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 - ν οδα τι οδν οδα 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.”

Socrates famous quote




Socrates famous quote in various versions



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
ν οδα τι οδν οδα 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 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

14 comments:

  1. I can say definitely that the Socrates s the GOD ,because of his was living in before BC.This period was an uncivilized, so he can do his best.

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  2. I heard that some special the great philosopher Socrates quotes are hidden by his students, Is it the truth? Explain me?

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    Replies
    1. I'm not sure If I had completely understood what you mean but,
      Socrates never wrote a book, or anything at all. He was against written speech, or reading. He believed that a book, is smth lifeless, and that it cannot fully answer your questions.
      10 years (or more) after he died, (well not exactly died but was sentenced to death) one of his students, Plato, wrote down many dialogues he had with sophists of his period, and other speaches Socrates had given, such as his apology where hen oida oti houden oida is stated.
      Of caurse Plato could not possible remember all these dialogues exactly as they were said from Socrates and his companions!
      Plato made most of these things up, taking maybe an idea from the true things Socrates said.
      So some of his phrases might not be exctly as what Socrates said.
      As far as we know though, hen oida oti houden oida, was said by Socrates!
      Hope I helped :)

      Delete
  3. I couldn't remember the period, but I never forget the Socrates famous quotes.Thanks for post the Socrates quote in various versions.

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  4. Your work is so good. I Know English and Hindi, but I can't read Other languages.So how can I pronounce the Socrates famous quote in various languages .If you add pronunciation in English for every language, it is better for all.

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  5. This is a great work.It is not easy to convert The Socrates famous quote in various languages. Where did you get help for translation ?

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  6. வள்ளி யாழ்ப்பாணம்September 13, 2012 at 5:40 PM

    எனக்கு எதுவுமே தெரியாது என்பதுதான் எனக்குத் தெரியும் எனக்கு பிடித்த சோக்ரடீஸின் கோட்பாடு , இக்கோட்பாட்டின் மொழிமாற்றத்தினை எப்படி செய்தீர்கள்.இதற்கு நீங்கள் செலவு செய்த நாட்கள் மிகவும் பெறுமதியானவை - வள்ளி யாழ்ப்பாணம்

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  7. Your I know that I know nothing image is so pretty,How did you design it ,and what are software used it?

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  8. Only three words enough for translate the Socrates quote I know that i know nothing in Persian.

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  9. I think your are a good Socrates student

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  10. My hobby is collecting quotes in English and publish them on my blog with a good story now I have more than 1000 quotes from various geniuses but that top eight quotes are very meaningful and valuable.If you want to more quotes ?(Contact by email)

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  11. In modern Greek this would have been translated as:
    Ένα μόνο ξέρω, ότι δεν ξέρω τίποτα! :P

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  12. Great work.Especially the language idea is very nice.I like Socrates quotes.
    "Strong minds discuss ideas, average minds discuss events, weak minds discuss people."
    Read more Socrates quotes from http://www.thequotes.net/2013/01/socrates-quotes/

    ReplyDelete

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