Search knowledge though it be in China.
—Arabic Proverb
What is not fully understood is not possessed.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Knowledge is but folly unless it is guided by grace.
—George Herbert (1593–1633) Welsh Anglican Poet, Orator, Clergyman
The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Wonder is from surprise, and surprise stops with experience.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
A man of knowledge lives by acting, not by thinking about acting.
—Carlos Castaneda (1925–98) Peruvian-born American Anthropologist, Author
In all living there is a certain narrowness of application which leads to breadth and power. We have to concentrate on a thing in order to master it. Then we must be broad enough not to be narrowed by our specialties.
—Ralph Washington Sockman (1889–1970) American United Methodist Pastor
It is much better to know something about everything than to know everything about one thing.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Our knowledge can only be finite, while our ignorance must necessarily be infinite.
—Karl Popper (1902–94) Austrian-born British Philosopher
The more of wisdom we know, the more we may earn. That man who seeks to learn more of his craft shall be richly rewarded.
—George Samuel Clason (1874–1957) American Businessperson, Author
Not to know is bad; not to wish to know is worse.
—African Proverb
A desire of knowledge is the natural feeling of mankind; and every human being whose mind is not debauched will be willing to give all that he has to get knowledge.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information upon it.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Most men want knowledge, not for itself, but for the superiority which knowledge confers; and the means they employ to secure this superiority are as wrong as the ultimate object, for no man can ever end with being superior, who will not begin with being inferior.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Clergyman, Essayist, Wit
Knowledge is a polite word for dead but not buried imagination.
—e. e. cummings (1894–1962) American Poet, Writer, Painter
How can we remember our ignorance, which our growth requires, when we are using our knowledge all the time?
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
The small part of ignorance that we arrange and classify we give the name of knowledge.
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1913) American Short-story Writer, Journalist
Truly, reading all of this link is a wise move. For your convenience, however, a few choice tidbits. Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
The knowledge that we consider knowledge proves itself in action. What we now mean by knowledge is information in action, information focused on results.
—Peter Drucker (1909–2005) Austrian-born Management Consultant
The next best thing to knowing something is knowing where to find it.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
He is strong who conquers others; He who conquers himself is mighty.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Those who know do not tell; those who tell do not know.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Every animal knows more than you do.
—American Indian Proverb
A great deal of knowledge, which is not capable of making a man wise, has natural tendency to make him vain and arrogant.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
The greater our knowledge increases, the greater our ignorance unfolds.
—John F. Kennedy (1917–63) American Head of State, Journalist
The preservation of the means of knowledge among the lowest ranks is of more importance to the public than all the property of all the rich men in the country.
—John Adams (1735–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures: Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Of a truth, Knowledge is power, but it is a power reined by scruple, having a conscience of what must be and what may be; whereas Ignorance is a blind giant who, let him but wax unbound, would make it a sport to seize the pillars that hold up the long-wrought fabric of human good, and turn all the places of joy as dark as a buried Babylon.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist