---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We do not learn for the benefit of…"
description: "\"“We do not learn for the benefit of anyone, we learn to unlearn ignorance.”\" — Michael Bassey Johnson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/michael-bassey-johnson-311_activity_we-do-not-learn-for-the-benefit-of-anyon_2773466.jpg"
---

#  We do not learn for the benefit of anyone, we learn to…

![“We do not learn for the benefit of anyone, we learn to unlearn ignorance.” quote by Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/michael-bassey-johnson-311_activity_we-do-not-learn-for-the-benefit-of-anyon_2773466.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/michael-bassey-johnson-311_activity_we-do-not-learn-for-the-benefit-of-anyon_2773466.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/michael-bassey-johnson-311_activity_we-do-not-learn-for-the-benefit-of-anyon_2773466.jpg)

> ““We do not learn for the benefit of anyone, we learn to unlearn ignorance.””

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Learning should aim to discard ignorance rather than merely acquire knowledge, emphasizing unlearning as essential.

**In simple terms:** Learn to unlearn ignorance.

Key Takeaway

Prioritize unlearning.

Themes

education growth knowledge

Mood

reflective inquisitive

Type

philosophical self‑help

When to use this quote

- schooling
- self‑education
- career development

Key Concepts

ignorance unlearning critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

- What beliefs do you need to unlearn?
- How can you foster unlearning habits?

A Different Perspective

Unlearning can be uncomfortable; resistance common.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Benefit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/benefit/) [Enlightenment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enlightenment/) [Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [New things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-things/) [Nurture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nurture/) [Reading](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reading/) [Recreation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/recreation/) [Self help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-help/) [Well being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/well-being/) [Yoga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yoga/)

## Related quotes

> [The first problem for all of us, men and women, is not to learn, but to unlearn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gloria-steinem/the-first-problem-for-all-of-us-men-and-women-is-not-to-learn-but-to/)

[Gloria Steinem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gloria-steinem/)

> [“the illiterate of the future will not be those that cannot read or write. Rather, they will be those that cannot learn, unlearn and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-woodward/the-illiterate-of-the-future-will-not-be-those-that-cannot-read-or/)

[J.R. Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-woodward/)

> [“Sometimes life isn’t about anything new that we have to learn, but about what we have to UNlearn instead.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timber-hawkeye/sometimes-life-isn-t-about-anything-new-that-we-have-to-learn-but/)

[Timber Hawkeye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timber-hawkeye/)

> [By instructing students how to learn, unlearn and relearn, a powerful new dimension can be added to education. Psychologist Herbert Gerjuoy of the Human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/by-instructing-students-how-to-learn-unlearn-and-relearn-a-powerful/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvin-toffler/the-illiterate-of-the-21st-century-will-not-be-those-who-cannot-read-2/)

[Alvin Toffler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvin-toffler/)

> [Learn and unlearn, it goes on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniyal-butt/learn-and-unlearn-it-goes-on/)

[Daniyal Butt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniyal-butt/)

> [You have to learn to unlearn, I am a true believer in that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laufey/you-have-to-learn-to-unlearn-i-am-a-true-believer-in-that/)

[Laufey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laufey/)

> [Wisdom comes to those who learn nothing, unlearn everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/wisdom-comes-to-those-who-learn-nothing-unlearn-everything/)

[Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/)

> [Most men believe that it would benefit them if they could get a little from those who have more. How much more would it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-h-boetcker/most-men-believe-that-it-would-benefit-them-if-they-could-get-a/)

[William J. H. Boetcker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-j-h-boetcker/)

> [Knowing nothing about investing might be a benefit. You won't have to unlearn many popular beliefs propagated by Wall Street and the media that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-leboeuf/knowing-nothing-about-investing-might-be-a-benefit-you-won-t-have-to/)

[Michael LeBoeuf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-leboeuf/)

> [“The most potent recreational activity is when we sit back and exercise our minds with great and exciting books.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/the-most-potent-recreational-activity-is-when-we-sit-back-and/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“Be so free that nothing more than your future can distract your attention.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/be-so-free-that-nothing-more-than-your-future-can-distract-your/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“The only benefit a woman can have in talking too much is defeating a man who troubles her too much.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/the-only-benefit-a-woman-can-have-in-talking-too-much-is-defeating-a/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“There are better people in the world, do not let the worst do the worst to you, you deserve the best in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/there-are-better-people-in-the-world-do-not-let-the-worst-do-the/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [Any change of government which has to be introduced should be one which men, starting from their existing constitutions, will be both willing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/any-change-of-government-which-has-to-be-introduced-should-be-one/)

[Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/)

## More by Michael Bassey Johnson

> [“If any woman opens her legs for you, don't feel so lucky to be fed with nonsense, she has been a bitch for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/if-any-woman-opens-her-legs-for-you-don-t-feel-so-lucky-to-be-fed/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“Anything you fear is a shackle to ur soul. It is a phobia that tethers and blinds ur ability to see and comprehend your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/anything-you-fear-is-a-shackle-to-ur-soul-it-is-a-phobia-that-tethers/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“The human eye is restricted to see the useen, because there’s a price to be paid to the rulers of this image and if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/the-human-eye-is-restricted-to-see-the-useen-because-there-s-a-price/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“-We need more love, to supersede hatred, -We need more strength, to resist our weaknesses, -We need more inspiration, to lighten up our innermind.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/we-need-more-love-to-supersede-hatred-we-need-more-strength-to-resist/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“Don't pretend to be what you're not, instead, pretend to what you want to be, it is not pretence, it is a journey to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/don-t-pretend-to-be-what-you-re-not-instead-pretend-to-what-you-want/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“A lot can be done with courage, than with years wasted on the search for perfection.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/a-lot-can-be-done-with-courage-than-with-years-wasted-on-the-search/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“Any fool that had once helped you will someday make known to everyone that you were once a needy. No matter how broke you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/any-fool-that-had-once-helped-you-will-someday-make-known-to-everyone/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“Sex doesn't satisfy for a lifetime, the more you have it, the more you want it. And the more you have it, the more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/sex-doesn-t-satisfy-for-a-lifetime-the-more-you-have-it-the-more-you/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“It is easy to criticize the antisocial, but hard to get close to know what keeps them at bay.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/it-is-easy-to-criticize-the-antisocial-but-hard-to-get-close-to-know/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“There's no difference between a madman and a professor...it should be clear to you in the way they dress, act and think.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/there-s-no-difference-between-a-madman-and-a-professor-it-should-be/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“People run away from the love game because they know they won't win the race.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/people-run-away-from-the-love-game-because-they-know-they-won-t-win/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“When you favour a woman, she will want to return the favour in so many means, but its better to rupidiate such offerings.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/when-you-favour-a-woman-she-will-want-to-return-the-favour-in-so-many/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“When pain inspires you, your thoughts scream its lungs out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/when-pain-inspires-you-your-thoughts-scream-its-lungs-out/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“Petrichor is the earth unearthing itself on a rainy day.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/petrichor-is-the-earth-unearthing-itself-on-a-rainy-day/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

> [“Laugh now, and laugh hard. For laughter is the bell. And when it rings, it cleanses the air.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/laugh-now-and-laugh-hard-for-laughter-is-the-bell-and-when-it-rings/)

[Michael Bassey Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

[Explore all 703 Michael Bassey Johnson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/)

## More Activity quotes

> [Where I grew up, learning was a collective activity. But when I got to school and tried to share learning with other students that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-giroux/where-i-grew-up-learning-was-a-collective-activity-but-when-i-got-to/)

[Henry Giroux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-giroux/)

> [It must be assumed and established as a principle, that the right of private property must be regarded as sacred. Wherefore, the law ought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/it-must-be-assumed-and-established-as-a-principle-that-the-right-of/)

[Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/)

> [Each man is capable of doing one thing well. If he attempts several, he will fail to achieve distinction in any.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/each-man-is-capable-of-doing-one-thing-well-if-he-attempts-several-he/)

[Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/)

> [And also I think the rise of other, you could say, destinations for international jihadis mean that Pakistan isn't necessarily the place where people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohsin-hamid/and-also-i-think-the-rise-of-other-you-could-say-destinations-for/)

[Mohsin Hamid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohsin-hamid/)

> [To evoke in oneself a feeling one has once experienced, and having evoked it in oneself, then by means of movements, lines, colors, sounds,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-tolstoy/to-evoke-in-oneself-a-feeling-one-has-once-experienced-and-having/)

[Leo Tolstoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-tolstoy/)

> [Fighting's fun, man. It's a great activity, it's a great sport.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-mitrione/fighting-s-fun-man-it-s-a-great-activity-it-s-a-great-sport/)

[Matt Mitrione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-mitrione/)

> [There were books everywhere in my house. Books were very present. I just loved books. I never understood reading as anything but a pleasurable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-lucas/there-were-books-everywhere-in-my-house-books-were-very-present-i/)

[Lisa Lucas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-lucas/)

> [For war to man, like childbirth to women, is simplifying in its emotions and activities. All the real problems of life can be put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/for-war-to-man-like-childbirth-to-women-is-simplifying-in-its/)

[Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/)

> [The only activity a cynic will find contagious is yawning, that is, with other people, at other people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/the-only-activity-a-cynic-will-find-contagious-is-yawning-that-is/)

[Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/)

> [For the longest time, neuroscientists were forced to be passive observers of brain activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gero-miesenbock/for-the-longest-time-neuroscientists-were-forced-to-be-passive/)

Gero Miesenbock

> [Enjoyment is not a goal, it is a feeling that accompanies important ongoing activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-goodman/enjoyment-is-not-a-goal-it-is-a-feeling-that-accompanies-important/)

[Paul Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-goodman/)

> [Once an activity has been socialized, it is impossible to point out, by concrete example, how men in a free market could better conduct…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-read/once-an-activity-has-been-socialized-it-is-impossible-to-point-out-by/)

[Leonard Read](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-read/)

> [“Fun is not an activity, it is a state of mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/fun-is-not-an-activity-it-is-a-state-of-mind/)

[Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/)

> [I have to consider everything I eat; I consider every activity I do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-kimball/i-have-to-consider-everything-i-eat-i-consider-every-activity-i-do/)

[Charlie Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-kimball/)

> [Almost all good businesses engage in 'pain today, gain tomorrow' activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/almost-all-good-businesses-engage-in-pain-today-gain-tomorrow/)

[Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/)

Browse all 3,263 Activity quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "“We do not learn for the benefit of anyone, we learn to unlearn ignorance.”",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Michael Bassey Johnson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/we-do-not-learn-for-the-benefit-of-anyone-we-learn-to-unlearn/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Activity"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/we-do-not-learn-for-the-benefit-of-anyone-we-learn-to-unlearn/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/michael-bassey-johnson-311_activity_we-do-not-learn-for-the-benefit-of-anyon_2773466.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/michael-bassey-johnson-311_activity_we-do-not-learn-for-the-benefit-of-anyon_2773466.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ce/michael-bassey-johnson-311_activity_we-do-not-learn-for-the-benefit-of-anyon_2773466.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“We do not learn for the benefit of anyone, we learn to unlearn ignorance.” — Michael Bassey Johnson",
                "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": "Michael Bassey Johnson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-bassey-johnson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "“We do not learn for the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/we-do-not-learn-for-the-benefit-of-anyone-we-learn-to-unlearn/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-bassey-johnson/we-do-not-learn-for-the-benefit-of-anyone-we-learn-to-unlearn/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
