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qui a dit tout c’que je sais c’est que je ne sais rien ?

** »Who Said That All I Know Is That I Know Nothing? »**

Have you ever felt the weight of uncertainty, the nagging sense that everything we think we know is mere speculation? The French song « Maintenant Je Sais » by Jean Gabin captures this sentiment perfectly with its catchy lyrics: « Maintenant JE SAIS, JE SAIS QU’ON NE SAIT JAMAIS ! La vie, l’amour, l’argent, les amis et les roses On ne sait jamais le bruit ni la couleur des choses C’est tout c’que j’sais ! »

But who originally said this profound phrase? One possible answer is the Greek philosopher Epimenides of Crete, who is attributed to saying « Je ne sais qu’une chose, c’est que je ne sais rien » or « I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing. » This phrase encapsulates the limits of human knowledge and the importance of humility in the face of uncertainty.

The concept of not knowing, however, is not unique to Epimenides. The ancient Greek philosopher Socrates is famous for his method of questioning, which aimed to reveal the limits of human knowledge and the tendency to profess knowledge without true understanding. His approach is reflected in his maxim: « I know that I know nothing. »

In the realm of science, the concept of uncertainty is also a fundamental principle. Albert Einstein, for instance, famously said: « Je ne sais pas comment sera la troisième guerre mondiale, mais ce dont je suis sûr, c’est que la quatrième guerre mondiale se résoudra à coups de bâtons et de silex. » (I don’t know how the third world war will be, but I am sure that the fourth world war will resolve itself with sticks and stones.)

In our daily lives, we often encounter situations where we are faced with uncertainty, whether it’s a relationship, a job, or a decision. The phrase « Je ne sais qu’une chose, c’est que je ne sais rien » serves as a reminder to approach these situations with humility and to question our assumptions.

In conclusion, the phrase « Who said that all I know is that I know nothing? » is more than just a philosophical musing; it’s a reflection of the human condition and the limits of our knowledge. Whether it’s Epimenides, Socrates, or Einstein, we are reminded that uncertainty is a fundamental aspect of life, and that the wisest approach is often to acknowledge what we don’t know.

So the next time you’re faced with uncertainty, take a cue from Jean Gabin’s song and remember that « Maintenant JE SAIS, JE SAIS QU’ON NE SAIT JAMAIS ! »

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Sources:

* Jean Gabin – « Maintenant Je Sais » lyrics
* Epimenides of Crete – attribution of the phrase « Je ne sais qu’une chose, c’est que je ne sais rien »
* Socrates – method of questioning and maxim « I know that I know nothing »
* Albert Einstein – quote « Je ne sais pas comment sera la troisième guerre mondiale… »
* Various other sources listed throughout the article