--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Timidity betrays want of powers, and…" description: "\"Timidity betrays want of powers, and audacity a want of skill. There are, indeed, two things, knowledge and opinion, of which the one makes its possess..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96e/hippocrates-2237_audacity_timidity-betrays-want-of-powers-and-auda_407772.jpg" --- # Timidity betrays want of powers, and audacity a want of… ![“Timidity betrays want of powers, and audacity a want of skill. There are, indeed, two things, knowledge and opinion, of which the one makes its possessor really to know, the other to be ignorant.” quote by Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96e/hippocrates-2237_audacity_timidity-betrays-want-of-powers-and-auda_407772.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96e/hippocrates-2237_audacity_timidity-betrays-want-of-powers-and-auda_407772.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/96e/hippocrates-2237_audacity_timidity-betrays-want-of-powers-and-auda_407772.jpg) > “Timidity betrays want of powers, and audacity a want of skill. There are, indeed, two things, knowledge and opinion, of which the one makes its possessor really to know, the other to be ignorant.” [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Distinguishes true knowledge from mere opinion, linking courage to skill and humility to learning. **In simple terms:** Know the difference between knowledge and opinion. Key Takeaway Seek true understanding, not just confidence. Themes knowledge humility courage Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - education - leadership decisionsdecision‑making - personal growth Key Concepts epistemology personal development Questions to Reflect On - How do you test your beliefs for truth? - When does confidence become arrogance? A Different Perspective Overconfidence can mask ignorance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Audacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audacity/) [Betray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/betray/) [Ignorant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorant/) [Know Ignorant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-ignorant-494626/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Opinion Makes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion-makes-1114619/) [Skills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skills/) [Timidity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/timidity/) [Timidity Betrays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/timidity-betrays-3642182/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Two things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two-things/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [Mistakes you commit through audacity are easily corrected with more audacity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/mistakes-you-commit-through-audacity-are-easily-corrected-with-more/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [Given the same amount of intelligence, timidity will do a thousand times more damage than audacity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/given-the-same-amount-of-intelligence-timidity-will-do-a-thousand/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [If you are unsure of a course of action, do not attempt it. Your doubts and hesitations will infect your execution. Timidity is dangerous:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-greene/if-you-are-unsure-of-a-course-of-action-do-not-attempt-it-your-doubts/) [Robert Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-greene/) > [Tis not necessity, but opinion, that makes men miserable; and when we come to be fancy-sick, there's no cure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-l-estrange/tis-not-necessity-but-opinion-that-makes-men-miserable-and-when-we/) [Roger L'Estrange](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-l-estrange/) > [Everybody's got opinions. Everybody's entitled to an opinion. That's what makes this country great. It's nothing wrong with that. We just believe there's a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tomlin/everybody-s-got-opinions-everybody-s-entitled-to-an-opinion-that-s/) [Mike Tomlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tomlin/) > [It is not best that we should all think alike; it is a difference of opinion that makes horse races.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/it-is-not-best-that-we-should-all-think-alike-it-is-a-difference-of/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [A difference of opinion is what makes horse racing and missionaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-rogers/a-difference-of-opinion-is-what-makes-horse-racing-and-missionaries/) [Will Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-rogers/) > [Everything is as good or bad as our opinion makes it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everything-is-as-good-or-bad-as-our-opinion-makes-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Force rules the world-not opinion; but it is opinion that makes use of force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/force-rules-the-world-not-opinion-but-it-is-opinion-that-makes-use-of/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [It were not best that we should all think alike; it is difference of opinion that makes horse races.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/it-were-not-best-that-we-should-all-think-alike-it-is-difference-of/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Force rules the world, and not opinion; but opinion is that which makes use of force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/force-rules-the-world-and-not-opinion-but-opinion-is-that-which-makes/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [If I didnt care about your opinion before what makes you think I care now?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-didnt-care-about-your-opinion-before-what-makes-you-think-i-care/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There are objective people, there are opinion people, and in my opinion that makes for a better America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jedediah-bila/there-are-objective-people-there-are-opinion-people-and-in-my-opinion/) [Jedediah Bila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jedediah-bila/) > [Of course, the more you read, the more you learn, and ultimately there is more information than you can ever use. The difficulty is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paolo-bacigalupi/of-course-the-more-you-read-the-more-you-learn-and-ultimately-there/) [Paolo Bacigalupi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paolo-bacigalupi/) > [The trouble with modern education is you never know how ignorant they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/the-trouble-with-modern-education-is-you-never-know-how-ignorant-they/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) ## More by Hippocrates > [Men ought to know that from nothing else but the brain come joys, delights, laughter and sports, and sorrows, griefs, despondency, and lamentations. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/men-ought-to-know-that-from-nothing-else-but-the-brain-come-joys/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [But medicine has long had all its means to hand, and has discovered both a principle and a method, through which the discoveries made…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/but-medicine-has-long-had-all-its-means-to-hand-and-has-discovered/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [The dignity of a physician requires that he should look healthy, and as plump as nature intended him to be; for the common crowd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/the-dignity-of-a-physician-requires-that-he-should-look-healthy-and/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [I will follow that system of regimen which, according to my ability and judgment, I consider for the benefit of my patients, and abstain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/i-will-follow-that-system-of-regimen-which-according-to-my-ability/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [There are in fact two things, science and opinion. The former begets knowledge, the latter ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/there-are-in-fact-two-things-science-and-opinion-the-former-begets/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [The soul is the same in all living creatures, although the body of each is different.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/the-soul-is-the-same-in-all-living-creatures-although-the-body-of/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [Everyone has a doctor in him or her; we just have to help it in its work. The natural healing force within each one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/everyone-has-a-doctor-in-him-or-her-we-just-have-to-help-it-in-its/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [Sleep and watchfulness, both of them, when immoderate, constitute disease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/sleep-and-watchfulness-both-of-them-when-immoderate-constitute-disease/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [War is the only proper school of the surgeon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/war-is-the-only-proper-school-of-the-surgeon/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [All diseases begin in the gut.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/all-diseases-begin-in-the-gut/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [Each of the substances of a man's diet acts upon his body and changes it in some way and upon these changes his whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/each-of-the-substances-of-a-man-s-diet-acts-upon-his-body-and-changes/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [Medicine in its present state is, it seems to me, by now completely discovered, insofar as it teaches in each instance the particular details…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/medicine-in-its-present-state-is-it-seems-to-me-by-now-completely/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [Things that are holy are revealed only to men who are holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/things-that-are-holy-are-revealed-only-to-men-who-are-holy/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [A sensible man ought to think about that well being is the best of human blessings, and find out how by his personal thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/a-sensible-man-ought-to-think-about-that-well-being-is-the-best-of/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) > [Whoever wishes to investigate medicine should proceed thus: In the first place, consider the seasons of the year and what effect each of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hippocrates/whoever-wishes-to-investigate-medicine-should-proceed-thus-in-the/) [Hippocrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) [Explore all 177 Hippocrates quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hippocrates/) ## More Audacity quotes > [All too often, it is audacity and not talent that moves an artist to center stage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-cameron/all-too-often-it-is-audacity-and-not-talent-that-moves-an-artist-to/) [Julia Cameron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-cameron/) > [“Between an Error and a Lie, there are Worlds – an Error is an unintended Mistake, a Lie is an intentional Audacity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sino-melo/between-an-error-and-a-lie-there-are-worlds-an-error-is-an-unintended/) [Sino Melo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sino-melo/) > [Few men realize that their life, the very essence of their character, their capabilities and their audacities, are only the expression of their belief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-conrad/few-men-realize-that-their-life-the-very-essence-of-their-character/) [Joseph Conrad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-conrad/) > [To reinvent your own country you need a great audacity of hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-rgen-moltmann/to-reinvent-your-own-country-you-need-a-great-audacity-of-hope/) [Jürgen Moltmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-rgen-moltmann/) > [“She was fierce in the presence of death, heroic even, as she was at no other time. Its threat gave her direction, clarity, audacity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toni-morrison/she-was-fierce-in-the-presence-of-death-heroic-even-as-she-was-at-no/) [Toni Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toni-morrison/) > [What price would God demand from the churches for having the audacity to lighten the color of his son's skin, and straighten out his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-gregory/what-price-would-god-demand-from-the-churches-for-having-the-audacity/) [Dick Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-gregory/) > [Anything can happen: anything. Or nothing. Who can say? The world, monstrous, is made that way, and in the end consumes us all. Who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-evenson/anything-can-happen-anything-or-nothing-who-can-say-the-world/) [Brian Evenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-evenson/) > [“How can you have memories if you don't have the audacity to create them?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendy-wunder/how-can-you-have-memories-if-you-don-t-have-the-audacity-to-create/) [Wendy Wunder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendy-wunder/) > [“The audacity of my sagacity is instrumentality to my successity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ifeanyi-enoch-onuoha/the-audacity-of-my-sagacity-is-instrumentality-to-my-successity/) [Ifeanyi Enoch Onuoha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ifeanyi-enoch-onuoha/) > [“I had artistic classical training, and when you learn the classics for so many years, you might gain audacity, power and confidence to subvert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nuno-roque/i-had-artistic-classical-training-and-when-you-learn-the-classics-for/) [Nuno Roque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nuno-roque/) > [God beckons storm clouds and they come. He tells the wind to blow and the rain to fall, and they obey immediately. He speaks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-platt/god-beckons-storm-clouds-and-they-come-he-tells-the-wind-to-blow-and/) [David Platt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-platt/) > [Hypocrisy is the audacity to preach integrity from a den of corruption.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wes-fesler/hypocrisy-is-the-audacity-to-preach-integrity-from-a-den-of-corruption/) [Wes Fesler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wes-fesler/) > [I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/i-have-the-audacity-to-believe-that-peoples-everywhere-can-have-three/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [The difference between a vision and a daydream is the audacity to act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-furtick/the-difference-between-a-vision-and-a-daydream-is-the-audacity-to-act/) [Steven Furtick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-furtick/) > [“Whether personal or organizational, building capacity to effectively deal with change creates resilience, and without exceptional resilience there is no antifragility.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-spitz/whether-personal-or-organizational-building-capacity-to-effectively/) [Roger Spitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-spitz/) [Browse all 193 Audacity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/audacity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Timidity betrays want of powers, and audacity a want of skill. 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