71. Knowing Not-Knowing｜Tao Te Ching

知（zhī）不（bù）知（zhī）上（shàng）；（）不（bù）知（zhī）知（zhī）病（bìng）。（）

To know that one does not know is best; not to know yet suppose that one knows is a fault.

Recognizing the limits of one's knowledge leaves room to observe and learn. Mistaking ignorance for knowledge blocks correction.

夫（fú）唯（wéi）病（bìng）病（bìng），（）是（shì）以（yǐ）不（bù）病（bìng）。（）

Only by recognizing this fault as a fault can one avoid it.

Awareness of one's own ignorance already begins to counter false certainty. Self-examination keeps error from becoming fixed.

圣（shèng）人（rén）不（bù）病（bìng），（）以（yǐ）其（qí）病（bìng）病（bìng），（）是（shì）以（yǐ）不（bù）病（bìng）。（）

The sage is free of this fault because he regards it as a fault; that is why it does not afflict him.

The sage's wisdom is not knowing everything, but remaining alert to false certainty and keeping pride from clouding judgment.

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