--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You know nothing for sure...except the…" description: "\"You know nothing for sure...except the fact that you know nothing for sure.\" — John F. Kennedy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/john-f-kennedy-246_fact_you-know-nothing-for-sure-except-the-fac_722928.jpg" --- # You know nothing for sure...except the fact that you know… ![“You know nothing for sure...except the fact that you know nothing for sure.” quote by John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/john-f-kennedy-246_fact_you-know-nothing-for-sure-except-the-fac_722928.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/john-f-kennedy-246_fact_you-know-nothing-for-sure-except-the-fac_722928.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/john-f-kennedy-246_fact_you-know-nothing-for-sure-except-the-fac_722928.jpg) > “You know nothing for sure...except the fact that you know nothing for sure.” [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Acknowledges that certainty is impossible; we must accept ignorance while seeking truth. **In simple terms:** We can’t be sure of anything. Key Takeaway Embrace humility and keep questioning. Themes humility knowledge uncertainty Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - academic research - personal decision making - political debate - scientific inquiry Key Concepts epistemology skepticism Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance doubt with confidence? - What steps can you take to learn despite uncertainty? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on doubt can paralyze action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Fact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fact/) [Fact Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fact-know-5678432/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Funny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funny/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know/) [Know Sure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-sure/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Sure Fact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sure-fact-5678433/) [Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understand/) ## Related quotes > [“indeed I know for a fact that you do know, what the fuck kind of questions are you asking me”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-f-moore/indeed-i-know-for-a-fact-that-you-do-know-what-the-fuck-kind-of/) [Michael F. Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-f-moore/) > [“I don't know for sure where I'm going to end up. But I know who I love. And I'm figuring out that might be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-kacvinsky/i-don-t-know-for-sure-where-i-m-going-to-end-up-but-i-know-who-i-love/) [Katie Kacvinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-kacvinsky/) > [“i know for sure,to be a leader i have to be a good reader”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faiz-triumph/i-know-for-sure-to-be-a-leader-i-have-to-be-a-good-reader/) [Faiz Triumph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faiz-triumph/) > [I know for sure that what we dwell on is who we become.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oprah-winfrey/i-know-for-sure-that-what-we-dwell-on-is-who-we-become/) [Oprah Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oprah-winfrey/) > [That's when you know for sure somebody loves you. They figure out what you need and they give it to you - without you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adriana-trigiani/that-s-when-you-know-for-sure-somebody-loves-you-they-figure-out-what/) [Adriana Trigiani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adriana-trigiani/) > [The more I see the less I know for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lennon/the-more-i-see-the-less-i-know-for-sure/) [John Lennon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lennon/) > [“As they say, it’s possible to kill and to revive someone using a proper speech. I agree with the statement because I know for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sahara-sanders/as-they-say-it-s-possible-to-kill-and-to-revive-someone-using-a/) [Sahara Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sahara-sanders/) > [The only thing I know for sure is how much I do not know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/the-only-thing-i-know-for-sure-is-how-much-i-do-not-know/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [Is this really what you wanted is this really what you yeahhhhh even though I dont know you I know for sure I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blessthefall/is-this-really-what-you-wanted-is-this-really-what-you-yeahhhhh-even/) [Blessthefall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blessthefall/) > [It was such a relief to win. You tell yourself you can do it, but until you do you don't know for sure. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-fleetwood/it-was-such-a-relief-to-win-you-tell-yourself-you-can-do-it-but-until/) [Tommy Fleetwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-fleetwood/) > [I don't know about them, but I sure am. I'm out for revenge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-thomason/i-don-t-know-about-them-but-i-sure-am-i-m-out-for-revenge/) [Bob Thomason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-thomason/) > [I have to be true to myself, and that's what I know for sure. I can't try to be anybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-spoelstra/i-have-to-be-true-to-myself-and-that-s-what-i-know-for-sure-i-can-t/) [Erik Spoelstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-spoelstra/) > [That is the first thing I know for sure: (1.) If the questions don't make sense, neither will the answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/that-is-the-first-thing-i-know-for-sure-1-if-the-questions-don-t-make/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [If I don't know something, I'll tell you I don't know it. If I'm not sure about something, I'll say I'm not sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-winston-wolkoff/if-i-don-t-know-something-i-ll-tell-you-i-don-t-know-it-if-i-m-not/) [Stephanie Winston Wolkoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-winston-wolkoff/) > [“You don't have to seduce me, you know. I"m a sure thing." ~Tommy aka "Ender”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-croft/you-don-t-have-to-seduce-me-you-know-i-m-a-sure-thing-tommy-aka-ender/) [Sydney Croft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-croft/) ## More by John F. Kennedy > [“We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/we-shall-pay-any-price-bear-any-burden-meet-any-hardship-support-any/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [We stand today on the edge of a new frontier - the frontier of the 1960's - a frontier of unknown opportunities and perils…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/we-stand-today-on-the-edge-of-a-new-frontier-the-frontier-of-the-1960/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [We will neglect our cities to our peril, for in neglecting them we neglect the nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/we-will-neglect-our-cities-to-our-peril-for-in-neglecting-them-we/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [We must recognize that every nation determines its policies in terms of its own interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/we-must-recognize-that-every-nation-determines-its-policies-in-terms/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Someone always needs rescuing, yet there's only one person who ever seems to understand you. It's a lot like being Lassie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/someone-always-needs-rescuing-yet-there-s-only-one-person-who-ever/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Student loans have been helpful to many. But they offer neither incentive nor assistance to those students who, by reason of family or other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/student-loans-have-been-helpful-to-many-but-they-offer-neither/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Great crises produce great men, and great deeds of courage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/great-crises-produce-great-men-and-great-deeds-of-courage/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [There comes a point where you see no evidence that the carrot and diplomacy are working.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/there-comes-a-point-where-you-see-no-evidence-that-the-carrot-and/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Suspicion on one side breeds suspicion on the other, and new weapons beget counter-weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/suspicion-on-one-side-breeds-suspicion-on-the-other-and-new-weapons/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [We have some of the most influential Members of Congress here today, and I do hope that we can get this appropriation for these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/we-have-some-of-the-most-influential-members-of-congress-here-today/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Disarmament without checks is but a shadow - and a community without law is but a shell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/disarmament-without-checks-is-but-a-shadow-and-a-community-without/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [This is one country. It has become one country because all of us and all the people who came here had an equal chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/this-is-one-country-it-has-become-one-country-because-all-of-us-and/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [“The courage of life is often a less dramatic spectacle than the courage of a final moment; but it is no less a magnificent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-courage-of-life-is-often-a-less-dramatic-spectacle-than-the/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Washington is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/washington-is-a-city-of-southern-efficiency-and-northern-charm/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Peace does not rest in the charters and covenants alone. It lies in the hearts and minds of all people. So let us not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/peace-does-not-rest-in-the-charters-and-covenants-alone-it-lies-in/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) [Explore all 824 John F. Kennedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) ## More Fact quotes > [The shelves of many evangelicals are full of books that point out the flaws in evolution, discuss it only as a theory, and almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-collins/the-shelves-of-many-evangelicals-are-full-of-books-that-point-out-the/) [Francis Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-collins/) > [Maybe there's some kind of modeling that can be tedious, like catalogue modeling, but there's a kind of modeling, with runways or working with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabella-rossellini/maybe-there-s-some-kind-of-modeling-that-can-be-tedious-like/) [Isabella Rossellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabella-rossellini/) > [“Religion, like science, is only noteworthy when it emphasizes a matter of what is true rather than whose belief is greater or lesser or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/religion-like-science-is-only-noteworthy-when-it-emphasizes-a-matter/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [There is no science without fancy and no art without fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-nabokov/there-is-no-science-without-fancy-and-no-art-without-fact/) [Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-nabokov/) > [You basically have a group of four spies who are chosen for a mission they feel for the fact of how competent they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-leblanc/you-basically-have-a-group-of-four-spies-who-are-chosen-for-a-mission/) [Matt LeBlanc](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-leblanc/) > [I'm not an artist, and I want to take risks, and when the possibility of failure occurs, it's because the idea is all exciting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-morgan/i-m-not-an-artist-and-i-want-to-take-risks-and-when-the-possibility/) [Peter Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-morgan/) > [Two elements are needed to form a truth - a fact and an abstraction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remy-de-gourmont/two-elements-are-needed-to-form-a-truth-a-fact-and-an-abstraction/) [Remy de Gourmont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remy-de-gourmont/) > [I'm just, like, totally normal. The fact that any of this has happened, that we're sitting here at the Beverly Hills Hotel just gets…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwen-stefani/i-m-just-like-totally-normal-the-fact-that-any-of-this-has-happened/) [Gwen Stefani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwen-stefani/) > [“The fact that I can get away with something is the very reason why I shouldn’t do it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/the-fact-that-i-can-get-away-with-something-is-the-very-reason-why-i/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [I'm a fact-based leader.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-breed/i-m-a-fact-based-leader/) [London Breed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-breed/) > [The fact of the matter is that the Internet has brought together millions of people who trust one another for reasons that are unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-huh/the-fact-of-the-matter-is-that-the-internet-has-brought-together/) [Ben Huh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-huh/) > [As human beings, we aren't as individual as we'd like to believe we are. And I think that's what makes acting possible. Despite the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lupita-nyong-o/as-human-beings-we-aren-t-as-individual-as-we-d-like-to-believe-we/) [Lupita Nyong'o](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lupita-nyong-o/) > [I suppose I'm led to do so by the fact of what happened to my contemporaries - people whom I've admired, people who I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-woodcock/i-suppose-i-m-led-to-do-so-by-the-fact-of-what-happened-to-my/) [George Woodcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-woodcock/) > [Any fact becomes important when it's connected to another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umberto-eco/any-fact-becomes-important-when-it-s-connected-to-another/) [Umberto Eco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umberto-eco/) > [The fact that I'm very close with my past relationships is something I pride myself on. My mom is still close to her first…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-bosworth/the-fact-that-i-m-very-close-with-my-past-relationships-is-something/) [Kate Bosworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-bosworth/) [Browse all 2,571 Fact quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fact/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You know nothing for sure...except the fact that you know nothing for sure.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John F. Kennedy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/you-know-nothing-for-sure-except-the-fact-that-you-know-nothing-for/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fact" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/you-know-nothing-for-sure-except-the-fact-that-you-know-nothing-for/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/john-f-kennedy-246_fact_you-know-nothing-for-sure-except-the-fac_722928.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/john-f-kennedy-246_fact_you-know-nothing-for-sure-except-the-fac_722928.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bfc/john-f-kennedy-246_fact_you-know-nothing-for-sure-except-the-fac_722928.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You know nothing for sure...except the fact that you know nothing for sure.” — John F. Kennedy", "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": "John F. Kennedy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You know nothing for sure...except the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/you-know-nothing-for-sure-except-the-fact-that-you-know-nothing-for/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/you-know-nothing-for-sure-except-the-fact-that-you-know-nothing-for/#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 } } ] } ```