He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask remains a fool forever

Meaning: Admitting ignorance and seeking knowledge is always wiser than pretending to understand.

Origin: Chinese proverb rooted in Confucian respect for learning and intellectual humility.

Translations

• French: Celui qui pose une question est un imbécile cinq minutes ; celui qui ne pose pas en reste un pour toujours (literally: He who asks is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask remains a fool forever)
• Spanish: Quien hace una pregunta es tonto por cinco minutos; quien no la hace lo es para siempre (literally: He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who doesn't remains a fool forever)
• Japanese: 質問をする者は五分間の馬鹿、質問しない者は永遠の馬鹿 (Shitsumon wo suru mono wa gofunkan no baka, shitsumon shinai mono wa eien no baka) (literally: He who asks is a fool for five minutes; he who doesn't remains a fool forever)

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