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A little knowledge is a dangerous thing

Meaning: Partial knowledge breeds overconfidence and can be more harmful than honest ignorance.

Origin: Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism (1711): 'A little learning is a dangerous thing.'

Translations

  • French: Un peu de connaissance est une chose dangereuse (literally: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing)
  • Spanish: Un poco de conocimiento es algo peligroso (literally: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing)
  • Japanese: 少しの知識は危険なものだ (Sukoshi no chishiki wa kiken na mono da) (literally: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing)

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