---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To know that we know what we know, and to…"
description: "\"To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.\" — Nicolaus Copernicus"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3a/nicolaus-copernicus-10074_knowledge_to-know-that-we-know-what-we-know-and-to_991078.jpg"
---

#  To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do…

![“To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.” quote by Nicolaus Copernicus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3a/nicolaus-copernicus-10074_knowledge_to-know-that-we-know-what-we-know-and-to_991078.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3a/nicolaus-copernicus-10074_knowledge_to-know-that-we-know-what-we-know-and-to_991078.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f3a/nicolaus-copernicus-10074_knowledge_to-know-that-we-know-what-we-know-and-to_991078.jpg)

> “To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.”

[Nicolaus Copernicus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolaus-copernicus/)

## About This Quote

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

True knowledge means recognizing both what we understand and what we don’t.

**In simple terms:** Knowing what we know and don’t know is true knowledge.

Key Takeaway

Seek humility and curiosity.

Themes

knowledge humility epistemology

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

philosophical reflective

When to use this quote

- education
- research
- decision making
- personal growth

Key Concepts

self-awareness metacognition

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you test the limits of your knowledge?
- What steps help you learn what you don’t know?

A Different Perspective

It can be paralyzing to admit ignorance.

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## More by Nicolaus Copernicus

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> [The Universe has been wrought for us by a supremely good and orderly Creator](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolaus-copernicus/the-universe-has-been-wrought-for-us-by-a-supremely-good-and-orderly/)

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