--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our ability to know about ourselves and…" description: "\"Our ability to know about ourselves and the world is what makes us human\" — Veronica Roth" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f2/veronica-roth-66_ability_our-ability-to-know-about-ourselves-and_1215046.png" --- # Our ability to know about ourselves and the world is what… ![“Our ability to know about ourselves and the world is what makes us human” quote by Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f2/veronica-roth-66_ability_our-ability-to-know-about-ourselves-and_1215046.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f2/veronica-roth-66_ability_our-ability-to-know-about-ourselves-and_1215046.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f2/veronica-roth-66_ability_our-ability-to-know-about-ourselves-and_1215046.png) > “Our ability to know about ourselves and the world is what makes us human” [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) ## 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 and understanding the world define humanity. **In simple terms:** Knowing ourselves and the world makes us human. Key Takeaway Cultivate self‑awareness. Themes identity human nature knowledge Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - education - cross‑cultural dialogue Key Concepts philosophy psychology existentialism Questions to Reflect On - How does self‑knowledge shape your actions? - What world do you seek to understand? A Different Perspective Self‑knowledge can be limited by bias and blind spots. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Ability Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability-know-418195/) [Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Know World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/know-world/) [Makes Human](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/makes-human/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [What makes us human, I think, is an ability to ask questions, a consequence of our sophisticated spoken language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-goodall/what-makes-us-human-i-think-is-an-ability-to-ask-questions-a/) [Jane Goodall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-goodall/) > [I know my ability. I know what I can do. I've just got to control what I can control.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cordarrelle-patterson/i-know-my-ability-i-know-what-i-can-do-i-ve-just-got-to-control-what/) [Cordarrelle Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cordarrelle-patterson/) > [That's what makes a human a human, if we store information outside our bodies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-nye/that-s-what-makes-a-human-a-human-if-we-store-information-outside-our/) [Bill Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-nye/) > [“To be such a complicated, myterious piece of biological machinery! That is a special thing, unprecedented in all of evolutionary history. Our ability to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/to-be-such-a-complicated-myterious-piece-of-biological-machinery-that/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“To be such a complicated, mysterious piece of biological machinery, and more amazing still, to have the capacity to analyze that machinery! That is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/to-be-such-a-complicated-mysterious-piece-of-biological-machinery-and/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“He reaches under the desk and takes out a book. It is thick, with a worn cover and frayed edges. On it is printed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/he-reaches-under-the-desk-and-takes-out-a-book-it-is-thick-with-a/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [What makes us human is not our mind but our heart, not our ability to think but our ability to love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-makes-us-human-is-not-our-mind-but-our-heart-not-our-ability-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Το know how to profit by good advice, requires nearly as much ability as to know how to act for one'self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/know-how-to-profit-by-good-advice-requires-nearly-as-much-ability-as/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [I am confident in my own ability and I know I can put it in the back of the net.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashley-barnes/i-am-confident-in-my-own-ability-and-i-know-i-can-put-it-in-the-back/) [Ashley Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashley-barnes/) > [I have the ability to know the Truth, and the Truth will set me free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innah-delos-angeles/i-have-the-ability-to-know-the-truth-and-the-truth-will-set-me-free/) [Innah Delos Angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innah-delos-angeles/) > [I know my ability and I know what I can give.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-lallana/i-know-my-ability-and-i-know-what-i-can-give/) [Adam Lallana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-lallana/) > [It is often said that the magnitude of a people is measured by their ability to know how to win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jose-eduardo-dos-santos/it-is-often-said-that-the-magnitude-of-a-people-is-measured-by-their/) [Jose Eduardo Dos Santos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jose-eduardo-dos-santos/) > [“Claircognizance is the ability to know without trying.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lada-ray/claircognizance-is-the-ability-to-know-without-trying/) [Lada Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lada-ray/) > [It requires no small degree of ability to know when to conceal one's ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/it-requires-no-small-degree-of-ability-to-know-when-to-conceal-one-s/) [Francois de La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-de-la-rochefoucauld/) > [The ability to speak exactly is intimately related to the ability to know exactly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/the-ability-to-speak-exactly-is-intimately-related-to-the-ability-to/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) ## More by Veronica Roth > [How strange that something so simple could have been instrumental in my decision to ruin one of my most relationships and friendships, and damage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/how-strange-that-something-so-simple-could-have-been-instrumental-in/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“I was beginning to feel that I had finally found a place to stay, a place that was not so unstable or corrupt or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/i-was-beginning-to-feel-that-i-had-finally-found-a-place-to-stay-a/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“He acts so tough that he’s probably afraid of marshmallows and really bright sunrises or something. Overcompensating.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/he-acts-so-tough-that-he-s-probably-afraid-of-marshmallows-and-really/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [And is it selfish of me to crave victory, or is it brave?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/and-is-it-selfish-of-me-to-crave-victory-or-is-it-brave/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [You always look like someone's sucked the life right out of you when something fascinates you. -Tris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/you-always-look-like-someone-s-sucked-the-life-right-out-of-you-when/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“We can be mended. We mend each other.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/we-can-be-mended-we-mend-each-other/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Don’t worry about me handling the pain," I say. "I’ve had a lot of practice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/don-t-worry-about-me-handling-the-pain-i-say-i-ve-had-a-lot-of/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Soon I will honor my parents by dying as they died. and if all they believed about death was true, soon I will join…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/soon-i-will-honor-my-parents-by-dying-as-they-died-and-if-all-they/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Mas lembre-se, já agora, que por vezes as pessoas que oprimimos tornam-se mais poderosas do que nós gostaríamos.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/mas-lembre-se-j-agora-que-por-vezes-as-pessoas-que-oprimimos-tornam/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“am aware of how little space there is between us—six inches at most. That space feels charged with electricity. I feel like it should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/am-aware-of-how-little-space-there-is-between-us-six-inches-at-most/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Oh, good,” I say, a sour taste in my mouth. “Heroism is what I was focused on. Not, you know, trying not to die.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/oh-good-i-say-a-sour-taste-in-my-mouth-heroism-is-what-i-was-focused/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“Caleb frowns at him. "How old are you, anyway?" "Eighteen." "And you don't think you're too old to be with my little sister?" Tobias…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/caleb-frowns-at-him-how-old-are-you-anyway-eighteen-and-you-don-t/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [What do you think they're going to do to us when they find us guilty?" she says after a few minutes of silence have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/what-do-you-think-they-re-going-to-do-to-us-when-they-find-us-guilty/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [“La paz está restringida, eso es libertad”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/la-paz-est-restringida-eso-es-libertad/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [In some parts of the ancient world, the hawk symbolized the sun. Back when I got this, I figured if I always had the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/in-some-parts-of-the-ancient-world-the-hawk-symbolized-the-sun-back/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) [Explore all 1,589 Veronica Roth quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our ability to know about ourselves and the world is what makes us human", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Veronica Roth" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/our-ability-to-know-about-ourselves-and-the-world-is-what-makes-us/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/our-ability-to-know-about-ourselves-and-the-world-is-what-makes-us/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f2/veronica-roth-66_ability_our-ability-to-know-about-ourselves-and_1215046.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f2/veronica-roth-66_ability_our-ability-to-know-about-ourselves-and_1215046.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7f2/veronica-roth-66_ability_our-ability-to-know-about-ourselves-and_1215046.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our ability to know about ourselves and the world is what makes us human” — Veronica Roth", "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": "Veronica Roth", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Our ability to know about ourselves...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/our-ability-to-know-about-ourselves-and-the-world-is-what-makes-us/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/our-ability-to-know-about-ourselves-and-the-world-is-what-makes-us/#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 } } ] } ```