [Julian Sands](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julian-sands/) > [All I ever needed to know I learned in kindergarten. Share everything ... Don't hit people ... Clean up your own mess ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fulghum/all-i-ever-needed-to-know-i-learned-in-kindergarten-share-everything/) [Robert Fulghum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fulghum/) > [Those who know are not learned. Those who are learned do not know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/those-who-know-are-not-learned-those-who-are-learned-do-not-know/) [Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/) > [I can hold space for people who think I'm a nut job. It's cool. But I know from my own experience what I experienced.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-butterfly-hill/i-can-hold-space-for-people-who-think-i-m-a-nut-job-it-s-cool-but-i/) [Julia Butterfly Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-butterfly-hill/) ## More by Bernard Malamud > [Writers who can't invent stories often substitute style for narrative. They remind me of the painter who couldn't paint people, so he painted chairs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/writers-who-can-t-invent-stories-often-substitute-style-for-narrative/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) > [We have two lives... the life we learn with and the life we live after that. Suffering is what brings us towards happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/we-have-two-lives-the-life-we-learn-with-and-the-life-we-live-after/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) > [“Leo hurried up to bed and hid under the covers. Under the covers he thought his life through. 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That is to say, I act as an optimist because I find I cannot act at all, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/i-am-somewhat-of-a-meliorist-that-is-to-say-i-act-as-an-optimist/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) > [Teach yourself to work in uncertainty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/teach-yourself-to-work-in-uncertainty/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) > [One's fantasy goes for a walk and returns with a bride.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/one-s-fantasy-goes-for-a-walk-and-returns-with-a-bride/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) > [The great thing about writing: Stay with it ... ultimately you teach yourself something very important about yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/the-great-thing-about-writing-stay-with-it-ultimately-you-teach/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) > [We didn't starve, but we didn't eat chicken unless we were sick, or the chicken was](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/we-didn-t-starve-but-we-didn-t-eat-chicken-unless-we-were-sick-or-the/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) > [As long as a man stays alive he can't tell what chances will pop up next. But a dead man signs no checks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/as-long-as-a-man-stays-alive-he-can-t-tell-what-chances-will-pop-up/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) > [“So sleep now, without fear for your life, and if you should ever manage to get out of prison, keep in mind that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/so-sleep-now-without-fear-for-your-life-and-if-you-should-ever-manage/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) > [Children were strangers you loved because you could love. If they gave back love when they were grown you were ahead of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-malamud/children-were-strangers-you-loved-because-you-could-love-if-they-gave/) [Bernard Malamud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) [Explore all 114 Bernard Malamud quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-malamud/) ## More Able 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/) > [I have observed this in my experience of slavery, - that whenever my condition was improved, instead of its increasing my contentment, it only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-douglass/i-have-observed-this-in-my-experience-of-slavery-that-whenever-my/) [Frederick Douglass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-douglass/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [In the '80s, the way radio was programmed, if you didn't have a hit record you weren't going to be able to make any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/huey-lewis/in-the-80s-the-way-radio-was-programmed-if-you-didn-t-have-a-hit/) [Huey Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/huey-lewis/) > [I think I've had the longest career of strength, focus, and still being able to sell records. I think I'm that guy. I'm still…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nas/i-think-i-ve-had-the-longest-career-of-strength-focus-and-still-being/) [Nas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nas/) > [I have that need in me, I want everyone to love me, but I'm embarrassed by that need, so I wanted to cover it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-jeselnik/i-have-that-need-in-me-i-want-everyone-to-love-me-but-i-m-embarrassed/) [Anthony Jeselnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-jeselnik/) > [Thinking about the things that happened, I don't know any other ball player would could have done what he (Jackie Robinson) did. To be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pee-wee-reese/thinking-about-the-things-that-happened-i-don-t-know-any-other-ball/) [Pee Wee Reese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pee-wee-reese/) > [I wanted to remember in order to be able to return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anais-nin/i-wanted-to-remember-in-order-to-be-able-to-return/) [Anais Nin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anais-nin/) > [Government schools, with your tax money, now discourage the teaching of multiplication tables by rote memorization but teach reading by the 'look-and-say' method which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-perry/government-schools-with-your-tax-money-now-discourage-the-teaching-of/) [Greg Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-perry/) > [I don't know if I would qualify as mainstream. I think I have managed to function pretty successfully on the fringes of the music…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-metheny/i-don-t-know-if-i-would-qualify-as-mainstream-i-think-i-have-managed/) [Pat Metheny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-metheny/) > [What we're supposed to do as actors is be able to portray real human beings and emotions. 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