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For he was not one of those talking persons, many of whom I had endured, who undertook to teach me these things, and said nothing. But this man had a heart, though not right towards Thee, yet neither altogether treacherous to himself. For he was not altogether ignorant of his own ignorance, nor would he rashly be entangled in a dispute, whence he could neither retreat nor extricate himself fairly. Even for this I liked him the better. For fairer is the modesty of a candid mind, than the knowledge of those things which I desired; and such I found him, in all the more difficult and subtile questions.
Source Confessions, Book V, §11 · 📖 Read the full passage
✨ To meditate on today
According to Saint Augustine, who is speaking here of Faustus, a renowned teacher who simply admitted he could not answer, humbly acknowledging one’s limits is more beautiful than any knowledge. Today, when someone asks you a question you cannot answer, dare to say calmly “I don’t know,” and notice the peace it brings.
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