# Chapter XVII explained — Analects

> Chapter companion for Analects by Confucius.

## What happens

Confucius teaches Yû (Tsze-lû) the essence of knowledge: to recognize both what one knows and what one does not know, equating this honest self-awareness with true knowledge.

## Themes in this chapter

### Learning and Knowledge

The chapter defines knowledge as the honest recognition of one's own ignorance and understanding.

## Character check-ins

### Confucius

The Master imparts a lesson on the nature of knowledge.

### Tsze-lû

The disciple Yû is addressed directly by Confucius.

## Key lines

> 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.

True knowledge consists of acknowledging what you know and admitting what you do not know.

_Confucius teaches that intellectual honesty is the foundation of wisdom._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se/chapters/xvii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/analects_se/chapters