proverb · Words worth keeping
Knowledge has no enemies but the ignorant.
Knowledge has no enemies but the ignorant.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
Knowledge having only ignorant enemies describes opposition as a failure of understanding. The saying offers a strong defence of learning.
What the words are saying
A critical reading does not dismiss every objection as ignorance. Claims presented as knowledge can be wrong, incomplete or misused, and informed criticism can improve them. A useful application encourages learning while checking evidence and allowing reasoned disagreement.
Everyday example
Someone addresses a question with evidence instead of labelling the questioner ignorant.
When to use it
Use it critically to defend learning without silencing scrutiny.
What it does not mean
No ignorance inferred from every disagreement or immunity for knowledge claims is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
- Not established
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin. - Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 723; PDF page 66; collection label: Latin
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Latin