--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A seeming ignorance is very often a most…" description: "\"A seeming ignorance is very often a most necessary part of worldly knowledge. It is, for instance, commonly advisable to seem ignorant of what people o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a49/lord-chesterfield-757_advisable_a-seeming-ignorance-is-very-often-a-most_666491.jpg" --- # A seeming ignorance is very often a most necessary part of… ![“A seeming ignorance is very often a most necessary part of worldly knowledge. It is, for instance, commonly advisable to seem ignorant of what people offer to tell you; and when they say, Have not you heard of such a thing? to answer No, and to let them go on, though you know it already.” quote by Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a49/lord-chesterfield-757_advisable_a-seeming-ignorance-is-very-often-a-most_666491.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a49/lord-chesterfield-757_advisable_a-seeming-ignorance-is-very-often-a-most_666491.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a49/lord-chesterfield-757_advisable_a-seeming-ignorance-is-very-often-a-most_666491.jpg) > “A seeming ignorance is very often a most necessary part of worldly knowledge. It is, for instance, commonly advisable to seem ignorant of what people offer to tell you; and when they say, Have not you heard of such a thing? to answer No, and to let them go on, though you know it already.” [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pretending ignorance can be a strategic tool for gathering information and avoiding premature judgments. **In simple terms:** Feigning ignorance helps you learn more. Key Takeaway Use strategic silence to uncover truth. Themes communication strategy learning humility Mood cautious analytical Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - negotiations - networking - learning new topics - conflict avoidance Key Concepts social dynamics information gathering psychology Questions to Reflect On - When is it wise to feign ignorance? - How can you balance honesty with strategic silence? A Different Perspective It may backfire if perceived as deceitful or disrespectful. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [“For surely there is a certain level of ignorance that is necessary at the start of a love affair.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-grau/for-surely-there-is-a-certain-level-of-ignorance-that-is-necessary-at/) Christopher Grau > [“Ignorance is the necessary condition, i do not say of happiness, but of life itself. If we knew everything, we could not endure existence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/ignorance-is-the-necessary-condition-i-do-not-say-of-happiness-but-of/) [Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/) > [“After the usual politeness, the Citizen Brotteaux resumed the thread of his discourse: 'Those who make a trade out of foretelling the future rarely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/after-the-usual-politeness-the-citizen-brotteaux-resumed-the-thread/) [Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/) > [For a man’s life would become intolerable, if he knew what was going to happen to him. He would be made aware of future…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatole-france/for-a-man-s-life-would-become-intolerable-if-he-knew-what-was-going/) [Anatole France](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatole-france/) > [“Ignorance is a necessary condition for many excellent things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-c-dennett/ignorance-is-a-necessary-condition-for-many-excellent-things/) [Daniel C. Dennett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-c-dennett/) > [Assurance and intrepidity, under the white banner of seeming modesty, clear the way for merit, that would otherwise be discouraged by difficulties...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/assurance-and-intrepidity-under-the-white-banner-of-seeming-modesty/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [A gentleman has ease without familiarity, is respectful without meanness; genteel without affectation, insinuating without seeming art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/a-gentleman-has-ease-without-familiarity-is-respectful-without/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [You must be respectful and assenting, but without being servile and abject. You must be frank, but without indiscretion, and close, without being costive.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/you-must-be-respectful-and-assenting-but-without-being-servile-and/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [You should not only have attention to everything, but a quickness of attention, so as to observe at once all the people in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/you-should-not-only-have-attention-to-everything-but-a-quickness-of/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [In the present state of human society, however, We deem it advisable that the wage-contract should, when possible, be modified somewhat by a contract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/in-the-present-state-of-human-society-however-we-deem-it-advisable/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) > [I believe if you want to convey a complex philosophy, it's advisable to keep it simple: day-to-day lingo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amish-tripathi/i-believe-if-you-want-to-convey-a-complex-philosophy-it-s-advisable/) [Amish Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amish-tripathi/) > [It was under a solemn consciousness of the dangers from ecclesiastical ambition, the bigotry of spiritual pride, and the intolerance of sects... that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/it-was-under-a-solemn-consciousness-of-the-dangers-from/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [Marriage is like a three-speed gearbox - affection, friendship, love. It is not advisable to crash your gears and go right through to love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-ustinov/marriage-is-like-a-three-speed-gearbox-affection-friendship-love-it/) [Peter Ustinov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-ustinov/) > [These are the experiences I wish to record in this book, which should really be called The Diary of a Palaeontologist. But in committing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustav-heinrich-ralph-von-koenigswald/these-are-the-experiences-i-wish-to-record-in-this-book-which-should/) Gustav Heinrich Ralph von Koenigswald > [Where large sums of money are concerned, it is advisable to trust nobody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/where-large-sums-of-money-are-concerned-it-is-advisable-to-trust/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) ## More by Lord Chesterfield > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [No woman ever yet either reasoned or acted long together consequentially; but some little thing, some love, some resentment, somepresent momentary interest, some supposed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/no-woman-ever-yet-either-reasoned-or-acted-long-together/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [I am in the pitiable situation of feeling all the force of temptation without having the strength to succumb to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/i-am-in-the-pitiable-situation-of-feeling-all-the-force-of-temptation/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Mankind is made up of inconsistencies, and no man acts invariably up to his predominant character. The wisest man sometimes acts weakly, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/mankind-is-made-up-of-inconsistencies-and-no-man-acts-invariably-up/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Compliments of congratulation are always kindly taken, and cost nothing but pen, ink and paper. I consider them as draughts upon good breeding, where…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/compliments-of-congratulation-are-always-kindly-taken-and-cost/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [The insolent civility of a proud man is, if possible, more shocking than his rudeness could be; because he shows you, by his manner,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/the-insolent-civility-of-a-proud-man-is-if-possible-more-shocking/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [“Secret thoughts and an open countenance will take you safely the world over”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/secret-thoughts-and-an-open-countenance-will-take-you-safely-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Virtue and learning, like gold, have their intrinsic value: but if they are not polished, they certainly lose a great deal of their luster:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/virtue-and-learning-like-gold-have-their-intrinsic-value-but-if-they/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Knowledge is a comfortable and necessary retreat and shelter for us in an advanced age; and if we do not plant it while young,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/knowledge-is-a-comfortable-and-necessary-retreat-and-shelter-for-us/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Promptness is the soul of business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/promptness-is-the-soul-of-business/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Style is the dress of thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/style-is-the-dress-of-thoughts/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [It is commonly said that ridicule is the best test of truth; for that it will not stick where it is not just. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/it-is-commonly-said-that-ridicule-is-the-best-test-of-truth-for-that/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [There is hardly any place or any company where you may not gain knowledge, if you please; almost everybody knows some one thing, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/there-is-hardly-any-place-or-any-company-where-you-may-not-gain/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [Assurance and intrepidity, under the white banner of seeming modesty, clear the way for merit, that would otherwise be discouraged by difficulties...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/assurance-and-intrepidity-under-the-white-banner-of-seeming-modesty/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [“Many a man would rather you heard his story than grant his request.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/many-a-man-would-rather-you-heard-his-story-than-grant-his-request/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) [Explore all 378 Lord Chesterfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) ## More Advisable quotes > [Where large sums of money are concerned, it is advisable to trust nobody.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/where-large-sums-of-money-are-concerned-it-is-advisable-to-trust/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [These are the experiences I wish to record in this book, which should really be called The Diary of a Palaeontologist. But in committing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gustav-heinrich-ralph-von-koenigswald/these-are-the-experiences-i-wish-to-record-in-this-book-which-should/) Gustav Heinrich Ralph von Koenigswald > [Marriage is like a three-speed gearbox - affection, friendship, love. It is not advisable to crash your gears and go right through to love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-ustinov/marriage-is-like-a-three-speed-gearbox-affection-friendship-love-it/) [Peter Ustinov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-ustinov/) > [It was under a solemn consciousness of the dangers from ecclesiastical ambition, the bigotry of spiritual pride, and the intolerance of sects... that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-story/it-was-under-a-solemn-consciousness-of-the-dangers-from/) [Joseph Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-story/) > [I believe if you want to convey a complex philosophy, it's advisable to keep it simple: day-to-day lingo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amish-tripathi/i-believe-if-you-want-to-convey-a-complex-philosophy-it-s-advisable/) [Amish Tripathi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amish-tripathi/) > [In the present state of human society, however, We deem it advisable that the wage-contract should, when possible, be modified somewhat by a contract…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/in-the-present-state-of-human-society-however-we-deem-it-advisable/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) > [When you live with a woman you learn something every day. So far I have learned that long hair will clog up the shower…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/audrey-niffenegger/when-you-live-with-a-woman-you-learn-something-every-day-so-far-i/) [Audrey Niffenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/audrey-niffenegger/) > [I know we promised Haymitch, we'd do exactly what they said, but I don't think he considered this angle.' 'Where is Haymitch, anyway? Isn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/i-know-we-promised-haymitch-we-d-do-exactly-what-they-said-but-i-don/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [Vast quantities of U.S. bombers, tanks and guns have been sent against Ho Chi Minh and his freedom-fighters; and now we are told that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-robeson/vast-quantities-of-u-s-bombers-tanks-and-guns-have-been-sent-against/) [Paul Robeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-robeson/) > [The only thing that it is advisable to know in any language is the numerals; and even there, you can do a lot with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/the-only-thing-that-it-is-advisable-to-know-in-any-language-is-the/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [One had better put on gloves before handling the New Testament. The presence of so much filth makes it highly advisable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/one-had-better-put-on-gloves-before-handling-the-new-testament-the/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [“Speak frankly, I am not in favour of long engagements. They give people the opportunity of finding out each other’s character before marriage, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/speak-frankly-i-am-not-in-favour-of-long-engagements-they-give-people/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [We must not think too unkindly even of the east wind. It is not, perhaps, a wind to be loved, even in its benignest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-hawthorne/we-must-not-think-too-unkindly-even-of-the-east-wind-it-is-not/) [Nathaniel Hawthorne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-hawthorne/) > [Ignoring fame was my rebellion, in a funny way. I was insistent on being normal and doing normal things. It probably wasn't advisable to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-watson/ignoring-fame-was-my-rebellion-in-a-funny-way-i-was-insistent-on/) [Emma Watson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-watson/) > [ . . . \[Y\]ou must understand that we have always considered the writing of books a hindrance to our work, and that for this… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/y-ou-must-understand-that-we-have-always-considered-the-writing-of/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) Browse all 59 Advisable quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A seeming ignorance is very often a most necessary part of worldly knowledge. It is, for instance, commonly advisable to seem ignorant of what people offer to tell you; and when they say, Have not you heard of such a thing? to answer No, and to let them go on, though you know it already.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Lord Chesterfield" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/a-seeming-ignorance-is-very-often-a-most-necessary-part-of-worldly/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Advisable" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/a-seeming-ignorance-is-very-often-a-most-necessary-part-of-worldly/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a49/lord-chesterfield-757_advisable_a-seeming-ignorance-is-very-often-a-most_666491.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a49/lord-chesterfield-757_advisable_a-seeming-ignorance-is-very-often-a-most_666491.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a49/lord-chesterfield-757_advisable_a-seeming-ignorance-is-very-often-a-most_666491.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A seeming ignorance is very often a most necessary part of worldly knowledge. It is, for instance, commonly…” — Lord Chesterfield", "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": "Lord Chesterfield", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A seeming ignorance is very often...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/a-seeming-ignorance-is-very-often-a-most-necessary-part-of-worldly/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/a-seeming-ignorance-is-very-often-a-most-necessary-part-of-worldly/#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 } } ] } ```