The Wisdom of Knowing Nothing
Ask anyone you know—or even a complete stranger—for their opinion on anything, and you’ll get an answer. Whether it’s religion, politics, social issues, or the general assumptions about proper behavior and lifestyle, people often hold strong, unwavering views. Many of those views, however, can hardly be supported by facts. But that rarely stops someone—myself included—from taking a hard stance on what they believe.
I see it all the time, especially online. Politics is a favorite battleground, and it’s easy to tell that no matter how confident we sound, most of us don’t have nearly enough information to make any real determination.
This reminds me of Socratic wisdom. Socrates famously said that true wisdom is knowing how little we actually know. And yet, most of what we think and believe comes from sources that simply reinforce our existing perspectives. Thinking becomes believing, and believing becomes a trick of the ego—a way to control the uncontrollable, to create an illusion of certainty where there is none.
I’ve fallen victim to this countless times, leaning into the comfort of opinions and shaping my understanding based on the voices I already find credible.
I have a friend in recovery, someone I deeply respect—not for his accomplishments, though he has many—but for his quiet reticence. He listens more than he speaks. He truly hears people out, always looking for a better way to see things.
One night, he said something that struck me deeply: “The longer I stay sober and work a spiritual program, the dumber I become.” At first, you might think he was being self-deprecating. But he wasn’t. He was speaking from a place of humility, from the soul’s posture of being open and teachable.
He wasn’t interested in convincing himself that he “knew” anything at all. Instead, he expressed immense gratitude for what God has provided—and a deep trust in that provision, even in uncertainty. He showed me that real wisdom isn’t about knowing more, but about recognizing how much you don’t know and being willing to learn in God’s way.
And this was coming from a man who, by the world’s standards, is accomplished—both personally and financially. Yet he remains teachable. He has let go of the ego’s need to “know,” and in doing so, he’s found a deeper freedom.
Perhaps that is the great paradox: when we fear knowing nothing, we create the very space the Holy Spirit needs to move within us. In our emptiness, we make room for God’s presence. Knowing little—or even nothing—opens you to the fullness of faith.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
– Proverbs 9:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
– James 4:10
When we release the ego’s grip on certainty and embrace humility, we allow God—not our own limited thinking—to be the source of wisdom.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me the beauty of humility. Help me to let go of the need to know and control, and instead open my heart to Your wisdom. In my weakness and uncertainty, fill me with Your Spirit and guide my steps. Amen.
