He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened
Meaning: Understanding others requires wisdom, but self-knowledge is the highest form of understanding.
Origin: From chapter 33 of the Tao Te Ching, attributed to Laozi: knowing others is intelligence; knowing oneself is true wisdom. The chapter continues that mastering others is strength, and mastering oneself is true power.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
- French: Celui qui connaît les autres est sage ; celui qui se connaît lui-même est éclairé (literally: He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened)
- Spanish: El que conoce a los demás es sabio; el que se conoce a sí mismo está iluminado (literally: He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened)
- Japanese: 他者を知る者は賢者、自分を知る者は悟者 (Tasha wo shiru mono wa kenja, jibun wo shiru mono wa satorisha) (literally: He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself has attained enlightenment)
- German: Andere erkennen ist Weisheit, sich selbst erkennen ist Erleuchtung (literally: To know others is wisdom, to know oneself is enlightenment)
More proverbs about Wisdom
- Measure twice, cut once — Take time to plan carefully before acting, to avoid costly and irreversible mistakes.
- The best mirror is an old friend — True friends who have known us for a long time see us most clearly and honestly.
- He who fights with monsters should look to it that he does not become one — In struggling against evil, we risk adopting the very characteristics we oppose.
- Wisdom begins in wonder — Curiosity and a sense of amazement at the world are the foundations of all knowledge.
- He who is everywhere is nowhere — Trying to do too many things at once means accomplishing nothing properly.
- Do not go where the path may lead; go where there is no path and leave a trail — True innovation and leadership mean forging your own way rather than following the crowd.
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