It is difficult to teach a man what he thinks he already knows

The pursuit of knowledge depends on recognized lack thereof. If someone believes they already know something, they are unlikely to seek to understand it. They are also unlikely to be appreciative of someone who seeks to help them understand it. Said differently (and without quibbling with Epictetus over “impossibility” vs. mere “difficulty”):

It is impossible to teach a man what he thinks he already knows. —Epictetus

#metacognition #always-learning

see also:

• It is difficult to make someone understand what their salary depends on them not understanding
• It is difficult to provide someone with a solution for a problem they do not think they have
• Perception is Reality