--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To know everything is to know nothing…" description: "\"To know everything is to know nothing, but to know nothing is to know everything.\" — Confucius" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/confucius-164_deep-life_to-know-everything-is-to-know-nothing-bu_3199319.jpg" --- # To know everything is to know nothing, but to know nothing… ![“To know everything is to know nothing, but to know nothing is to know everything.” quote by Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/confucius-164_deep-life_to-know-everything-is-to-know-nothing-bu_3199319.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/confucius-164_deep-life_to-know-everything-is-to-know-nothing-bu_3199319.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/confucius-164_deep-life_to-know-everything-is-to-know-nothing-bu_3199319.jpg) > “To know everything is to know nothing, but to know nothing is to know everything.” [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 lies in recognizing the limits of knowledge; humility opens the path to deeper insight. **In simple terms:** Know your limits to learn more. Key Takeaway Embrace humility and curiosity. Themes wisdom humility learning Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - leadership - personal development Key Concepts philosophy epistemology self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - What do you not know that could change your view? - How can you stay open to new ideas? A Different Perspective Thinking you know everything blocks growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [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/) > [What you know you know. What you don't know, you don't know. This is knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/what-you-know-you-know-what-you-don-t-know-you-don-t-know-this-is-2/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To know that you know, and to know that you don't know - that is real wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-that-you-know-and-to-know-that-you-don-t-know-that-is-real/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Know what you know and know that you don't know what you don't know — that is the characteristic of one who knows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/know-what-you-know-and-know-that-you-don-t-know-what-you-don-t-know/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To take what you know for what you know, and what you do not know for what you do not know, that is knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-take-what-you-know-for-what-you-know-and-what-you-do-not-know-for/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [To know and not do, is to not yet know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-and-not-do-is-to-not-yet-know/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [What you know, you know, what you don't know, you don't know. This is true wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/what-you-know-you-know-what-you-don-t-know-you-don-t-know-this-is/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [When you know a thing, to hold that you know it, and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-you-know-a-thing-to-hold-that-you-know-it-and-when-you-do-not/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Uncertainty that comes from knowledge (knowing what you don't know) is different from uncertainty coming from ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/uncertainty-that-comes-from-knowledge-knowing-what-you-don-t-know-is/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [I know the market, coz I am the market](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-curtis/i-know-the-market-coz-i-am-the-market/) Anne Curtis > [“I know I know nothing, but I know more than some people...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-mckendry/i-know-i-know-nothing-but-i-know-more-than-some-people/) Jessica McKendry > [I already know that u know that I like u, the question is Wat r u going to do with that information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/i-already-know-that-u-know-that-i-like-u-the-question-is-wat-r-u/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [I know who I am. I know what I represent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-cora/i-know-who-i-am-i-know-what-i-represent/) [Alex Cora](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-cora/) > [“More we know, more we come know that how less we know”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/souvik-khamrui/more-we-know-more-we-come-know-that-how-less-we-know/) Souvik Khamrui ## 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 Deep life quotes > [When all goes wrong, PUSH! When you wish for something, PUSH! When people don't understand you, PUSH! When you wish for love, PUSH! P-ray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/when-all-goes-wrong-push-when-you-wish-for-something-push-when-people/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [Uncertainty that comes from knowledge (knowing what you don't know) is different from uncertainty coming from ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/uncertainty-that-comes-from-knowledge-knowing-what-you-don-t-know-is/) [Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/) > [If an opinion contrary to your own makes you angry, that is a sign that you are subconsciously aware of having no good reason…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-an-opinion-contrary-to-your-own-makes-you-angry-that-is-a-sign/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [A life without Love is same as Body without Soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/a-life-without-love-is-same-as-body-without-soul/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [Getting what you want means deciding what youll give up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/getting-what-you-want-means-deciding-what-youll-give-up/) Senoraroy > [A happy life is not the same as a meaningful one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kumar-anupam/a-happy-life-is-not-the-same-as-a-meaningful-one/) [Kumar Anupam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kumar-anupam/) > [Woke up this morning,i'm so grateful and blessed for that,good enough for me,stay inspire and blessed folks!!! Blessings GodisGood Grateful GeminiBaby Teamjojo1980](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-collins-jr/woke-up-this-morning-i-m-so-grateful-and-blessed-for-that-good-enough/) [Joe Collins Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-collins-jr/) > [The key to success is kept in a sphere hidden in plain sight. You see it and absorb it every day. When you need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-concepcion/the-key-to-success-is-kept-in-a-sphere-hidden-in-plain-sight-you-see/) Brian Concepcion > [In the uttermost meaning of the words, thought is devout, and devotion is thought. Deep calls unto deep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-the-uttermost-meaning-of-the-words-thought-is-devout-and-devotion-2/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The role of an artist is to awaken the deep life urge that is already in every person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-mortifee/the-role-of-an-artist-is-to-awaken-the-deep-life-urge-that-is-already/) Ann Mortifee > [How well he fell asleepl Like some proud river, widening toward the sea; Calmly and grandly, silently and deep, Life joined eternity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-taylor-coleridge/how-well-he-fell-asleepl-like-some-proud-river-widening-toward-the/) [Samuel Taylor Coleridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-taylor-coleridge/) > [“Abundance is not a result you create. It is an existing state you recognize. We ask for long life, but 'tis deep life, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/abundance-is-not-a-result-you-create-it-is-an-existing-state-you/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Sometimes you make me feel I am so special but there are times that I feel like I am just nobody that I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/sometimes-you-make-me-feel-i-am-so-special-but-there-are-times-that-i/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [The supreme question about a work of art is out of how deep a life does it spring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/the-supreme-question-about-a-work-of-art-is-out-of-how-deep-a-life/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [When you stumble, pick yourself up! Never wait for someone to pick and get you back to life. After all, you were born alone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/when-you-stumble-pick-yourself-up-never-wait-for-someone-to-pick-and/) Unkown Browse all 124 Deep life quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To know everything is to know nothing, but to know nothing is to know everything.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Confucius" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-everything-is-to-know-nothing-but-to-know-nothing-is-to-know/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Deep life" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-everything-is-to-know-nothing-but-to-know-nothing-is-to-know/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/confucius-164_deep-life_to-know-everything-is-to-know-nothing-bu_3199319.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/confucius-164_deep-life_to-know-everything-is-to-know-nothing-bu_3199319.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9d7/confucius-164_deep-life_to-know-everything-is-to-know-nothing-bu_3199319.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To know everything is to know nothing, but to know nothing is to know everything.” — 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": "To know everything is to know...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-everything-is-to-know-nothing-but-to-know-nothing-is-to-know/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/to-know-everything-is-to-know-nothing-but-to-know-nothing-is-to-know/#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 } } ] } ```