Ignorance Quote by Idries Shah
“There is a Persian proverb: 'To test that which has been tested is ignorance.' To try to test something without the means of testing is even worse.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Book of the Dead, 1960 (collection of Persian proverbs)
Testing something already proven shows ignorance; attempting to test without proper tools shows even greater folly.
In simple terms: Testing known things is foolish; testing without means is worse.
Key Takeaway
Avoid redundant testing and ensure you have proper means.
Themes
wisdom
critical thinking
methodology
humility
Mood
cautious
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- software debugging
- policy analysis
- personal decision‑making
Key Concepts
epistemology
logic
risk assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it appropriate to retest established ideas?
- How do you ensure you have adequate tools before testing?
A Different Perspective
The proverb may discourage necessary verification in evolving contexts.
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