What does “To know everything is to know nothing.” mean?

"To know everything is to know nothing" means that the more one learns, the more aware they become of how much they don’t know. It implies a sense of humility and a recognition of the limits of one’s knowledge and understanding.

What context can I use the in?

Example

He claims to be an expert in every field, but to know everything is to know nothing. It's important to acknowledge our limitations.

Example

After years of studying, I realized that to know everything is to know nothing. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I still have to learn.

Example

Some people think they have all the answers, but to know everything is to know nothing. True wisdom comes from recognizing our own ignorance

Is “To know everything is to know nothing.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“To know everything is to know nothing.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “To know everything is to know nothing.” effectively in context?

You can use "To know everything is to know nothing" to emphasize the idea that the more knowledge one acquires, the more they become aware of how much they still don't know. It highlights the importance of humility and recognizing the limits of one's understanding. For example, if someone is boasting about their knowledge in various subjects, you might say, 'Remember, "to know everything is to know nothing". There is always more to learn.'

1Education
After years of studying, I realized that to know everything is to know nothing. The more I learn, the more I realize how much I still have to learn.
2Wisdom
Some people think they have all the answers, but to know everything is to know nothing. True wisdom comes from recognizing our own ignorance.
3Humility
He claims to be an expert in every field, but to know everything is to know nothing. It's important to acknowledge our limitations.

Similar phrases to “To know everything is to know nothing.”:

The more you know, the more you realize you don't know

As one gains knowledge, they become aware of how much they still have to learn

Example

The more she studied, the more she realized that the more you know, the more you realize you don't know.

Ignorance is bliss

Not knowing certain things can bring happiness or peace of mind

Example

He chose not to learn about the negative aspects of the situation because ignorance is bliss.

A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Having a small amount of knowledge on a subject can lead to overconfidence and mistakes

Example

He thought he knew enough to fix the car, but ended up causing more damage. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “To know everything is to know nothing.” come from?

The origin of the phrase "To know everything is to know nothing" is unknown.

Is “To know everything is to know nothing.” common in everyday conversation?

"To know everything is to know nothing" is not as common as other proverbs, but it is still used in everyday conversation. It is often used in educational or philosophical discussions to highlight the importance of humility and continuous learning.

What tone does “To know everything is to know nothing.” have?

"To know everything is to know nothing" conveys a tone of wisdom and humility. It encourages individuals to recognize the vastness of knowledge and to approach learning with a sense of curiosity and openness.

Can “To know everything is to know nothing.” be used in informal and formal settings?

The phrase "to know everything is to know nothing" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is suitable for conversations among friends, colleagues, and in academic or professional contexts where the topic of knowledge and learning is being discussed.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

The phrase is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'After years of studying, I realized that "to know everything is to know nothing". The more I learn, the more I realize how much I still have to learn.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the proverb even if used alone, like saying 'Remember, "to know everything is to know nothing".' to imply the importance of humility and continuous learning.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

the more you learn, the less you know
knowledge is realizing how little you know
true wisdom is knowing what you don't know
the wise know that they know nothing
the more you know, the more you understand

Antonyms

to know everything is to know something
ignorance is knowledge
the less you know, the more you understand
knowledge is power
knowing everything is the ultimate goal