Conjecture Quote by Lord Chesterfield
“Our conjectures pass upon us for truths; we will know what we do not know, and often, what we cannot know: so mortifying to our pride is the base suspicion of ignorance.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Letters to His Son, 1745
We often mistake our own assumptions for certainty, overlooking the limits of our knowledge and the humility needed to recognize ignorance.
In simple terms: Assumptions can hide true ignorance.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and question your certainties.
Themes
humility
knowledge
pride
selfawareness
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- personal growth
- decision making
- leadership
- teaching
Key Concepts
epistemology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions do you hold that might be false?
- How can you cultivate intellectual humility?
A Different Perspective
Our pride can blind us to learning opportunities.
![“Physiognomy is not a guide that has been given us by which to judge of the character of men: it may only serve us for conjecture. [Fr., La physionomie n'est pas une regle qui nous soit donnee pour juger des hommes; elle nous peut servir de conjecture.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3cd/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_character_physiognomy-is-not-a-guide-that-has-been_207056.jpg)
![“The classes of problems which are respectively known and not known to have good algorithms are of great theoretical interest. [...] I conjecture that there is no good algorithm for the traveling salesman problem. My reasons are the same as for any mathematical conjecture: (1) It is a legitimate…” quote by Jack Edmonds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/43a/jack-edmonds-61996_algorithms_the-classes-of-problems-which-are-respec_50487.jpg)
