When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it—this is knowledge.

About Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe (January 19, 1809 – October 7, 1849) was an American writer, poet, editor, and literary critic who is best known for his poetry and short stories, particularly his tales involving mystery and the macabre. He is widely regarded as one of the central figures of Romanticism and...

More quotations from Edgar Allan Poe

I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active—not more happy—nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.

—Edgar Allan Poe

I would define, in brief, the poetry of words as the rhythmical creation of Beauty.

—Edgar Allan Poe

beauty poetry creation

Never to suffer would never to have been blessed.

—Edgar Allan Poe

suffering

Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night.

—Edgar Allan Poe

escape dream night ln

More quotations tagged with “knowledge”

If a man empties his purse into his head no one can take it away from him. An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.

—Bertrand Russell

knowledge

All men by nature desire knowledge.

—Benjamin Disraeli

knowledge

If we value the pursuit of knowledge, we must be free to follow wherever that search may lead us. The free mind is not a barking dog, to be tethered on a ten-foot chain.

—Adlai E. Stevenson Jr.

knowledge

Modesty is a shining light; it prepares the mind to receive knowledge, and the heart for truth.

—Madam Guizot

truth knowledge humility

A room without books is like a body without a soul.

—Cicero

learning knowledge soul books

History

11 Jul 2015 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

When you know a thing, to hold that you know it; and when you do not know a thing, to allow that you do not know it - this is knowledge.