Socrates Quote by Plato
““MENO: And how will you enquire, Socrates, into that which you do not know? What will you put forth as the subject of enquiry? And if you find what you want, how will you ever know that this is the thing which you did not know? SOCRATES: I know, Meno, what you mean; but just see what a tiresome dispute you are introducing. You argue that a man cannot enquire either about that which he knows, or about that which he does not know; for if he knows, he has no need to enquire; and if not, he cannot; for he does not know the very subject about which he is to enquire (Compare Aristot. Post. Anal.).””
About This Quote
Source Dialogue: Meno, 4th century BCE
True learning begins with recognizing one’s own ignorance, prompting genuine inquiry.
In simple terms: Admit what you don’t know to learn.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions to discover truth.
Themes
knowledge
self‑awareness
philosophy
Mood
inquisitive
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- education
- research
- personal development
Key Concepts
Socratic method
epistemology
self‑knowledge
Questions to Reflect On
- What do you assume you know that might be false?
- How can you balance doubt with confidence?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on doubt may paralyze action.
![“Wonder [said Socrates] is very much the affection of a philosopher; for there is no other beginning of philosophy than this.” quote by Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8b9/plato-103_affection_wonder-said-socrates-is-very-much-the-af_548957.jpg)
![“Socrates: This man, on one hand, believes that he knows something, while not knowing [anything]. On the other hand, I – equally ignorant – do not believe [that I know anything].” quote by Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/32c/plato-103_ignorant_socrates-this-man-on-one-hand-believes-t_271582.jpg)
