I know that I know nothing

I know that I know nothing. The quote from Socrates was an opened a door to think and analyze. There are so many interpretations & discussions. It receives so many meanings. What do we know from this phrase? There was no much account from Socrates regarding to I know that I know nothing quote. It is derived from his disciple, Plato.

Think about yourself deeply & honestly. What do you know? Do you know everything? Are they perfect? Have you ever felt that you are nothing? Did not you update the knowledge, which was outdated or false? Look around you and see how people act like they know everything. We all like to show that we are perfect, wise and we know all. Practically, we fight with our inner sense due insufficient. Literally, it seems like cover up story.

Philosophy is bulk of questions in order to know. When we question more & deeper, we can gain more knowledge or wisdom. There will not conclusion, but searching & questions. If you come to conclusions, it would open another door to search more. Do you get my point? Well, look at the kids. They always ask questions. Why they want to know and they are not shy to questions? We, adults reach certain level of knowledge and satisfy ourselves. But, remember they journey to the knowledge is very long.

Does the phrase indicate that Socrates did not know anything? Great Greek philosopher paved the way for searching. If the great philosopher was able to say I know that I know nothing, how far I would say? An example: I know that tomorrow I will travel to New York. All pre arrangements are well prepared. There is NO possibility of cancelling schedule or travelling. Actually, I assume and I have faith. What will happen if I die tonight? Did I know that tomorrow I will not travel to New York?

I know that I know nothing
I have heard that mediators meditate this phrase to become humble person by reducing ego, which wants to act ‘I know everything’. When you start to reject opinions, suggestions, advices & knowledge, understand that you are missing so many things, which cannot gain just though college degree. Even you can learn from mad person. The world is full of knowledge. You can get from it when you open to hear.

I remember a Zen story, which tells how ego puts obstacle to knowledge. A professor visited to monastery to know about Zen. The Zen master was serving tea while discussing. The master was pouring tea into cup. Tea reached to the brim, and then master kept pouring. The professor watched the overflowing and he could not control his feeling. "Oh, look at. It's overflowing. You can’t pour in". The professor was confused. "Yes! You are like this tea cup", the monk said, "How can I teach you Zen knowledge unless you empty your cup?"

We feel we know everything. This is ego driven pre-idea. If we know yourself and our limits, we can say "I know that I know nothing".


I know that I know nothing
Picture: © Anton | Photography

Reference:

• Wikipedia: I know that I know nothing
• Zen philosophy: Empty your cup
• Psycology: Stage of Cognitive Development

Know Yourself

Know yourself or Know thyself is a simple and deepest meaning quote, proverb, sentence, phrase or etc. The philosophical thought was born in ancient Egypt and uses or develops by various philosophers from the days of Greek philosophical schools to modern world. The proverb is well known to people and one of the favorite quotes. The quote is interpreted by many persons including philosophers, teachers, students, leaders, etc. Nowadays, websites and blogs post articles such as 10 ways to know yourself or 5 tips to know thyself. In many cases, this quote influence many religious, theological, philosophical & psychological aspects in different time, many cultures and various locations. However, inscription at Greek temple Delphi paved way for strong influence to the quote -know yourself, which was crowned Socrates as one of his famous quote. Even though, Socrates was not the only one, who invented the proverb. 

Know yourself / Know thyself
Know yourself or Know thyself is a translation of Greek words γνῶθι σεαυτόν. It can be written as ΓΝΩΘΙ ΣΑΥΤΟΝ in capital letter. Its transliteration or Greek pronunciation is “gnōthi sauton” or “gnōthi seauton”. Gnōthi is a verb, which can be translated as “get to know”, “know” or “learn”. However, the phrase had the influence in ancient Egypt before Socrates. Also, during the Western philosophy era in Greece the maxim attributed to many philosophers, including Socrates. One of the Vedic of Hinduism called Samaveda (melody of knowledge), which is believed to written in Sanskrit by circa BC 1700, also center the knowledge of know yourself. Likewise, the aphorism was born in various places. However, Greek language and Socrates became the icon of this aphorism. 

Meaning of know yourself
There is a local lyric. It goes “if you know they self, you can fight in the world. Whether you rise or fall, you can live without bow down”. Yes, knowing ourselves is most important than knowing others or other stuff. It would teach us who we are. What are our weaknesses and strengths? If we know ourselves thoroughly, we can have a successful journey in the world. If we fail know, we would struck in the middle of the journey. Knowing ourselves is like prepare a car for long journey. Image, how would you prepare. If we plan and prepare well for a limited journey in order to avoid break down, delay, etc, how seriously we must prepare live journey. Therefore, the first step is “know yourself”. 

My limitation could influence me to know myself. Mostly, my blind spot could be a barrier. If I have lack of self-knowledge, I could get distraction. If you know Johari window, you could analysis your known area and try to know there is blind spot in every one of us. Improve the knowledge of know yourself. I know that I know nothing is another quote of Socrates. If you have positive approach on this quote, you could start your starting point (Know thyself) from “nothing”. 

Reference:

• Hymns of the Samaveda
• Plato in Twelve Volumes - Volume 9; translated by Harold N. Fowler
• Psychcentral.com
• Sciencedaily.com 
• Wikipedia.com 

Quotes of Socrates

Quotes of Socrates are wonderful from Greek philosopher Socrates, who was one of the co-founders of the Western Philosophy. His teaching was influenced many of Greeks and still influences many. I do not think that we cannot study philosophy by ignoring his teaching. Socrates was influenced many philosophers, and still his teaching does the same. 

Quotes of Socrates

Socrates quotes have huge welcome among people. Socrates quotes give guide and thoughts to people. Plenty of his quotes can be found at websites. However, I have selected most interesting quotes. If you like to drop a note on comment box that which is your most favorite quotes of Socrates, it would be helpful us know readers option, and sometimes we can discuss more about the high rated quotes. 

All men's souls are immortal, but the souls of the righteous are immortal and divine.

An honest man is always a child.

Be as you wish to seem.

Be nicer than necessary to everyone you meet. Everyone is fighting some kind of battle.

Be of good cheer about death, and know this of a truth, that no evil can happen to a good man, either in life or after death.

Be slow to fall into friendship, but when you are in, continue firm and constant.

Beauty is a short-lived tyranny.

Beware the barrenness of a busy life.

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you'll be happy. If you get a bad one, you'll become a philosopher.

Contentment is natural wealth, luxury is artificial poverty.

Death may be the greatest of all human blessings.

Do not do to others what angers you if done to you by others.

Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.

Envy is the ulcer of the soul.

Every action has its pleasures and its price.

False words are not only evil in themselves, but they infect the soul with evil. "

Get not your friends by bare compliments, but by giving them sensible tokens of your love.

I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think.

I know that I know nothing.

If a man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it.

If a man would move the world, he must first move himself.

In all of us, even in good men, there is a lawless wild-beast nature, which peers out in sleep.

Know thyself.

No man undertakes a trade he has not learned, even the meanest; yet everyone thinks himself sufficiently qualified for the hardest of all trades - that of government.

Prefer knowledge to wealth, for the one is transitory, the other perpetual.

Sometimes you put walls up not to keep people out, but to see who cares enough to break them down.

Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people.

The greatest blessing granted to mankind come by way of madness, which is a divine gift.

The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.

The hottest love has the coldest end.

The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance.

The really important thing is not to live, but to live well. And to live well meant, along with more enjoyable things in life, to live according to your principles.

The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.

The unexamined life is not worth living.

Thou shouldst eat to live; not live to eat.

To find yourself, think for yourself.

Understanding a question is half an answer.

We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.

We cannot live better than in seeking to become better.

What you cannot enforce, do not command.

Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.

Note: Socrates quotes are available as screensaver. Click Socrates Quotes to read about the screensaver.

Socrates

Socrates, the Greek philosopher (469 BC - 399 BC), influenced the Western philosophy and became one of the founders of the Western philosophy. He did not write any of his teaching. However, there were recorded by his students. Socrates reformed the Western Philosophy; especially he influenced his time philosophers and people. It passed to other generation. There were some criticisms on his thoughts. Even though, his contributions are valuable. His thoughts on ethics and Socrates Method enlightened people to think from blind side. He became legend by his death. He was sentenced to death and he had chances to avid death. He accepted death instead of rejecting his own philosophical thoughts. It made him as a living example of values of philosophy even after death. More than 2400 years passed, but Socrates lives in philosophical world and hearts of people.

He was an amazing thinker and he was excellent in making people to think. Socrates’ famous quote “I know that I know nothing” is a wonderful example to reshape your thoughts if you think deeply. It is a simple, short and ordinary phrase, but it has hidden powerful thought.

Socrates

Socrates : facts in nutshell

Greek name	Σωκράτης
Gender	Male
Born	469 / 470 BC
Died	399 BC
Birth place	Alopece, Athens, Greece
Residence place	Athens, Greece
Age of death	71
Nature of death	Sentence to death (Poisoned)
Nationality	Athenian
Father	Sophroniscus (sculptor)
Mother	Phaenarete (midwife)
Spouse	Xanthippe
No. of children	Three (male)
Name of the children	Lamprocles, Sophroniscus and Menexenus
Occupation	Philosopher (teacher)
Other profession	Sculptor & Solider
Era	Ancient Philosophy
Region	Western philosophy
School	Classic Greek
Teacher of Socrates	Anaxagoras
Previous subject	Cosmology
Religion	Atheism
Main interests	Epistemology, Ethics
Famous Quote	I know that I know nothing
Subsequent influenced	Western philosophy
Notable ideas	Socratic Method, Socratic irony
Other ideas	Socratic dialogue, Socratic questioning, Socratic paradox & Socratic problem
Specifically influenced	Plato, Aristotle, Aristippus, Antisthenes
Disciples	Plato, Xenophon, Antisthenes & Aristippus
Written book	None

Socrates famous quote in various versions

I was interested see the Socrates famous quote in various versions or various languages. We know the quote is “I know one thing, that I know nothing”. It is simplified as “I know that I know nothing”. However, there are various translations of the original ancient Greek word - ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα hèn oîda hóti oudèn oîda. I browsed the internet I found the various translations.

• “As for me, all I know is that I know nothing.”
• “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.”
• “The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.”
• “I know that I am intelligent, because I know that I know nothing.”
• “To know, is to know that you know nothing.”
• “I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.”
• “One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing.”
• “True knowledge exists in knowing that you know nothing.”

I was curious to know the quote in various languages, and I have the eagerness to spread the golden quote to all people. Here are most used and influenced languages and the famous phrase. I could not add a few languages as it was hard to get the translation. I hope to update if someone is interested to do the translation.

Ancient Greek	ἓν οἶδα ὅτι οὐδὲν οἶδα hèn oîda hóti oudèn oîda
Arabic	وأنا أعلم أنني لا يعرفون شيئا
Bengali	আমি জানি আমি তেমন কিছু জানেন না
Bulgarian	Аз знам, че нищо не знам
Bavarian	I woass, dass i nix woass
Chinese	我知道，我什么都不知道
Dutch	Ik weet dat ik niets weet
Finnish	Tiedän, etten tiedä mitään
French	Je sais que je ne sais rien
Georgian	არცოდნის ცოდნა
German	Ich weiß, dass ich nichts weiß
Hebrew	אני יודע שאני לא יודע דבר
Hindi	मुझे पता है कि मैं कुछ भी नहीं पता
Italian	So che non so nulla
Japanese	私は何も知らないことを知っている
Korean	내가 아는 게 없다는 것을 알고
Latin	scio me nihil scire or scio me nescire
Persian	دانم که ندانم
Polish	Wiem, że nic nie wiem
Portuguese	Eu sei que nada sei
Russian	Я знаю, что ничего не знаю
Serbian	Знам да ништа не знам
Spain	Solo sé que no sé nada
Tamil	எனக்கு எதுவுமே தெரியாது என்பதுதான் எனக்குத் தெரியும்
Telugu	నాకు తెలుసు నాకు ఏమి తెలియదు

Socratic Method

Socratic Method would help to measure the Socrates’ famous quote - I know that I know nothing. Socrates never introduced the Socratic Method. The method was derived after him from his teachings. It is well known in academic field and it is customized to help students in various fields such as law, psychotherapy, human resource management, human resource training, teaching and etc. Therefore, the method will help us to explore further on Socrates quote. 

What is Socratic Method?

Simply I can say the Socratic Method is answer(s) of your questions. You do not need to search truth outside, but find inside. The method can be applicable between individuals. Based on critical thinking, the truth seeking can be opposed by questioning and answering. It can be a debate, contradiction, offense or defense. However, it should lead to find the answer from various aspects & facts.  The aim is to find the truth, not to confuse and come to wrong conclusion.

Socratic Method in psychotherapy

I would like to share a few words about Socratic Method in psychotherapy. It is simple and has in-depth meaning. If someone wants to find the answer for his problem, the person has to raise so many useful questions. When more questions arise, there are more answers and possibility of solutions. A simple example is illustrated here. 

Why I’m unorganized? Because, I have lot of distractions.
Can’t I deliver from them? I can, but I’m not initiated.
Why? I don’t know how to do.
Can I get help? Yes, I can.
Who can help me? Psychotherapist can help me.

I know that I know nothing

What do you know? What you do not know? Do you know yourself? If you firstly understand about yourself, then you have the potentiality to find outside. Sometimes it is hard to understand ourselves. We have contradiction on our own thoughts. Yesterday, we were leftist, and today rightist. Once upon a day, you were an atheist, and today you are a devotee. We chance as per the influence from inside & outside. Who we are? Continues changes prevent to come to a conclusion. I imagined many times that how I can say “I know”. Do I know who am I? If I am not perfect to know about myself, how could it be possible to know others? I moved several times by Socrates’ words “I know that I know nothing” and wondered how true it is.