--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All I really know is the extent of my own…" description: "\"All I really know is the extent of my own ignorance\" — Plato" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45d/plato-103_answers_all-i-really-know-is-the-extent-of-my-ow_2973537.jpg" --- # All I really know is the extent of my own ignorance ![“All I really know is the extent of my own ignorance” quote by Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45d/plato-103_answers_all-i-really-know-is-the-extent-of-my-ow_2973537.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45d/plato-103_answers_all-i-really-know-is-the-extent-of-my-ow_2973537.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45d/plato-103_answers_all-i-really-know-is-the-extent-of-my-ow_2973537.jpg) > “All I really know is the extent of my own ignorance” [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Recognizing one's own ignorance is the first step toward true wisdom. **In simple terms:** Knowing you are ignorant opens the path to learning. Key Takeaway Embrace humility and seek knowledge. Themes wisdom humility self-awareness Mood reflective inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - personal growth - philosophical inquiry - critical thinking Key Concepts Socratic method epistemology Questions to Reflect On - What does acknowledging ignorance enable you to do? - How can you turn humility into action? A Different Perspective Ignorance can be a barrier if not acknowledged. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) ## Related quotes > [“One can never know the full extent of what didn't happen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-r-krozer/one-can-never-know-the-full-extent-of-what-didn-t-happen/) Michael R. Krozer > [We know others to the extent that we know ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fripp/we-know-others-to-the-extent-that-we-know-ourselves/) [Robert Fripp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fripp/) > [True wisdom is to know the extent of what you don't know quite as well as you know what you do know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/true-wisdom-is-to-know-the-extent-of-what-you-don-t-know-quite-as/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Perhaps I know to what extent I can go too far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-cocteau/perhaps-i-know-to-what-extent-i-can-go-too-far/) [Jean Cocteau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-cocteau/) > [“Oh, Confucius, "real knowledge" is to know we will ever be able to measure the extent of our, or one's, ignorance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-cia-ramos/oh-confucius-real-knowledge-is-to-know-we-will-ever-be-able-to/) Lúcia Ramos > [It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/it-takes-considerable-knowledge-just-to-realize-the-extent-of-your/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [“The source of all the problems in the world is ignorance - the limited view point or narrow mindedness or the conditioned state of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-vazhakunnathu/the-source-of-all-the-problems-in-the-world-is-ignorance-the-limited/) [Thomas Vazhakunnathu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-vazhakunnathu/) > [“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance. —Confucius The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-tegmark/real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of-one-s-ignorance-confucius-the/) [Max Tegmark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-tegmark/) > [“Education is learning the extent of one's own ignorance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-c-nolan/education-is-learning-the-extent-of-one-s-own-ignorance/) [Raymond C. Nolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-c-nolan/) > [“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” Be”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mo-gawdat/real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of-one-s-ignorance-be/) [Mo Gawdat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mo-gawdat/) > [“Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” —Confucius”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-oppenlander/real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of-one-s-ignorance-confucius/) Richard Oppenlander > [Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/real-knowledge-is-to-know-the-extent-of-one-s-ignorance/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [“I don't really know who you are, but I'd appreciate it if I never found out.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babe-walker/i-don-t-really-know-who-you-are-but-i-d-appreciate-it-if-i-never/) [Babe Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babe-walker/) > [You never really know someone until you have been their friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walker-best/you-never-really-know-someone-until-you-have-been-their-friend/) Walker Best > [If you only know something one way, then you don't really know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/if-you-only-know-something-one-way-then-you-don-t-really-know-it/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) ## More by Plato > [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/) > [You may be sure, dear Crito, that inaccurate language is not only in itself a mistake: it implants evil in men's souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/you-may-be-sure-dear-crito-that-inaccurate-language-is-not-only-in/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“If men learn this, it will implant forgetfulness in their souls; they will cease to exercise memory because they rely on that which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/if-men-learn-this-it-will-implant-forgetfulness-in-their-souls-they/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Knowledge which is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/knowledge-which-is-acquired-under-compulsion-obtains-no-hold-on-the/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [I do not think it is permitted that a better man be harmed by a worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/i-do-not-think-it-is-permitted-that-a-better-man-be-harmed-by-a-worse/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Any city, however small, is in fact divided into two, one the city of the poor, the other of the rich; these are at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/any-city-however-small-is-in-fact-divided-into-two-one-the-city-of/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [When men speak ill of thee, live so as nobody may believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-as-nobody-may-believe-them/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“The love of man to woman is a thing common and of course, and at first partakes more of instinct and passion than of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/the-love-of-man-to-woman-is-a-thing-common-and-of-course-and-at-first/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Strange times are these in which we live when old and young are taught in falsehood's school, and the one man that dares to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/strange-times-are-these-in-which-we-live-when-old-and-young-are/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“He was a wise man who invented God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/he-was-a-wise-man-who-invented-god/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [For let me tell you, that the more the pleasures of the body fade away, the greater to me is the pleasure and charm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/for-let-me-tell-you-that-the-more-the-pleasures-of-the-body-fade-away/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“What shall we say about those spectators, then, who can see a plurality of beautiful things, but not beauty itself, and who are incapable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/what-shall-we-say-about-those-spectators-then-who-can-see-a-plurality/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Geometry existed before creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/geometry-existed-before-creation/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [When men speak ill of thee, live so that nobody will believe them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/when-men-speak-ill-of-thee-live-so-that-nobody-will-believe-them/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [We must, if we are to be consistent, and if we re to have a real pedigree herd, mate the best of our men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/we-must-if-we-are-to-be-consistent-and-if-we-re-to-have-a-real/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) [Explore all 1,278 Plato quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) ## More Answers quotes > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [You feed yourself. Make sure you have all the information, whether it's aesthetic, scientific, mathematical, I don't care what it is. Then you walk…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/you-feed-yourself-make-sure-you-have-all-the-information-whether-it-s/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) > [I have long felt that the way to keep children out of trouble is to keep them interested in things. Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [“As long as you keep searching,the answers will come.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kynock/as-long-as-you-keep-searching-the-answers-will-come/) [Mitch Kynock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kynock/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [There is a comfort in rituals, and rituals provide a framework for stability when you are trying to find answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/there-is-a-comfort-in-rituals-and-rituals-provide-a-framework-for/) [Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/) > [A religious person answers to God, not to the elected or non-elected official.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/a-religious-person-answers-to-god-not-to-the-elected-or-non-elected/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [Enjoying life isn't about finding the answers, but living the questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-margolis/enjoying-life-isn-t-about-finding-the-answers-but-living-the-questions/) [Sue Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-margolis/) Browse all 7,843 Answers quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "All I really know is the extent of my own ignorance", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Plato" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/all-i-really-know-is-the-extent-of-my-own-ignorance/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Answers" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/all-i-really-know-is-the-extent-of-my-own-ignorance/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45d/plato-103_answers_all-i-really-know-is-the-extent-of-my-ow_2973537.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45d/plato-103_answers_all-i-really-know-is-the-extent-of-my-ow_2973537.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/45d/plato-103_answers_all-i-really-know-is-the-extent-of-my-ow_2973537.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“All I really know is the extent of my own ignorance” — Plato", "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": "Plato", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "All I really know is the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/all-i-really-know-is-the-extent-of-my-own-ignorance/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/all-i-really-know-is-the-extent-of-my-own-ignorance/#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 } } ] } ```