Quote
By Socrates
Well, although I do not suppose that either of us knows anything really beautiful and good, I am better off than he is,—for he knows nothing, and thinks that he knows; I neither know nor think that I know.
- Source
- Apology, 1892 · Apology, Stephanus 21d
- Read at
- Plato, translated by Benjamin Jowett (Project Gutenberg text, eBook #1656)
Share this quote
About this quote
As reported by Plato in the Apology (Jowett translation). Socrates is the speaker, in his defence speech at his trial in 399 BC. He wrote nothing himself. Socrates says it after questioning a man with a reputation for wisdom, while telling the court about the oracle at Delphi. This is the real passage behind the popular "I know that I know nothing", which is a paraphrase and is not in the text.