Vol. 06 · Misquoted ·Attribution ·135 of 348
"I know that I know nothing."
They never said that.
What people say
"I know that I know nothing."
What was actually said
"I neither know nor think that I know." Socrates — Plato, Apology 21d (c. 399 BC)
Why it stuck
The Latin crystallisation "scio me nihil scire" is not what Plato wrote. Socrates said he lacks both knowledge and false certainty — the punch is in the double negative, not the paradox.
The "Socratic paradox" in this form is a Renaissance invention, polished for aphorism value.
Know another line by heart?
Play the duel and see how many you can spot. Or browse the whole shelf.