--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Only by knowledge of that which is not…" description: "\"Only by knowledge of that which is not thyself, shall thyself be learned.\" — Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl_inspirational_only-by-knowledge-of-that-which-is-not-t_801995.png" --- # Only by knowledge of that which is not thyself, shall… ![“Only by knowledge of that which is not thyself, shall thyself be learned.” quote by Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl_inspirational_only-by-knowledge-of-that-which-is-not-t_801995.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl_inspirational_only-by-knowledge-of-that-which-is-not-t_801995.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl_inspirational_only-by-knowledge-of-that-which-is-not-t_801995.png) > “Only by knowledge of that which is not thyself, shall thyself be learned.” [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑knowledge requires recognizing what you do not know about yourself; humility opens true learning. **In simple terms:** Know your limits to learn yourself. Key Takeaway Seek humility and self‑reflection. Themes philosophy self‑growth humility Mood reflective thoughtful Type introspective motivational When to use this quote - personal journaling - therapy - coaching - education - mindfulness Key Concepts epistemology self‑awareness Questions to Reflect On - What blind spots might you ignore? - How can you balance self‑critique with confidence? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on self‑critique can cause paralysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [A knowledge of thyself will preserve thee from vanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/a-knowledge-of-thyself-will-preserve-thee-from-vanity/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [An humble knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than a deep search after learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/an-humble-knowledge-of-thyself-is-a-surer-way-to-god-than-a-deep/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“A lowly knowledge of thyself is a surer way to God than the deep searching of a man’s learnings. Not that learning is to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/a-lowly-knowledge-of-thyself-is-a-surer-way-to-god-than-the-deep/) [Thomas à Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [I have learned a lot over the years. I have learned how best to use my attributes. That comes with a bit of knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-murray/i-have-learned-a-lot-over-the-years-i-have-learned-how-best-to-use-my/) [Glenn Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-murray/) > [Compare not thyself with those that have less than thyself, but look on those that have far exceeded thee.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-gurnall/compare-not-thyself-with-those-that-have-less-than-thyself-but-look/) [William Gurnall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-gurnall/) > [God says to man: 'Be thou thyself, and I shall be thine.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-of-cusa/god-says-to-man-be-thou-thyself-and-i-shall-be-thine/) [Nicholas of Cusa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-of-cusa/) > [This is servitude, To serve th'unwise, or him who hath rebelled Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, Thyself not free, but to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/this-is-servitude-to-serve-th-unwise-or-him-who-hath-rebelled-against/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [Know thyself. A maxim as pernicious as it is ugly. Whoever studies himself arrest his own development. A caterpillar who seeks to know himself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gide/know-thyself-a-maxim-as-pernicious-as-it-is-ugly-whoever-studies/) [Andre Gide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gide/) > [Do not that to another, which thou wouldst not have done to thyself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hobbes/do-not-that-to-another-which-thou-wouldst-not-have-done-to-thyself/) [Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hobbes/) > [“Courage is being who you are. Courage is sacred of thyself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/courage-is-being-who-you-are-courage-is-sacred-of-thyself/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [He hath never failed thee yet. Never will His love forget. O fret not thyself nor let Thy heart be troubled, Neither let it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-carmichael/he-hath-never-failed-thee-yet-never-will-his-love-forget-o-fret-not/) [Amy Carmichael](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-carmichael/) > [Adorn thyself with simplicity and with indifference towards the things which lie between virtue and vice. Love mankind. Follow God. The poet says that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/adorn-thyself-with-simplicity-and-with-indifference-towards-the/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Be substantially great in thyself, and more than thou appearest unto others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/be-substantially-great-in-thyself-and-more-than-thou-appearest-unto/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [Have therefore zeal to better thyself and then mayst thou have zeal to thy neighbor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/have-therefore-zeal-to-better-thyself-and-then-mayst-thou-have-zeal/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [By all means use some time to be alone, salute thyself, see what thy soul doth wear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-herbert/by-all-means-use-some-time-to-be-alone-salute-thyself-see-what-thy/) [George Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-herbert/) ## More by Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton > [Words, however, are things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/words-however-are-things/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [There's a moment when all would go smooth and even, If only the dead could find out when To come back, and be forgiven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/there-s-a-moment-when-all-would-go-smooth-and-even-if-only-the-dead/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [We gain justice, judgment, with years, or else years are in vain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/we-gain-justice-judgment-with-years-or-else-years-are-in-vain/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [We are our own fates.- Our deeds are our own doomsmen.- Man's life was made not for creeds but actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/we-are-our-own-fates-our-deeds-are-our-own-doomsmen-man-s-life-was/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [Sorrows humanize our race; tears are the showers that fertilize the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/sorrows-humanize-our-race-tears-are-the-showers-that-fertilize-the/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [The world is a nettle; disturb it, it stings. Grasp it firmly, it stings not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/the-world-is-a-nettle-disturb-it-it-stings-grasp-it-firmly-it-stings/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [There is a pleasure that is born of pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/there-is-a-pleasure-that-is-born-of-pain/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [When time is flown, how it fled It is better neither to ask nor tell, Leave the dead moments to bury their dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/when-time-is-flown-how-it-fled-it-is-better-neither-to-ask-nor-tell/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [Art is Nature made by Man / To Man the interpreter of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/art-is-nature-made-by-man-to-man-the-interpreter-of-god/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [No life can be pure in its purpose, and strong in its strife, and all life not be purer and stronger thereby.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/no-life-can-be-pure-in-its-purpose-and-strong-in-its-strife-and-all/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [We are but as the instrument of Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/we-are-but-as-the-instrument-of-heaven/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [Life hath set No landmarks before us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/life-hath-set-no-landmarks-before-us/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [Who knows nothing base, Fears nothing known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/who-knows-nothing-base-fears-nothing-known/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [No true love there can be without Its dread penalty--jealousy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/no-true-love-there-can-be-without-its-dread-penalty-jealousy/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) > [The things which must be must be for the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/the-things-which-must-be-must-be-for-the-best/) [Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) [Explore all 39 Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/) ## More Inspirational quotes > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We talk to God--that is prayer; God talks to us--that is inspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-emilie-cady/we-talk-to-god-that-is-prayer-god-talks-to-us-that-is-inspiration/) [H. Emilie Cady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-emilie-cady/) > [You cant be controlling in improv.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/you-cant-be-controlling-in-improv/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [The man who can master his time can master nearly anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/the-man-who-can-master-his-time-can-master-nearly-anything/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Just understand that the good that you want is already here. All you have to do is get in harmony with it. And you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/just-understand-that-the-good-that-you-want-is-already-here-all-you/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work, and give orders. Instead, teach them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/if-you-want-to-build-a-ship-don-t-drum-up-the-men-to-gather-wood/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [Obviously, if you don't love life, you can't enjoy an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-clark/obviously-if-you-don-t-love-life-you-can-t-enjoy-an-oyster/) [Eleanor Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-clark/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [It's a hard thing to describe. It's just this sense that you got something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonah-lehrer/it-s-a-hard-thing-to-describe-it-s-just-this-sense-that-you-got/) [Jonah Lehrer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonah-lehrer/) > [Too much familiarity breeds contempt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/too-much-familiarity-breeds-contempt/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [We never really perceive what color is physically!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josef-albers/we-never-really-perceive-what-color-is-physically/) [Josef Albers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josef-albers/) > [Politics is not an issue whether you like or dislike , but every citizen must involve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/khem-veasna/politics-is-not-an-issue-whether-you-like-or-dislike-but-every/) [Khem Veasna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/khem-veasna/) > [God reveals Himself through surprises.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-francis/god-reveals-himself-through-surprises/) [Pope Francis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-francis/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) [Browse all 114,561 Inspirational quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Only by knowledge of that which is not thyself, shall thyself be learned.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/only-by-knowledge-of-that-which-is-not-thyself-shall-thyself-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Inspirational" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/only-by-knowledge-of-that-which-is-not-thyself-shall-thyself-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl_inspirational_only-by-knowledge-of-that-which-is-not-t_801995.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl_inspirational_only-by-knowledge-of-that-which-is-not-t_801995.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3a5/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl_inspirational_only-by-knowledge-of-that-which-is-not-t_801995.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Only by knowledge of that which is not thyself, shall thyself be learned.” — Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton", "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": "Robert Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Earl of Lytton", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Only by knowledge of that which...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/only-by-knowledge-of-that-which-is-not-thyself-shall-thyself-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bulwer-lytton-1st-earl-of-lytton/only-by-knowledge-of-that-which-is-not-thyself-shall-thyself-be/#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 } } ] } ```