I know that I know nothing (Video)

Here is a video for I know that I know nothing phrase. This is a one minute and eleven seconds short video that can give you the quickest facts, figures & information about the phrase.

Facebook Covers | I know that I know nothing

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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.”

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	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

I know that I know nothing. The quote of Socrates is an opened door to think and analyze. There are so many interpretations & discussions. It interprets into so many meanings. What do we know from this phrase? There is no significant explanation from Socrates regarding to the quote, I know that I know nothing. Actually, it is derived from his disciple, Plato.

Think about yourself; deeply and 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

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