Charles Caleb Colton Quotes

Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance.

To know that we know what we know, and to know that we do not know what we do not know, that is true knowledge.

Ability to discern that what is true is true, and that what is false is false, is the characteristic of intelligence.

In truth, opinion may be taken for understanding; understanding cannot be taken for opinion. How so? Surely because opinion may be deceived; understanding cannot be. If it could, it would not be understanding but opinion. For true understanding has not only certain truth, but the knowledge of truth.

Ignorance is preferable to error, and he is less remote from the truth who believes nothing than he who believes what is wrong.

To know what you know and what you do not know, that is true knowledge.

My definition of an educated man is the fellow who knows the right thing to do at the time it has to be done. You can be sincere and still be stupid.

The first point of wisdom is to discern that which is false; the second, to know that which is true.

Knowledge, may it be said, is higher than magic and is more to be sought. It is quite possible to see what is happening and yet not know what is forward, for while seeing is believing, it does not follow that either seeing or believing is knowing.

To know, is to know that you know nothing. That is the meaning of true knowledge.

Knowledge rests not upon truth alone, but upon error also.

He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.

Knowledge is true opinion.

Belief and knowledge are considered to be two different things. But they are not.

We can be knowledgable with other men's knowledge but we cannot be wise with other men's wisdom.

Science gives us knowledge, but only philosophy can give us wisdom.

Knowledge goes hand and hand with truth.

What can give us more sure knowledge than our senses? How else can we distinguish between the true and the false?

The small part of ignorance that we arrange and classify we give the name of knowledge.

All truth, in the long run, is only common sense clarified.

You only know what you know.

You can tell whether a man is clever by his answers. You can tell whether a man is wise by his questions.

To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.

Sciences may be learned by rote, but wisdom not.

Not when truth is dirty, but when it is shallow, does the enlightened man dislike to wade into its waters.