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About this quote

What does it mean?
Recognizing ignorance expands a person's understanding of what exists to know.
In plain terms
Knowing what you don't know makes you smarter.
What can you take from it?
Awareness of ignorance expands knowledge.

Where it applies

  • studying
  • self-reflection
  • curiosity

Putting it to work

  • cultivate curiosity
  • acknowledge gaps in knowledge

Questions to consider

  • How does knowing your limits help you learn?
  • What does it mean to be truly knowledgeable?

Another view

This mindset can sometimes lead to indecision or doubt.

More from Horace Mann

  1. Every addition to true knowledge is an addition to human power.

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  2. To pity distress is but human; to relieve it is Godlike.

    Permalink to quote #5
  3. Education alone can conduct us to that enjoyment which is, at once, best in quality and infinite in quantity.

    Permalink to quote #2

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