--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We know nothing in reality; for truth…" description: "\"We know nothing in reality; for truth lies in an abyss.\" — Democritus" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a99/democritus-4814_abyss_we-know-nothing-in-reality-for-truth-lie_2393557.png" --- # We know nothing in reality; for truth lies in an abyss. ![“We know nothing in reality; for truth lies in an abyss.” quote by Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a99/democritus-4814_abyss_we-know-nothing-in-reality-for-truth-lie_2393557.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a99/democritus-4814_abyss_we-know-nothing-in-reality-for-truth-lie_2393557.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a99/democritus-4814_abyss_we-know-nothing-in-reality-for-truth-lie_2393557.png) > “We know nothing in reality; for truth lies in an abyss.” [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our knowledge of reality is limited; truth lies beyond our grasp, hidden in an abyss of uncertainty. **In simple terms:** Truth is elusive. Key Takeaway Accept uncertainty and keep questioning. Themes philosophy epistemology truth Mood thoughtful curious Type inspirational critical When to use this quote - scientific research - philosophical inquiry - spiritual contemplation Key Concepts ignorance infinite mystery Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions do you hold about reality? - How does embracing uncertainty affect your decisions? A Different Perspective Absolute certainty is unattainable. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abyss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abyss/) [Know Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-reality/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Lies Abyss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lies-abyss-5969638/) [Lying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lying/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Reality Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality-truth-259372/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-lies/) ## Related quotes > [Men in the mirror consolidate the reality that truth and lies co-exist. - Mwando, Gift Tawanda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mwando-gift-tawanda/men-in-the-mirror-consolidate-the-reality-that-truth-and-lies-co/) [Mwando Gift Tawanda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mwando-gift-tawanda/) > [The truth lies in between the 1st and the 40th drink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tori-amos/the-truth-lies-in-between-the-1st-and-the-40th-drink/) [Tori Amos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tori-amos/) > [“Perception is reality.. Perhaps.. But reality is not always the "truth".”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamed-ibrahim/perception-is-reality-perhaps-but-reality-is-not-always-the-truth/) [Mohamed Ibrahim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamed-ibrahim/) > [“She would say that we create our own reality-that the truth, ultimately, is what we choose to believe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/curtis-sittenfeld/she-would-say-that-we-create-our-own-reality-that-the-truth/) [Curtis Sittenfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/curtis-sittenfeld/) > [You owe reality nothing and the truth about your feelings everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hugo/you-owe-reality-nothing-and-the-truth-about-your-feelings-everything/) [Richard Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hugo/) > [If 'truth' is an 'unveiled reality,' then my truth may not be your truth yet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evinda-lepins/if-truth-is-an-unveiled-reality-then-my-truth-may-not-be-your-truth/) [Evinda Lepins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evinda-lepins/) > [A thriller becomes great when it carries a feeling of reality and truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-morrell/a-thriller-becomes-great-when-it-carries-a-feeling-of-reality-and/) [David Morrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-morrell/) > [“One reality and truth about life is that either you suffer now and become successful in the future... Or do what it pleases you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/onipede-ayomide/one-reality-and-truth-about-life-is-that-either-you-suffer-now-and/) [Onipede Ayomide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/onipede-ayomide/) > [“Reality, in truth is … what is the word? Reality is ironic .”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-roberts/reality-in-truth-is-what-is-the-word-reality-is-ironic/) [Adam Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-roberts/) > [“Objective Reality and Truth requires neither ones consent nor dissent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-alan-woods/objective-reality-and-truth-requires-neither-ones-consent-nor-dissent/) [R. Alan Woods](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-alan-woods/) > [Reality (i.e., the truth) is that there is a God in heaven. Reality is that He made us and we are accountable to Him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-berg/reality-i-e-the-truth-is-that-there-is-a-god-in-heaven-reality-is/) [Jim Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-berg/) > [Perception is one millionth of one percent reality (truth in fact).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/perception-is-one-millionth-of-one-percent-reality-truth-in-fact/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [Man keeps looking for a truth that fits his reality. Given our reality, the truth doesn't fit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-erhard/man-keeps-looking-for-a-truth-that-fits-his-reality-given-our-reality/) [Werner Erhard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-erhard/) > [“Truth is always about something, but reality is that about which truth is".”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cs-lewis/truth-is-always-about-something-but-reality-is-that-about-which-truth/) [CS Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cs-lewis/) > [The reality of truth here in today's era demon lies have become so strong that the truth is becoming difficult to prove their existence.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mak-786/the-reality-of-truth-here-in-today-s-era-demon-lies-have-become-so/) [Mak\_786](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mak-786/) ## More by Democritus > [If your desires are not great, a little will seem much to you; for small appetite makes poverty equivalent to wealth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/if-your-desires-are-not-great-a-little-will-seem-much-to-you-for/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Men will cease to be fools only when they cease to be men.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/men-will-cease-to-be-fools-only-when-they-cease-to-be-men/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Nothing exists but atoms and the void.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/nothing-exists-but-atoms-and-the-void/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [If thou suffer injustice, console thyself; the true unhappiness is in doing it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/if-thou-suffer-injustice-console-thyself-the-true-unhappiness-is-in/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Men have made an idol of luck as an excuse for their own thoughtlessness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/men-have-made-an-idol-of-luck-as-an-excuse-for-their-own/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [By desiring little, a poor man makes himself rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/by-desiring-little-a-poor-man-makes-himself-rich/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [People sometimes rationalize their greed by saying that it is all for the good of their children but this is nothing but an excuse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/people-sometimes-rationalize-their-greed-by-saying-that-it-is-all-for/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Beautiful objects are wrought by study through effort, but ugly things are reaped automatically without toil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/beautiful-objects-are-wrought-by-study-through-effort-but-ugly-things/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Nature and education are somewhat similar. The latter transforms man, and in so doing creates a second nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/nature-and-education-are-somewhat-similar-the-latter-transforms-man/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [The wise man’s home is the universe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/the-wise-man-s-home-is-the-universe/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [“Accept nothing pleasant unless it is beneficial.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/accept-nothing-pleasant-unless-it-is-beneficial/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Raising children is an uncertain thing; success is reached only after a life of battle and worry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/raising-children-is-an-uncertain-thing-success-is-reached-only-after/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Nature . . . has buried truth deep in the bottom of the sea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/nature-has-buried-truth-deep-in-the-bottom-of-the-sea/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [More men have become great through practice than by nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/more-men-have-become-great-through-practice-than-by-nature/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) > [Happiness resides not in possessions and not in golds; the feeling of happiness dwells in the soul. Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/happiness-resides-not-in-possessions-and-not-in-golds-the-feeling-of/) [Democritus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) [Explore all 106 Democritus quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/) ## More Abyss quotes > [We never think that our mothers will die. It was like suddenly an abyss opened at my feet - I was standing on nothing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-okri/we-never-think-that-our-mothers-will-die-it-was-like-suddenly-an/) [Ben Okri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-okri/) > [Early on a difficult climb, especially a solo climb, you’re hyper-aware of the abyss pulling at your back, constantly feeling its call, its immense…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-krakauer/early-on-a-difficult-climb-especially-a-solo-climb-you-re-hyper-aware/) [Jon Krakauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-krakauer/) > [“The whole organization seemed to be in free fall, indulging in a collective fantasy in which experienced colleagues refused to admit that their every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-whole-organization-seemed-to-be-in-free-fall-indulging-in-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Adam became so proud that he wished to become God and died for his pride; the Son of God humbled Himself unto death, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-of-kronstadt/adam-became-so-proud-that-he-wished-to-become-god-and-died-for-his/) [John of Kronstadt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-of-kronstadt/) > [The cradle rocks above an abyss, and common sense tells us that our existence is but a brief crack of light between two eternities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-nabokov/the-cradle-rocks-above-an-abyss-and-common-sense-tells-us-that-our/) [Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-nabokov/) > [In the end things must be as they are and have always been--the great things remain for the great, the abysses for the profound,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-the-end-things-must-be-as-they-are-and-have-always-been-the-great/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [I admire the Elsie Tanners and Barbara Windsors of the world: people who have crawled back from the abyss. I'm quite camp in that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-eclair/i-admire-the-elsie-tanners-and-barbara-windsors-of-the-world-people/) [Jenny Eclair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-eclair/) > [I've been to unpretty places with the roles I've played, and I'm attracted to reckless abandon. I like being taken to the edge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhys-ifans/i-ve-been-to-unpretty-places-with-the-roles-i-ve-played-and-i-m/) [Rhys Ifans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhys-ifans/) > [I look into my heart and see the abyss looking back at me.' 'I won't let you fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nalini-singh/i-look-into-my-heart-and-see-the-abyss-looking-back-at-me-i-won-t-let/) [Nalini Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nalini-singh/) > [There is no drop of water in the ocean, not even in the deepest parts of the abyss, that does not know and respond…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-carson/there-is-no-drop-of-water-in-the-ocean-not-even-in-the-deepest-parts/) [Rachel Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-carson/) > [“But first whom shall we send In search of this new world, whom shall we find Sufficient? Who shall tempt, with wand'ring feet The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/but-first-whom-shall-we-send-in-search-of-this-new-world-whom-shall/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Many women don’t know what orgasm is. Many men don’t know was total orgasm is. Many only achieve a local orgasm, a genital orgasm;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/many-women-don-t-know-what-orgasm-is-many-men-don-t-know-was-total/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Fear not. For fear itself is fed by fear, and all fears pass. Did no one tell you so? Come take my hand, my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-dennis/fear-not-for-fear-itself-is-fed-by-fear-and-all-fears-pass-did-no-one/) [Felix Dennis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-dennis/) > [God gave the sea the danger and the abyss, but it was in it that He mirrored the sky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fernando-pessoa/god-gave-the-sea-the-danger-and-the-abyss-but-it-was-in-it-that-he/) [Fernando Pessoa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fernando-pessoa/) > [We belong to an age where apocalypse is our daily bread, coffee's black, and we know we're part of the abyss. Red Spider White…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-aldiss/we-belong-to-an-age-where-apocalypse-is-our-daily-bread-coffee-s/) [Brian Aldiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-aldiss/) [Browse all 625 Abyss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abyss/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We know nothing in reality; for truth lies in an abyss.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Democritus" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/we-know-nothing-in-reality-for-truth-lies-in-an-abyss/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abyss" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/we-know-nothing-in-reality-for-truth-lies-in-an-abyss/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a99/democritus-4814_abyss_we-know-nothing-in-reality-for-truth-lie_2393557.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a99/democritus-4814_abyss_we-know-nothing-in-reality-for-truth-lie_2393557.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a99/democritus-4814_abyss_we-know-nothing-in-reality-for-truth-lie_2393557.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We know nothing in reality; for truth lies in an abyss.” — Democritus", "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": "Democritus", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/democritus/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We know nothing in reality; for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/we-know-nothing-in-reality-for-truth-lies-in-an-abyss/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/democritus/we-know-nothing-in-reality-for-truth-lies-in-an-abyss/#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 } } ] } ```