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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: Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching, chapter 33, 6th century BC.

Translations

  • 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)

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