Many people use the word ignorant to mean “stupid”. Of course, it doesn’t mean stupid, it means “unaware because of a lack of relevant information or knowledge”. We are all ignorant of something. In fact, there is so much to know about so many things these days, that we are ignorant of far more things than we are knowledgable of.
Even the most educated people are quite ignorant of many important things.
Here are a few quotes on the subject.
“The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is knowledge of our own ignorance” – C.H. Spurgeon
Spurgeon is telling us that we need to be aware we don’t know something to seek knowledge. I would add we need to care also.
“The further one pursues knowledge, the less one knows.” – Lao Tzu
This quote from long ago sounds like the next one from author Louis L’Amour centuries later –
“The more one learns the more he understands his ignorance. I am simply an ignorant man trying to lessen his ignorance.”
Indeed, the more I learn, the more I realize I do not know, and the more hesitant I am to be certain of anything.
More on the subject tomorrow…
Can you admit your ignorance?
Love it! I feel it too, The onion has many layers. As soon as you think you’re the expert, you simply find out otherwise!
Yes, to a degree
I’m not afraid to admit when I might be out of my depth because it usually opens the door for me to learn new things and get me out of my comfort zone. And I’m always open to being corrected, but you better be able to back up your claims, haha. Happy Friday!
I’m so ignorant, I don’t even know what I don’t know.
I heard one years ago that still rings true today: “Everyone is your superior at something”. I try and teach my children and children that I coach this mentality.
Yes. “Acceptance is the first step in moving forward.”
In todays world ignorance equals bliss
To me every day is a challenge. I know every day I am able to open my eyes is a day of learning.
One of my greatest frustrations in my life is that “I don’t know what I don’t know “. When someone kindly says I’m good at something. I say I’m not, because it suggests I have “arrived” or achieved. My response is that I am still on my learning journey, whatever path it takes. Enjoy your day.
Crazy can be medicated, ignorance can be educated… But there’s no cure for stupid.
If you know you know; you don’t know.
If you know you don’t know, you know.
Hayek stressed the inevitable ignorance of most of us about most things. https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/coping-with-ignorance-july-1978/
Admitting our ignorance is the first step towards learning. I have always done well by asking others what they know, regardless of what I thought I already knew on the subject. Observe, ask, study and we will be smarter and wiser because of it.