--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Real knowledge is to know the extent of…" description: "\"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.\" — Confucius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/confucius-164_ignorance_real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of_502686.jpg" --- # Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance. ![“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/confucius-164_ignorance_real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of_502686.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/confucius-164_ignorance_real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of_502686.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/confucius-164_ignorance_real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of_502686.jpg) > “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.” [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True wisdom is recognizing how much you do not know. **In simple terms:** Knowing your limits is real knowledge. Key Takeaway Acknowledge your ignorance. Themes humility wisdom self-awareness Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - personal growth - leadership - decision making Key Concepts Socratic method epistemology Questions to Reflect On - What areas do you assume you know best? - How can admitting ignorance improve learning? A Different Perspective It may discourage confidence if over‑emphasized. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Extent Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/extent-ignorance-1001261/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Knowledge Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge-know-494627/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Real knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-knowledge/) ## Related quotes > [“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” Be”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-gawdat/real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of-one-s-ignorance-be/) [Mo Gawdat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-gawdat/) > [“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance. —Confucius The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-tegmark/real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of-one-s-ignorance-confucius-the/) [Max Tegmark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-tegmark/) > [“Oh, Confucius, "real knowledge" is to know we will ever be able to measure the extent of our, or one's, ignorance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-cia-ramos/oh-confucius-real-knowledge-is-to-know-we-will-ever-be-able-to/) [Lúcia Ramos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-cia-ramos/) > [“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” —Confucius”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-oppenlander/real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of-one-s-ignorance-confucius/) [Richard Oppenlander](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-oppenlander/) > [Shall I tell you what knowledge is? It is to know both what one knows and what one does not know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/shall-i-tell-you-what-knowledge-is-it-is-to-know-both-what-one-knows/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [All I really know is the extent of my own ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/all-i-really-know-is-the-extent-of-my-own-ignorance/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/it-takes-considerable-knowledge-just-to-realize-the-extent-of-your/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [“Education is learning the extent of one's own ignorance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-c-nolan/education-is-learning-the-extent-of-one-s-own-ignorance/) [Raymond C. Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-c-nolan/) > [“The source of all the problems in the world is ignorance - the limited view point or narrow mindedness or the conditioned state of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-vazhakunnathu/the-source-of-all-the-problems-in-the-world-is-ignorance-the-limited/) [Thomas Vazhakunnathu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-vazhakunnathu/) > [The grain of real knowledge is concealed in a vast deal of esoteric chaff.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-rupert-hall/the-grain-of-real-knowledge-is-concealed-in-a-vast-deal-of-esoteric/) [Alfred Rupert Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-rupert-hall/) > [“Teach honesty by all means - you do know what it is, don't you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/teach-honesty-by-all-means-you-do-know-what-it-is-don-t-you/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [It is better to have useless knowledge than to know nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/it-is-better-to-have-useless-knowledge-than-to-know-nothing/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [“On Knowledge: You know that I know you know, but I want you to know that I know you know I know you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/on-knowledge-you-know-that-i-know-you-know-but-i-want-you-to-know/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [It takes knowledge to know something. It takes guts to do what you know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-wentz/it-takes-knowledge-to-know-something-it-takes-guts-to-do-what-you-know/) [Pete Wentz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-wentz/) > [“To know gneya-gnan (the knowledge regarding the object to be known) is referred to as scriptural knowledge and to Know Gnata-Gnan (the Knowledge regarding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/to-know-gneya-gnan-the-knowledge-regarding-the-object-to-be-known-is/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) ## More by Confucius > [Attack the evil that is within yourself, rather than attacking the evil that is in others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/attack-the-evil-that-is-within-yourself-rather-than-attacking-the/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The superior man is distressed by his want (lack) of ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-distressed-by-his-want-lack-of-ability/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [In ancient times, those who wished to illuminate the world with virtue first brought order to their nations. Wishing to order well their nations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/in-ancient-times-those-who-wished-to-illuminate-the-world-with-virtue/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Better than the one who knows what is right is the one who loves what is right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/better-than-the-one-who-knows-what-is-right-is-the-one-who-loves-what/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Knowledge is merely brilliance in organization of ideas and not wisdom. The truly wise person goes beyond knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/knowledge-is-merely-brilliance-in-organization-of-ideas-and-not/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [I live in a very small house, but my windows look out on a very large world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/i-live-in-a-very-small-house-but-my-windows-look-out-on-a-very-large/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To rule a country of a thousand chariots, there must be reverent attention to business, and sincerity; economy in expenditure, and love for men;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-rule-a-country-of-a-thousand-chariots-there-must-be-reverent/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [The real fault is to have faults and not amend them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-real-fault-is-to-have-faults-and-not-amend-them/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-what-you-know-and-what-you-do-not-know-that-is-true-knowledge/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [A picture is poem without words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/a-picture-is-poem-without-words/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Heaven means to be one with God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/heaven-means-to-be-one-with-god/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Does Heaven ever speak? The four seasons come and go, and all creatures thrive and grow. Does Heaven ever speak!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/does-heaven-ever-speak-the-four-seasons-come-and-go-and-all-creatures/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To study and at times practice what one has learned, is this not a pleasure?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-study-and-at-times-practice-what-one-has-learned-is-this-not-a/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Recompense injury with justice, and recompense kindness with kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/recompense-injury-with-justice-and-recompense-kindness-with-kindness/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [There is only one thing in life which never changes, and it is change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/there-is-only-one-thing-in-life-which-never-changes-and-it-is-change/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) [Explore all 1,019 Confucius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## More Ignorance quotes > [My folks tried to make a preacher of me and missed by a narrow margin… I would have made a good one if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/my-folks-tried-to-make-a-preacher-of-me-and-missed-by-a-narrow-margin/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [If you had made the acquiring of ignorance the study of your life, you could not have graduated with higher honor than you could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/if-you-had-made-the-acquiring-of-ignorance-the-study-of-your-life-you/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [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/) > [Ignorance is not bliss — it is oblivion. Determined ignorance is the hastiest kind of oblivion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-wylie/ignorance-is-not-bliss-it-is-oblivion-determined-ignorance-is-the/) [Philip Wylie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-wylie/) > [... informed ignorance provides the natural state of mind for research scientists at the ever-shifting frontiers of knowledge. People who believe themselves ignorant of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-degrasse-tyson/informed-ignorance-provides-the-natural-state-of-mind-for-research/) [Neil deGrasse Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-degrasse-tyson/) > [“If knowledge does not liberate the self from the self, then ignorance is better than such knowledge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hakim-sanai/if-knowledge-does-not-liberate-the-self-from-the-self-then-ignorance/) [Hakim Sanai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hakim-sanai/) > [You are senile old fool, and because of your impudence, I cannot fathom how you still live!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-are-senile-old-fool-and-because-of-your-impudence-i-cannot-fathom/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Surely, God could have caused birds to fly with their bones made of solid gold, with their veins full of quicksilver, with their flesh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galileo-galilei/surely-god-could-have-caused-birds-to-fly-with-their-bones-made-of/) [Galileo Galilei](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galileo-galilei/) > [“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance, and a people who mean to be their own governors, must arm themselves with the power knowledge gives. A…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/knowledge-will-forever-govern-ignorance-and-a-people-who-mean-to-be/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [“Don’t turn your face away. Once you’ve seen, you can no longer act like you don’t know. Open your eyes to the truth. It’s…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vashti-quiroz-vega/don-t-turn-your-face-away-once-you-ve-seen-you-can-no-longer-act-like/) [Vashti Quiroz-Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vashti-quiroz-vega/) > [Nothing is worse than active ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-is-worse-than-active-ignorance/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The only victories which leave no regret are those which are gained over ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-bonaparte/the-only-victories-which-leave-no-regret-are-those-which-are-gained/) [Napoleon Bonaparte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-bonaparte/) > [“Those who embrace prejudice doom themselves to live in ignorance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-p-lintz-sr/those-who-embrace-prejudice-doom-themselves-to-live-in-ignorance/) [John P Lintz Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-p-lintz-sr/) > [“You are a lawmaker in your own right.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/you-are-a-lawmaker-in-your-own-right/) [Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/) > [Sanity can take one of only two forms: that of ignorance, or denial.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-r-audette/sanity-can-take-one-of-only-two-forms-that-of-ignorance-or-denial/) [Derek R. Audette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-r-audette/) [Browse all 5,657 Ignorance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Confucius" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of-one-s-ignorance/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ignorance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of-one-s-ignorance/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/confucius-164_ignorance_real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of_502686.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/confucius-164_ignorance_real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of_502686.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/282/confucius-164_ignorance_real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of_502686.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.” — Confucius", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Confucius", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Real knowledge is to know the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of-one-s-ignorance/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of-one-s-ignorance/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```