--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a virtue to admit ignorance when…" description: "\"It is a virtue to admit ignorance when you don't know, but not to wallow in ignorance as an end in itself. People say if we don't believe god is watchi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcf/richard-dawkins-115_abandon_it-is-a-virtue-to-admit-ignorance-when-y_613042.jpg" --- # It is a virtue to admit ignorance when you don't know, but… ![“It is a virtue to admit ignorance when you don't know, but not to wallow in ignorance as an end in itself. People say if we don't believe god is watching over us, we abandon morality. Are they right?” quote by Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcf/richard-dawkins-115_abandon_it-is-a-virtue-to-admit-ignorance-when-y_613042.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcf/richard-dawkins-115_abandon_it-is-a-virtue-to-admit-ignorance-when-y_613042.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fcf/richard-dawkins-115_abandon_it-is-a-virtue-to-admit-ignorance-when-y_613042.jpg) > “It is a virtue to admit ignorance when you don't know, but not to wallow in ignorance as an end in itself. People say if we don't believe god is watching over us, we abandon morality. Are they right?” [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) ## 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 lack of knowledge is honest, but lingering in it without seeking truth is unproductive; moral behavior need not depend on belief in a deity. **In simple terms:** Admit ignorance, but keep learning; morality can be secular. Key Takeaway Seek truth, act ethically regardless of belief. Themes knowledge morality secularism Mood reflective thoughtful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal growth - public policy - education - community leadership Key Concepts epistemology ethical philosophy atheism Questions to Reflect On - How do you define morality without religion? - What steps can you take to move from ignorance to understanding? A Different Perspective Belief in divine oversight is not the only basis for moral conduct. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe in god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-in-god/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Morality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/morality/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [For the credit of virtue we must admit that the greatest misfortunes of men are those into which they fall through their crimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/for-the-credit-of-virtue-we-must-admit-that-the-greatest-misfortunes/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [It is an essential part of the scientific enterprise to admit ignorance, even to exult in ignorance as a challenge to future conquests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/it-is-an-essential-part-of-the-scientific-enterprise-to-admit/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“I prefer to say that I believe in people, and people, when given the right encouragement to think for themselves about all the information…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/i-prefer-to-say-that-i-believe-in-people-and-people-when-given-the/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [“The pain of ignorance can end. The pain of knowledge is forever”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reginald-hill/the-pain-of-ignorance-can-end-the-pain-of-knowledge-is-forever/) [Reginald Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reginald-hill/) > [The magic of the first love is the ignorance that it can never end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-magic-of-the-first-love-is-the-ignorance-that-it-can-never-end/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The magic of first love is our ignorance that it can never end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/the-magic-of-first-love-is-our-ignorance-that-it-can-never-end/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [“Library is direction where wisdom start and ignorance end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abid-hussain-library-officer/library-is-direction-where-wisdom-start-and-ignorance-end/) [Abid Hussain Library Officer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abid-hussain-library-officer/) > [The first magic of love is our ignorance that it can ever end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/the-first-magic-of-love-is-our-ignorance-that-it-can-ever-end/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [The magic of first love is our ignorance that it can ever end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-disraeli/the-magic-of-first-love-is-our-ignorance-that-it-can-ever-end/) [Benjamin Disraeli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-disraeli/) > [Wonder is the foundation of all philosophy, inquiry the progress, ignorance the end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/wonder-is-the-foundation-of-all-philosophy-inquiry-the-progress/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [But honest men do not pretend to know; they are candid and sincere; they love the truth; they admit their ignorance, and they say,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-green-ingersoll/but-honest-men-do-not-pretend-to-know-they-are-candid-and-sincere/) [Robert Green Ingersoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-green-ingersoll/) > [To admit ignorance is to exhibit wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-montagu/to-admit-ignorance-is-to-exhibit-wisdom/) [Ashley Montagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-montagu/) > [“Embrace your ignorance. 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