--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who pretend to know what they…" description: "\"Those who pretend to know what they don't, will be thought ignorant of even what they know.\" — Thiruvalluvar" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/thiruvalluvar-15942_hypocrisy_those-who-pretend-to-know-what-they-don_1009129.png" --- # Those who pretend to know what they don't, will be thought… ![“Those who pretend to know what they don't, will be thought ignorant of even what they know.” quote by Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/thiruvalluvar-15942_hypocrisy_those-who-pretend-to-know-what-they-don_1009129.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/thiruvalluvar-15942_hypocrisy_those-who-pretend-to-know-what-they-don_1009129.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/thiruvalluvar-15942_hypocrisy_those-who-pretend-to-know-what-they-don_1009129.png) > “Those who pretend to know what they don't, will be thought ignorant of even what they know.” [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Pretending knowledge creates false confidence, leading others to doubt even genuine expertise. **In simple terms:** Fake expertise erodes trust. Key Takeaway Beware of pretending to know. Themes knowledge humility trust Mood reflective cautious Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - public speaking - teaching - leadership - negotiations Key Concepts epistemology self‑deception Questions to Reflect On - Do you often feign understanding? - How can humility improve credibility? A Different Perspective It ignores the value of honest inquiry. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hypocrisy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrisy/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) ## Related quotes > [I am not ashamed to confess that I am ignorant of what I do not know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/i-am-not-ashamed-to-confess-that-i-am-ignorant-of-what-i-do-not-know/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [We are ignorant of what it is we do not know even though we know more than we can ever say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-l-s-shackle/we-are-ignorant-of-what-it-is-we-do-not-know-even-though-we-know-more/) G. L. S. Shackle > [Even the wisest woman you talk to is ignorant of something you may know, but an elegant woman never forgets her elegance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/even-the-wisest-woman-you-talk-to-is-ignorant-of-something-you-may/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [Man has survived hitherto because he was too ignorant to know how to realise his wishes- Now that he can realise them, he must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-carlos-williams/man-has-survived-hitherto-because-he-was-too-ignorant-to-know-how-to/) [William Carlos Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-carlos-williams/) > [“About the girls she only thought of marriage, and about marriage she thought as an ignorant, dissatisfied, but helpless slave did of slavery.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-stead/about-the-girls-she-only-thought-of-marriage-and-about-marriage-she/) [Christina Stead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-stead/) > [“Ah! How we all love to be deluded! We have a secret dread of being thought ignorant. And we end by being ignorant after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/ah-how-we-all-love-to-be-deluded-we-have-a-secret-dread-of-being/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [No one seeing a beautifully elaborated lyre with its harmonious, orderly arrangement, and hearing the lyre's music will fail to form a notion of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-of-nazianzus/no-one-seeing-a-beautifully-elaborated-lyre-with-its-harmonious/) [Gregory of Nazianzus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-of-nazianzus/) > [Having no background in philosophic thought and ignorant of the reasons supporting their faith, they experience great uneasiness when someone questions their beliefs. Such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thubten-yeshe/having-no-background-in-philosophic-thought-and-ignorant-of-the/) [Thubten Yeshe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thubten-yeshe/) > [We must make up our minds to be ignorant of much, if we would know anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-henry-newman/we-must-make-up-our-minds-to-be-ignorant-of-much-if-we-would-know/) [John Henry Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-henry-newman/) > [How pleasant it is to be ignorant! Not to know exactly who Mozart was, to ignore his origin, his influence, the details of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-luisa-bombal/how-pleasant-it-is-to-be-ignorant-not-to-know-exactly-who-mozart-was/) Maria Luisa Bombal > [There may be some so very Ignorant, that they know not how to Pray.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cotton-mather/there-may-be-some-so-very-ignorant-that-they-know-not-how-to-pray/) [Cotton Mather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cotton-mather/) > [I am not ashamed to confess I am ignorant of what I do not know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/i-am-not-ashamed-to-confess-i-am-ignorant-of-what-i-do-not-know/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [“How can I know these trees, how can I know you, how can I know the other if I myself am unknown to me,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/osho/how-can-i-know-these-trees-how-can-i-know-you-how-can-i-know-the/) [Osho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/osho/) > [I know my soul hath power to know all things, Yet is she blind and ignorant in all: I know I'm one of Nature's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-john-davies/i-know-my-soul-hath-power-to-know-all-things-yet-is-she-blind-and/) [Sir John Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-john-davies/) > [When you are ignorant about something, to know that you are ignorant about it - that is knowledge.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-you-are-ignorant-about-something-to-know-that-you-are-ignorant/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## More by Thiruvalluvar > [The gruel that children's little hands have stirredIs sweeter than nectar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/the-gruel-that-children-s-little-hands-have-stirredis-sweeter-than/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [Not every light is a true light; To the wise the light of truth is light itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/not-every-light-is-a-true-light-to-the-wise-the-light-of-truth-is/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [Whatever things a man gives up, By those he cannot suffer pain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/whatever-things-a-man-gives-up-by-those-he-cannot-suffer-pain/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [Those who give way to great anger are like the dead:Those who are free from anger are free from death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/those-who-give-way-to-great-anger-are-like-the-dead-those-who-are/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [Friendship with the wise gets better with time, as a good book gets better with age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/friendship-with-the-wise-gets-better-with-time-as-a-good-book-gets/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [When no food is given to the ear, Then let a little be given to the stomach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/when-no-food-is-given-to-the-ear-then-let-a-little-be-given-to-the/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [To use bitter words, when kind words are at hand, Is like picking unripe fruit when the ripe fruit is there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/to-use-bitter-words-when-kind-words-are-at-hand-is-like-picking/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [Just as the hand that strikes the ground cannot fail, So is the ruin certain of him who cherishes anger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/just-as-the-hand-that-strikes-the-ground-cannot-fail-so-is-the-ruin/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [The crow does not hide its prey, but calls for others to share it; So wealth will be with those of a like disposition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/the-crow-does-not-hide-its-prey-but-calls-for-others-to-share-it-so/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [Better the arrow that missed the lion than the one that killed a rabbit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/better-the-arrow-that-missed-the-lion-than-the-one-that-killed-a/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [Be wise among the wise, but pretend to be dull among fools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/be-wise-among-the-wise-but-pretend-to-be-dull-among-fools/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [As the quality of water changes with the nature of the soil;So will a man's reason vary with the quality of his friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/as-the-quality-of-water-changes-with-the-nature-of-the-soil-so-will-a/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [Among a man's many good possessions, A good command of speech has no equal. Prosperity and ruin issue from the power of the tongue.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/among-a-man-s-many-good-possessions-a-good-command-of-speech-has-no/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [This world is not for the poor, nor the next for the unkind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/this-world-is-not-for-the-poor-nor-the-next-for-the-unkind/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) > [Nothing is impossible for those who act after wise counsel and careful thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/nothing-is-impossible-for-those-who-act-after-wise-counsel-and/) [Thiruvalluvar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) [Explore all 41 Thiruvalluvar quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/) ## More Hypocrisy quotes > [Everybody should read 'Slaughterhouse-Five' by Kurt Vonnegut. This book is about the hypocrisy of war, told in satire, and is hard-hitting and truthful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kalki-koechlin/everybody-should-read-slaughterhouse-five-by-kurt-vonnegut-this-book/) [Kalki Koechlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kalki-koechlin/) > [Honesty in politics is the result of strength; hypocrisy is the result of weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/honesty-in-politics-is-the-result-of-strength-hypocrisy-is-the-result/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [ “In all, the future secretary of defense and wartime vice president\[, Dick Cheney,\] would receive five deferments during the Vietnam War, protecting him from… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-savage/in-all-the-future-secretary-of-defense-and-wartime-vice-president/) Charlie Savage > [“If men could see us as we really are, they would be a little amazed; but the cleverest, the acutest men are often under…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/if-men-could-see-us-as-we-really-are-they-would-be-a-little-amazed/) [Charlotte Brontë](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Bigoted people are just scholars who lack any sort of legitimate credentials to answer why they're bigoted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doctavius/bigoted-people-are-just-scholars-who-lack-any-sort-of-legitimate/) Doctavius > [The hypocrisy and false piety of the deniers aside, the relationships of gays have no effect on heteros. Especially all the heteros who've done…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/the-hypocrisy-and-false-piety-of-the-deniers-aside-the-relationships/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [Hypocrisy is a detriment to progress. There's always a hidden agenda.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-flynt/hypocrisy-is-a-detriment-to-progress-there-s-always-a-hidden-agenda/) [Larry Flynt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-flynt/) > [Want of principle is power. Truth and honesty set a limit to our efforts, which impudence and hypocrisy easily overleap.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/want-of-principle-is-power-truth-and-honesty-set-a-limit-to-our/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [Mayor De Blasio's appointment of Bill Bratton as police commissioner is the height of hypocrisy. Asking Bratton to stop racial profiling and stop and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-barron/mayor-de-blasio-s-appointment-of-bill-bratton-as-police-commissioner/) Charles Barron > [It's about time Hypocrisy should be adopted as a religion, considering it's got more followers than any other religion on this planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashutosh-cheulkar/it-s-about-time-hypocrisy-should-be-adopted-as-a-religion-considering/) [Ashutosh Cheulkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashutosh-cheulkar/) > [I hate a woman who offers herself because she ought to do so, and cold and dry thinks of her sewing when making love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/i-hate-a-woman-who-offers-herself-because-she-ought-to-do-so-and-cold/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [One can imagine the look the two lovers exchanged; it was like a flame, for virtuous lovers have not a shred of hypocrisy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/one-can-imagine-the-look-the-two-lovers-exchanged-it-was-like-a-flame/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) > [A wicked mortal is not the idea of God. He is little else than the expression of error. To suppose that sin, lust, hatred,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-baker-eddy/a-wicked-mortal-is-not-the-idea-of-god-he-is-little-else-than-the/) [Mary Baker Eddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-baker-eddy/) > [“even the worst men wanted to be perceived as better than they were. How else could hypocrisy have risen to such delirious levels?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-leon/even-the-worst-men-wanted-to-be-perceived-as-better-than-they-were/) [Donna Leon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-leon/) > [What I object to in Mother is that she wants me to think her thoughts. Apart from the question of hypocrisy, I prefer my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-deland/what-i-object-to-in-mother-is-that-she-wants-me-to-think-her-thoughts/) [Margaret Deland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-deland/) [Browse all 1,238 Hypocrisy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hypocrisy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Those who pretend to know what they don't, will be thought ignorant of even what they know.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thiruvalluvar" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/those-who-pretend-to-know-what-they-don-t-will-be-thought-ignorant-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Hypocrisy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/those-who-pretend-to-know-what-they-don-t-will-be-thought-ignorant-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/thiruvalluvar-15942_hypocrisy_those-who-pretend-to-know-what-they-don_1009129.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/thiruvalluvar-15942_hypocrisy_those-who-pretend-to-know-what-they-don_1009129.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/570/thiruvalluvar-15942_hypocrisy_those-who-pretend-to-know-what-they-don_1009129.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Those who pretend to know what they don't, will be thought ignorant of even what they know.” — Thiruvalluvar", "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": "Thiruvalluvar", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thiruvalluvar/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Those who pretend to know what...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/those-who-pretend-to-know-what-they-don-t-will-be-thought-ignorant-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thiruvalluvar/those-who-pretend-to-know-what-they-don-t-will-be-thought-ignorant-of/#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 } } ] } ```