Men Ignorant Quote by W. Somerset Maugham
““There is nothing so difficult as to persuade men that they are ignorant. Bertha, exaggerating the seriousness of the affair, thought it charlatanry to undertake a post without knowledge and without capacity. Fortunately that is not the opinion of the majority, or the government of this enlightened country could not proceed.””
About This Quote
Source Short Story: The Unconsoled, 1916
Convincing people of their own ignorance is extremely hard; many avoid admitting lack of knowledge.
In simple terms: People resist being told they don’t know.
Key Takeaway
Acknowledge ignorance to learn.
Themes
psychology
communication
humility
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
literary
didactic
When to use this quote
- political debate
- workplace training
- personal growth
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
self‑deception
education
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we resist admitting we don’t know?
- How can we foster honest self‑assessment?
A Different Perspective
Ignorance can be a protective illusion.
