Painterly magnifying glass resting on a sill beside a rain-streaked window.

Original artwork, not a still

Confucius

Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.

Behind the line

What it means

Our interpretation.

Knowing the limits of what one understands is presented as knowledge in its own right. The saying values an accurate sense of uncertainty over a claim to have every answer. Recognizing ignorance becomes part of sound judgment rather than its opposite.

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