There is something worse than ignorance, and that's knowing what ain't so.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Twain argues that false certainty is more dangerous than simple ignorance.
- In plain terms
- Believing wrong things is worse than knowing nothing at all.
- What can you take from it?
- False knowledge is more harmful than no knowledge.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you know what you believe?
- What is the cost of being wrong?
Another view
Sometimes ignorance prevents action that false belief might encourage.
More from Mark Twain
What gets us into trouble is not what we don't know. It's what we know for sure that just ain't so.
Permalink to quote #162 All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure.
Permalink to quote #164 A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
Permalink to quote #161
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