Knowledge Quote by Donald Rumsfeld
““Reports that say that something hasn't happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns- the ones we don't know we don't know.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Press briefing, 2002
We categorize knowledge into known knowns, known unknowns, and unknown unknowns, highlighting uncertainty in decision‑making.
In simple terms: We know what we know and don’t.
Key Takeaway
Embrace uncertainty.
Themes
knowledge
uncertainty
decisionmaking
risk
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
philosophical
strategic
When to use this quote
- Military intelligence
- business risk assessment
- scientific research
Key Concepts
Epistemology
information theory
strategic planning
Questions to Reflect On
- How to identify hidden risks?
- What methods reduce unknowns?
A Different Perspective
Unknown unknowns can never be fully prepared for.
![“I never knew any man who had once tasted the sweetness of experimental knowledge, that ever afterward fasted after ye Vapour garlick and onions of phantasmatical seeming philosophy." [William Petty]” quote by Carl Zimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e5a/carl-zimmer-16331_knowledge_i-never-knew-any-man-who-had-once-tasted_1770.jpg)
