--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We have to be more modest in what we claim." description: "\"We have to be more modest in what we claim.\" — Kenneth Arrow" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/848/kenneth-arrow-14948_claim_we-have-to-be-more-modest-in-what-we-cla_2560364.jpg" --- # We have to be more modest in what we claim. ![“We have to be more modest in what we claim.” quote by Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/848/kenneth-arrow-14948_claim_we-have-to-be-more-modest-in-what-we-cla_2560364.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/848/kenneth-arrow-14948_claim_we-have-to-be-more-modest-in-what-we-cla_2560364.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/848/kenneth-arrow-14948_claim_we-have-to-be-more-modest-in-what-we-cla_2560364.jpg) > “We have to be more modest in what we claim.” [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates humility in claims, recognizing limits of knowledge. **In simple terms:** Be modest about what you claim. Key Takeaway Check your assumptions before asserting. Themes humility knowledge communication Mood thoughtful cautious Type advisory philosophical When to use this quote - academic presentations - policy debates - media interviews Key Concepts epistemic modesty risk management Questions to Reflect On - How do you verify the accuracy of your statements? - When should you qualify your claims? A Different Perspective Overconfidence can undermine credibility. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Claim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claim/) [Claims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claims/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Modest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modest/) [Modest Claim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modest-claim-1600318/) ## Related quotes > [If ever my life can be of any use to you, come and claim it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/if-ever-my-life-can-be-of-any-use-to-you-come-and-claim-it/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [If we love the sea as much as we claim to we'll do everything we possibly can to keep it healthy. Otherwise we might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-winton/if-we-love-the-sea-as-much-as-we-claim-to-we-ll-do-everything-we/) [Tim Winton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-winton/) > [If God exists, how can we lay claim to freedom, since He is its beginning and its end?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/if-god-exists-how-can-we-lay-claim-to-freedom-since-he-is-its/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Fortune or fame, you must pick one or the other, though neither of them are to be what they claim.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-dylan/fortune-or-fame-you-must-pick-one-or-the-other-though-neither-of-them/) [Bob Dylan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-dylan/) > [Yet the success of plans and the advantage to be derived from them do not at all times agree, seeing the gods claim to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ammianus-marcellinus/yet-the-success-of-plans-and-the-advantage-to-be-derived-from-them-do/) [Ammianus Marcellinus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ammianus-marcellinus/) > [If You Don’t Claim Your Humanity, You Will Become A Statistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/if-you-don-t-claim-your-humanity-you-will-become-a-statistic/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [We ought always to beware of making the smallest claim for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/we-ought-always-to-beware-of-making-the-smallest-claim-for-ourselves/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [Democracy works when people claim it as their own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-moyers/democracy-works-when-people-claim-it-as-their-own/) [Bill Moyers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-moyers/) > [First of all, I can't really claim to be a great chef.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-yan/first-of-all-i-can-t-really-claim-to-be-a-great-chef/) [Martin Yan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-yan/) > [No one holds command over me. No Man. No God. No King. No Prince. What is a claim of age? For ones who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-one-holds-command-over-me-no-man-no-god-no-king-no-prince-what-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I claim there ain't Another Saint As great as Valentine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/i-claim-there-ain-t-another-saint-as-great-as-valentine/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [When you claim to have the truth, as opposed to the truth as you perceive it, then you move us toward a theocratic view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-robinson/when-you-claim-to-have-the-truth-as-opposed-to-the-truth-as-you/) [Gene Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-robinson/) > [You have to name it to claim it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-have-to-name-it-to-claim-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You can't make a representation and then claim you didn't make it. You know, it just shouldn't work that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judd-gregg/you-can-t-make-a-representation-and-then-claim-you-didn-t-make-it-you/) [Judd Gregg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judd-gregg/) > [Mere bashfulness without merit is awkward; and merit without modesty, insolent. But modest merit has a double claim to acceptance, and generally meets with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/mere-bashfulness-without-merit-is-awkward-and-merit-without-modesty/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) ## More by Kenneth Arrow > [The health care provisions are presumably for individuals. And whoever pays for them, whether it's paid by the individual, state, whatever, the value is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/the-health-care-provisions-are-presumably-for-individuals-and-whoever/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [From the time I first understood economic principles, I was always concerned also that any system be operated on an efficient basis, which meant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/from-the-time-i-first-understood-economic-principles-i-was-always/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [Knowledge is a free good. The biggest cost in its transmission is not in the production or distribution of knowledge, but in its assimilation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/knowledge-is-a-free-good-the-biggest-cost-in-its-transmission-is-not/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [Family is a difficult matter. I must admit I do not know that the state can intervene successfully in a family. It's a fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/family-is-a-difficult-matter-i-must-admit-i-do-not-know-that-the/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [The MD is well aware that the forecasts are no good but he needs them for planning purposes ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/the-md-is-well-aware-that-the-forecasts-are-no-good-but-he-needs-them/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [The trouble is that the risks that are being hedged very well by new financial securities are financial risks. And it appears to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/the-trouble-is-that-the-risks-that-are-being-hedged-very-well-by-new/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [One way of looking at Impossibility Theorem is that we proposed some criteria for what a good system should be: what is it you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/one-way-of-looking-at-impossibility-theorem-is-that-we-proposed-some/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [Vast ills have followed a belief in certainty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/vast-ills-have-followed-a-belief-in-certainty/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [In The United States, the only real change I know has been Instant Runoff, which is usually applied to municipal elections. I see no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/in-the-united-states-the-only-real-change-i-know-has-been-instant/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [I do sense, as compared with let's say the early '50s, there's somewhat more of a careerism. I don't think it's anything special to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/i-do-sense-as-compared-with-let-s-say-the-early-50s-there-s-somewhat/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [The switch to the market in Eastern Europe, of course, has not exactly been one of the greatest advertisements for the market. There's no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/the-switch-to-the-market-in-eastern-europe-of-course-has-not-exactly/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [I think the development of the venture capital system has been an example of something which is a successful improvement in risk-bearing. It doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/i-think-the-development-of-the-venture-capital-system-has-been-an/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [I think the idea that a society has to be responsible for all of its citizens, those who do well and those who do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/i-think-the-idea-that-a-society-has-to-be-responsible-for-all-of-its/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [Now virtue may not always be its own reward, but in any case it is not usually bought and paid for at market rates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/now-virtue-may-not-always-be-its-own-reward-but-in-any-case-it-is-not/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) > [The general uncertainty about the prospects of medical treatment is socially handled by rigid entry requirements. These are designed to reduce the uncertainty in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/the-general-uncertainty-about-the-prospects-of-medical-treatment-is/) [Kenneth Arrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) [Explore all 44 Kenneth Arrow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/) ## More Claim quotes > [I don't claim 2 be perfect, but whatever I do is more then it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-don-t-claim-2-be-perfect-but-whatever-i-do-is-more-then-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [That FRIEND who claim they do anything for you. but yet talk behind your back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kushsoulja/that-friend-who-claim-they-do-anything-for-you-but-yet-talk-behind/) [KushSoulja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kushsoulja/) > [Extremist perspectives win sympathy and recruits because they offer narratives that claim to identify deep injustices and enemies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-gahr-store/extremist-perspectives-win-sympathy-and-recruits-because-they-offer/) [Jonas Gahr Store](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-gahr-store/) > [If ever my life can be of any use to you, come and claim it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/if-ever-my-life-can-be-of-any-use-to-you-come-and-claim-it/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [When scientists are asked what they are working on, their response is seldom 'Finding the origin of the universe' or 'Seeking to cure cancer.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-rees/when-scientists-are-asked-what-they-are-working-on-their-response-is/) [Martin Rees](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-rees/) > [The claim of the State Socialists, however, that this right would not be exercised in matters pertaining to the individual in the more intimate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-tucker/the-claim-of-the-state-socialists-however-that-this-right-would-not/) [Benjamin Tucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-tucker/) > [I don't claim to be a good woman, but I do claim to be good at being a woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne/i-don-t-claim-to-be-a-good-woman-but-i-do-claim-to-be-good-at-being-a/) [Suzanne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne/) > [“Who among us can claim normalcy, Bishop?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-marusek/who-among-us-can-claim-normalcy-bishop/) [David Marusek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-marusek/) > [You have to name it to claim it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-have-to-name-it-to-claim-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I personally claim no special insight into Satan's methods, but I have at times been able to identify his influence and his actions in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-faust/i-personally-claim-no-special-insight-into-satan-s-methods-but-i-have/) [James E. Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-faust/) > [“Their hands clasped between them, he whispered into her ear, "I claim you, too, Aelin Galathynius.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/their-hands-clasped-between-them-he-whispered-into-her-ear-i-claim/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [When you claim to have the truth, as opposed to the truth as you perceive it, then you move us toward a theocratic view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-robinson/when-you-claim-to-have-the-truth-as-opposed-to-the-truth-as-you/) [Gene Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-robinson/) > [I don't claim to be the best boxer in the world. What I claim to do is give 100% when I get in that ring.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-bellew/i-don-t-claim-to-be-the-best-boxer-in-the-world-what-i-claim-to-do-is/) [Tony Bellew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-bellew/) > [“What did it take to claim a person, really? One perfect night? A few weeks of phone calls, hundreds of texts, all of them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/what-did-it-take-to-claim-a-person-really-one-perfect-night-a-few/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [No One Else Is Responsible For You. You Are In Full Control Of Your Life So Long As You Claim It And Own It...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/no-one-else-is-responsible-for-you-you-are-in-full-control-of-your/) [Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/) [Browse all 447 Claim quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/claim/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We have to be more modest in what we claim.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Kenneth Arrow" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/we-have-to-be-more-modest-in-what-we-claim/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Claim" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/we-have-to-be-more-modest-in-what-we-claim/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/848/kenneth-arrow-14948_claim_we-have-to-be-more-modest-in-what-we-cla_2560364.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/848/kenneth-arrow-14948_claim_we-have-to-be-more-modest-in-what-we-cla_2560364.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/848/kenneth-arrow-14948_claim_we-have-to-be-more-modest-in-what-we-cla_2560364.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We have to be more modest in what we claim.” — Kenneth Arrow", "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": "Kenneth Arrow", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-arrow/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We have to be more modest...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/we-have-to-be-more-modest-in-what-we-claim/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-arrow/we-have-to-be-more-modest-in-what-we-claim/#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 } } ] } ```