I found myself beset by so many doubts and errors that I came to think I had gained nothing from my attempts to become educated but increasing recognition of my ignorance.

For I found myself embarrassed with so many doubts and errors that it seemed to me that the effort to instruct myself had no effect other than the increasing discovery of my own ignorance

But as soon as I had finished my course of study, at which time it is usual to be admitted to the ranks of the well educated, I completely changed my opinion, for I found myself bogged down in so many doubts and errors, that it seemed to me that having set out to become learned, I had derived no benefit from my studies, other than that of progressively revealing to myself how ignorant I was.

The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.

Sixty years ago I knew everything; now I know nothing; education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.

J'ai été nourri aux lettres dès mon enfance, et pour ce qu'on me persuadait que par leur moyen on pouvait acquérir une connaissance claire et assurée de tout ce qui est utile à la vie, j'avais un extrême désir de les apprendre. Mais sitôt que j'eus achevé tout ce cours d'études au bout duquel on a coutume d'être reçu au rang des doctes, je changeai entièrement d'opinion. Car je me trouvais embarassé de tant de doutes et d'erreurs qu'il me semblait n'avoir fait autre profit en tachant de m'instruire, sinon que j'avais découvert de plus en plus mon ignorance. (1ere partie, para 6)

Sixty years ago I knew everything. Now I know nothing. Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.

The more man learned, the more he realized he did not know.

And still, the more he learned, the more he became aware that he did not know.

His progress through life was hampered by his tremendous sense of his own ignorance, a disability which affects all too few.

For it was my master who taught me not only how very little I knew but also that any wisdom to which I might ever aspire could consist only in realizing more fully the infinity of my ignorance.

I fear my ignorance.

I speak from ignorance.
Who once learned much, but speaks from ignorance now.

Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.