# Quotes about knowledge

- Quotes: 38
- Authors: 15
- Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge

## Quotes

> Learning will be cast into the mire and trodden down under the hoofs of a swinish multitude.

Reflections on the Revolution in France · p. 335

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> There is no such thing on earth as an uninteresting subject; the only thing that can exist is an uninterested person.

[G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [Heretics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/heretics.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/heretics/there-is-no-such.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> The notion that truths external to the mind may be known by intuition or consciousness, independently of observation and experience, is, I am persuaded, in these times, the great intellectual support of false doctrines and bad institutions. By the aid of this theory, every inveterate belief and every intense feeling, of which the origin is not remembered, is enabled to dispense with the obligation of justifying itself by reason, and is erected into its own all-sufficient voucher and justification. There never was such an instrument devised for consecrating all deep-seated prejudices.

Autobiography · p. 225

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> [My father] impressed upon me from the first, that the manner in which the world came into existence was a subject on which nothing was known: that the question, "Who made me?" cannot be answered, because we have no experience or authentic information from which to answer it; and that any answer only throws the difficulty a step further back, since the question immediately presents itself, "Who made God?"

Autobiography · p. 42

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md)

> Most boys or youths who have had much knowledge drilled into them, have their mental capacities not strengthened, but over-laid by it. They are crammed with mere facts, and with the opinions or phrases of other people, and these are accepted as a substitute for the power to form opinions of their own: and thus the sons of eminent fathers, who have spared no pains in their education, so often grow up mere parroters of what they have learnt, incapable of using their minds except in the furrows traced for them. Mine, however, was not an education of cram. My father never permitted anything which I learnt to degenerate into a mere exercise of memory. He strove to make the understanding not only go along with every step of the teaching, but, if possible, precede it. Anything which could be found out by thinking I never was told, until I had exhausted my efforts to find it out for myself.

Autobiography · p. 31

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> He who knows only his own side of the case, knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side; if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion.

On Liberty

Topics: [thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> In the course of instruction which I have partially retraced, the point most superficially apparent is the great effort to give, during the years of childhood an amount of knowledge in what are considered the higher branches of education, which is seldom acquired (if acquired at all) until the age of manhood.

Autobiography · p. 30

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> “For letting us examine their silly records they want to charge us a flat million marks!”
>
> “Pay it.”
>
> “It’s robbery.”
>
> “A Belter says that? Why don’t you have records on Mars?”
>
> “We were never interested. What for?”
>
> “What about abstract knowledge?”
>
> “Another word for useless.”
>
> “Then what makes you want useless knowledge enough to pay a million marks for it?”
>
> Slowly Nick matched his grin. “It’s still robbery. How in Finagle’s name did Earth know they’d need to know about Mars?”
>
> “That’s the secret of abstract knowledge. You get in the habit of finding out everything you can about everything. Most of it gets used sooner or later.”

[Larry Niven](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven.md) · [Protector](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven/protector.md) · p. 45 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven/protector/for-letting-us-examine.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> We learn only to ask more questions.

[Larry Niven](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven.md) · [Ringworld Engineers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven/ringworld-engineers.md) · p. 59 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/larry-niven/ringworld-engineers/we-learn-only.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> They say a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but it is not one half so bad as a lot of ignorance.

[Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Equal Rites](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/equal-rites.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/equal-rites/they-say-a-little.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [stupidity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/stupidity.md)

> Publishers, with their usual bravery, dumbed down their books in order to make money at the expense of leaving American children undereducated or, worse, miseducated.

[Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [I, Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/i-asimov.md) · p. 306 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/i-asimov/publishers-with-their.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [money](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/money.md)

> I know nothing of that directly; I only know what I have been told by other young ones who couldn't have known directly either. I want to find out the truth about them and the wanting has grown until there is more of curiosity in me than fear.

[Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [The Gods Themselves](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/the-gods-themselves.md) · p. 104 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/the-gods-themselves/i-know-nothing.md)

Topics: [truth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> I received the fundamentals of my education in school, but that was not enough. My real education, the superstructure, the details, the true architecture, I got out of the public library. For an impoverished child whose family could not afford to buy books, the library was the open door to wonder and achievement, and I can never be sufficiently grateful that I had the wit to charge through that door and make the most of it.
>
> Now, when I read constantly about the way in which library funds are being cut and cut, I can only think that the door is closing and that American society has found one more way to destroy itself.

[Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [I, Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/i-asimov.md) · p. 29 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/i-asimov/i-received-the.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [reading](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reading.md)

> I don't like anything that's got to be. I want to know why.

[Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [The Gods Themselves](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/the-gods-themselves.md) · p. 93 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/the-gods-themselves/i-dont-like.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> Why, he wondered, did so many people spend their lives not trying to find answers to questions—not even thinking of questions to begin with? Was there anything more exciting in life than seeking answers?

[Isaac Asimov](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov.md) · [Prelude to Foundation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/prelude-to-foundation.md) · p. 281 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/isaac-asimov/prelude-to-foundation/why-he-wondered.md)

Topics: [thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> “You’re not too heavily laden, Professor. What are those documents?”
>
> “Star charts,” he said firmly. “The true treasure of our civilization. A few books too—oh, what a horror it was that we were not able to empty the libraries! For once a book is lost to the ice, a little more of our past is gone forever. But as to my personal effects, my pots and pans, I have my own troop of slave bearers to help me with all that. They are called graduate students.”

[Arthur C. Clarke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke.md) · [Firstborn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/firstborn.md) · p. 327 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/firstborn/youre-not-too.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> Slickness of presentation didn’t imply comprehensiveness of knowledge.

[Arthur C. Clarke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke.md) · [Firstborn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/firstborn.md) · p. 77 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/firstborn/slickness-of-presentation.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [appearances](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/appearances.md)

> There are some things that no amount of pure intelligence can anticipate, but which can only be learned by bitter experience.

[Arthur C. Clarke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke.md) · [The Collected Stories Of Arthur C. Clarke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/the-collected-stories-of-arthur-c-clarke.md) · p. 284 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-c-clarke/the-collected-stories-of-arthur-c-clarke/there-are-some.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> Confusion is a word we have invented for an order which is not understood.

Tropic of Capricorn · p. 170

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> We are here and it is now: further than that, all human knowledge is moonshine.

[H.L. Mencken](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken.md) · [A Mencken Chrestomathy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken/a-mencken-chrestomathy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hl-mencken/a-mencken-chrestomathy/we-are-here.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [doubt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/doubt.md)

> The evil that is in the world always comes of ignorance, and good intentions may do as much harm as malevolence, if they lack understanding. On the whole men are more good than bad; that, however, isn't the real point. But they are more or less ignorant, and it is this that we call vice or virtue; the most incorrigible vice being that of an ignorance which fancies it knows everything and therefore claims for itself the right to kill. There can be no true goodness, nor true love, without the utmost clear-sightedness.

[Albert Camus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus.md) · [The Plague](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/the-plague.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/the-plague/the-evil-that.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [evil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/evil.md)

> An age is called Dark not because the light fails to shine, but because people refuse to see it.

[James A. Michener](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-a-michener.md) · [Space](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-a-michener/space.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-a-michener/space/an-age-is-called.md)

Topics: [truth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> It is a mystery that is hidden from me by reason that the emergency requiring the fathoming of it hath not in my life-days occurred, and so, not having no need to know this thing, I abide barren of the knowledge.

[Mark Twain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain.md) · [A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/a-connecticut-yankee-in-king-arthurs-court.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/a-connecticut-yankee-in-king-arthurs-court/it-is-a-mystery.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> We have not the reverent feeling for the rainbow that the savage has, because we know how it is made. We have lost as much as we gained by prying into that matter.

[Mark Twain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain.md) · [A Tramp Abroad](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/a-tramp-abroad.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-twain/a-tramp-abroad/we-have-not.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> It is manifest that there is no danger at all in the proportion or quantity of knowledge, how large soever, lest it should make it swell or out-compass itself; no, but it is merely the quality of knowledge, which, be it in quantity more or less, if it be taken without the true corrective thereof, hath in it some nature of venom or malignity, and some effects of that venom, which is ventosity or swelling. This corrective spice, the mixture whereof maketh knowledge so sovereign, is charity, which the Apostle immediately addeth to the former clause; for so he saith, "Knowledge bloweth up, but charity buildeth up".

[Francis Bacon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon.md) · [The Advancement of Learning](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning/it-is-manifest.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> Neither did the dispensation of God vary in the times after our Saviour came into the world; for our Saviour himself did first show His power to subdue ignorance, by His conference with the priests and doctors of the law, before He showed His power to subdue nature by His miracles. And the coming of this Holy Spirit was chiefly figured and expressed in the similitude and gift of tongues, which are but vehicula scientiæ.

[Francis Bacon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon.md) · [The Advancement of Learning](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning/neither-did-the.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> The greatest error of all the rest is the mistaking or misplacing of the last or farthest end of knowledge: for men have entered into a desire of learning and knowledge, sometimes upon a natural curiosity and inquisitive appetite; sometimes to entertain their minds with variety and delight; sometimes for ornament and reputation; and sometimes to enable them to victory of wit and contradiction; and most times for lucre and profession; and seldom sincerely to give a true account of their gift of reason, to the benefit and use of men: as if there were sought in knowledge a couch whereupon to rest a searching and restless spirit; or a tarrasse, for a wandering and variable mind to walk up and down with a fair prospect; or a tower of state, for a proud mind to raise itself upon; or a fort or commanding ground, for strife and contention; or a shop, for profit or sale; and not a rich storehouse, for the glory of the Creator and the relief of man's estate.

[Francis Bacon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon.md) · [The Advancement of Learning](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning/the-greatest-error.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> The two ways of contemplation are not unlike the two ways of action commonly spoken of by the ancients: the one plain and smooth in the beginning, and in the end impassable; the other rough and troublesome in the entrance, but after a while fair and even. So it is in contemplation: If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts he shall end in certainties.

[Francis Bacon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon.md) · [The Advancement of Learning](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning/the-two-ways.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [doubt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/doubt.md)

> They are ill discoverers that think there is no land, when they can see nothing but sea.

[Francis Bacon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon.md) · [The Advancement of Learning](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning/they-are-ill.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> For all knowledge and wonder (which is the seed of knowledge) is an impression of pleasure in itself.

[Francis Bacon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon.md) · [The Advancement of Learning](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/francis-bacon/the-advancement-of-learning/for-all-knowledge.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> Let this serve as an outline of the good; for we must presumably first sketch it roughly, and then later fill in the details. But it would seem that any one is capable of carrying on and articulating what has once been well outlined, and that time is a good discoverer or partner in such a work; to which facts the advances of the arts are due; for any one can add what is lacking. And we must also remember what has been said before, and not look for precision in all things alike, but in each class of things such precision as accords with the subject-matter, and so much as is appropriate to the inquiry. For a carpenter and a geometer investigate the right angle in different ways; the former does so in so far as the right angle is useful for his work, while the latter inquires what it is or what sort of thing it is; for he is a spectator of the truth. We must act in the same way, then, in all other matters as well, that our main task may not be subordinated to minor questions. Nor must we demand the cause in all matters alike; it is enough in some cases that the fact be well established, as in the case of the first principles; the fact is the primary thing or first principle. Now of first principles we see some by induction, some by perception, some by a certain habituation, and others too in other ways. But each set of principles we must try to investigate in the natural way, and we must take pains to state them definitely, since they have a great influence on what follows. For the beginning is thought to be more than half of the whole, and many of the questions we ask are cleared up by it.

[Aristotle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle.md) · [Nicomachean Ethics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/nicomachean-ethics.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/nicomachean-ethics/let-this-serve.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> It is the mark of an educated man to look for precision in each class of things just so far as the nature of the subject admits; it is evidently equally foolish to accept probable reasoning from a mathematician and to demand from a rhetorician scientific proofs.

[Aristotle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle.md) · [Nicomachean Ethics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/nicomachean-ethics.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/nicomachean-ethics/it-is-the.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> But as more arts were invented, and some were directed to the necessities of life, others to recreation, the inventors of the latter were naturally always regarded as wiser than the inventors of the former, because their branches of knowledge did not aim at utility. ... This is why the mathematical arts were founded in Egypt; for there the priestly caste was allowed to be at leisure.

[Aristotle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle.md) · [Metaphysics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/metaphysics.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/metaphysics/but-as-more.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> For it is owing to their wonder that men both now begin and at first began to philosophize; they wondered originally at the obvious difficulties, then advanced little by little and stated difficulties about the greater matters, e.g. about the phenomena of the moon and those of the sun and of the stars, and about the genesis of the universe. And a man who is puzzled and wonders thinks himself ignorant (whence even the lover of myth is in a sense a lover of Wisdom, for the myth is composed of wonders); therefore since they philosophized order to escape from ignorance, evidently they were pursuing science in order to know, and not for any utilitarian end. — Metaphysics by Aristotle – Book 1, ClassicalWisdom.com

[Aristotle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle.md) · [Metaphysics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/metaphysics.md) · p. 4 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/metaphysics/for-it-is-owing.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> That which is desirable on its own account and for the sake of knowing it is more of the nature of wisdom than that which is desirable on account of its results.

[Aristotle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle.md) · [Metaphysics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/metaphysics.md) · p. 1554 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/metaphysics/that-which-is-desirable.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wisdom.md)

> All men by nature desire to know. An indication of this is the delight we take in our senses; for even apart from their usefulness they are loved for themselves; and above all others the sense of sight. For not only with a view to action, but even when we are not going to do anything, we prefer sight to almost everything else. The reason is that this, most of all the senses, makes us know and brings to light many differences between things.

[Aristotle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle.md) · [Metaphysics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/metaphysics.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/metaphysics/all-men-by-nature.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> I'd take the awe of understanding over the awe of ignorance any day.

[Douglas Adams](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams.md) · [The Salmon of Doubt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams/the-salmon-of-doubt.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams/the-salmon-of-doubt/id-take-the.md)

Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)

> "What really is the point of trying to teach anything to anybody?"
>
> This question seemed to provoke a murmur of sympathetic approval from up and down the table.
>
> Richard continued, "What I mean is that if you really want to understand something, the best way is to try and explain it to someone else. That forces you to sort it out in your mind. And the more slow and dim-witted your pupil, the more you have to break things down into more and more simple ideas. And that's really the essence of programming. By the time you've sorted out a complicated idea into little steps that even a stupid machine can deal with, you've learned something about it yourself."

[Douglas Adams](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams.md) · [Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency/what-really-is-the.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md)