--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know nothing except the fact of my…" description: "\"I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.\" — Socrates" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39c/socrates-405_ignorance_i-know-nothing-except-the-fact-of-my-ign_1556454.jpg" --- # I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance. ![“I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.” quote by Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39c/socrates-405_ignorance_i-know-nothing-except-the-fact-of-my-ign_1556454.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39c/socrates-405_ignorance_i-know-nothing-except-the-fact-of-my-ign_1556454.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39c/socrates-405_ignorance_i-know-nothing-except-the-fact-of-my-ign_1556454.jpg) > “I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.” [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) ## 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:** Admitting ignorance opens the path to learning. Key Takeaway Embrace humility and seek knowledge. Themes humility wisdom self‑awareness Mood reflective inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - personal growth - philosophical inquiry Key Concepts Socratic method epistemology Questions to Reflect On - What do you assume you know that might be false? - How can humility improve your learning? A Different Perspective Admitting ignorance may hinder confidence in decision‑making. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) ## Related quotes > [But I know one fact: I'll be one tough act to follow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eminem/but-i-know-one-fact-i-ll-be-one-tough-act-to-follow/) [Eminem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eminem/) > [Each piece, or part, of the whole of nature is always merely an approximation to the complete truth, or the complete truth so far…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-p-feynman/each-piece-or-part-of-the-whole-of-nature-is-always-merely-an/) [Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-p-feynman/) > [I know. In fact, I am never wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/i-know-in-fact-i-am-never-wrong/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [I know for a fact that Heaven and Hell are here on Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-faithfull/i-know-for-a-fact-that-heaven-and-hell-are-here-on-earth/) [Marianne Faithfull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-faithfull/) > [How do you know that they are not fake, How do you know they are not lieing, How do you know this, How do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasmine/how-do-you-know-that-they-are-not-fake-how-do-you-know-they-are-not/) [Jasmine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasmine/) > [When two, or more men, know of one and the same fact, they are said to be CONSCIOUS of it one to another; which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hobbes/when-two-or-more-men-know-of-one-and-the-same-fact-they-are-said-to/) [Thomas Hobbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hobbes/) > [I know for a fact that I am a very expressive person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-cassandra/i-know-for-a-fact-that-i-am-a-very-expressive-person/) [Regina Cassandra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-cassandra/) > [I know for a fact that we're not pushed or promoted to speak about God with fervor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chance-the-rapper/i-know-for-a-fact-that-we-re-not-pushed-or-promoted-to-speak-about/) [Chance The Rapper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chance-the-rapper/) > [Research is about following the gleam into the dark. It's also about being sensitive enough to know which fact is "the creative fact; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-groff/research-is-about-following-the-gleam-into-the-dark-it-s-also-about/) [Lauren Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-groff/) > [Dont talk shit till you know that I is a fact :@](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author-name/dont-talk-shit-till-you-know-that-i-is-a-fact/) Author Name > [When you conceive something in your mind, know it is a fact, and that there can be no question about its manifestation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/when-you-conceive-something-in-your-mind-know-it-is-a-fact-and-that/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [“indeed I know for a fact that you do know, what the fuck kind of questions are you asking me”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-f-moore/indeed-i-know-for-a-fact-that-you-do-know-what-the-fuck-kind-of/) [Michael F. Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-f-moore/) > [“Don’t conclude so fast, you may never know what is behind the fact you know!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/don-t-conclude-so-fast-you-may-never-know-what-is-behind-the-fact-you/) [Ernest Agyemang Yeboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/) > [“Ignorance" is NOT not knowing the facts, it's not willing to know when the fact are shown to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-anna-van-driel/ignorance-is-not-not-knowing-the-facts-it-s-not-willing-to-know-when/) Maria Anna van Driel > [We know for a fact that there are weapons there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-fleischer/we-know-for-a-fact-that-there-are-weapons-there/) [Ari Fleischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-fleischer/) ## More by Socrates > [By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/by-all-means-marry-if-you-get-a-good-wife-you-ll-be-happy-if-you-get/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [Falling down is not a failure. Failure comes when you stay where you have fallen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/falling-down-is-not-a-failure-failure-comes-when-you-stay-where-you/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [Do not go through life like leaf blown from here to there believing whatever you are told.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/do-not-go-through-life-like-leaf-blown-from-here-to-there-believing/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [If the whole world depends on today's youth, I can't see the world lasting another 100 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/if-the-whole-world-depends-on-today-s-youth-i-can-t-see-the-world/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [“I only know, I know nothing”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/i-only-know-i-know-nothing/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [I cannot teach anybody anything, I can only make them think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/i-cannot-teach-anybody-anything-i-can-only-make-them-think/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [If measure and symmetry are absent from any composition in any degree, ruin awaits both the ingredients and the composition... Measure and symmetry are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/if-measure-and-symmetry-are-absent-from-any-composition-in-any-degree/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [Marry a good woman, and be happy the rest of your life. Or, marry a bad, and become a good philosopher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/marry-a-good-woman-and-be-happy-the-rest-of-your-life-or-marry-a-bad/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [“For the fear of death is indeed the pretense of wisdom, and not real wisdom, being a pretense of knowing the unknown; and no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/for-the-fear-of-death-is-indeed-the-pretense-of-wisdom-and-not-real/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [There is no difference between knowledge and temperance; for he who knows what is good and embraces it, who knows what is bad and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/there-is-no-difference-between-knowledge-and-temperance-for-he-who/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [Besides, it is a shame to let yourself grow old through neglect before seeing how you can develop the maximum beauty and strength of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/besides-it-is-a-shame-to-let-yourself-grow-old-through-neglect-before/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [The greatest blessing granted to mankind come by way of madness, which is a divine gift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/the-greatest-blessing-granted-to-mankind-come-by-way-of-madness-which/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [I desire only to know the truth, and to live as well as I can...And, to the utmost of my power, I exhort all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/i-desire-only-to-know-the-truth-and-to-live-as-well-as-i-can-and-to/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [So you would rather suffer an injustice than do an injustice?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/so-you-would-rather-suffer-an-injustice-than-do-an-injustice/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) > [The end of life is to be like unto God; and the soul following God, will be like unto Him; He being the beginning,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/the-end-of-life-is-to-be-like-unto-god-and-the-soul-following-god/) [Socrates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) [Explore all 579 Socrates quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/) ## 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": "I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Socrates" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/i-know-nothing-except-the-fact-of-my-ignorance/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Answers" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/i-know-nothing-except-the-fact-of-my-ignorance/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39c/socrates-405_ignorance_i-know-nothing-except-the-fact-of-my-ign_1556454.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39c/socrates-405_ignorance_i-know-nothing-except-the-fact-of-my-ign_1556454.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/39c/socrates-405_ignorance_i-know-nothing-except-the-fact-of-my-ign_1556454.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.” — Socrates", "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": "Socrates", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/socrates/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I know nothing except the fact...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/i-know-nothing-except-the-fact-of-my-ignorance/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/socrates/i-know-nothing-except-the-fact-of-my-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 } } ] } ```