Q0159
“One who knows others is wise; one who knows oneself is enlightened.…” — Laozi (Daodejing, Ch. 33)
Verified English quotation. Primary source: Daodejing, Ch. 33. Theme: knowledge.
English
One who knows others is wise; one who knows oneself is enlightened. One who conquers others has strength; one who conquers oneself is truly strong. One who knows contentment is rich; one who persists has will.
Source and attribution
The archive attributes this English wording to Daodejing, Ch. 33 and files it under Daoism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
About Laozi
Laozi is the traditional sage-author of the Daodejing, though historical identity and textual formation remain contested. Early tradition places him in the sixth century BCE as an older contemporary of Confucius; many scholars see the received text as composite and later.
How to read this passage
Epistemology asks whether knowledge is justified true belief, reliable tracking of the world, or something else; it also asks how perception, testimony, memory, and reason contribute. This passage enters that discussion through knowledge, self.
Concepts in this quote
- Knowledge
- Knowledge is the philosophical study of what we can justifiably claim to know—and where certainty ends.
- Self
- Philosophy quotes about self explore identity, responsibility, and the examined life—from Socrates’ unexamined life to modern phenomenology and existential authenticity.
How to cite this quotation
APA: Laozi. (n.d.). One who knows others is wise; one who knows oneself is enlightened. One who conquers others has strength; one who conquers oneself is truly strong. One who knows contentment is rich; one who persists has will. In Philosophy Blind Box. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0159
MLA: Laozi. “One who knows others is wise; one who….” Philosophy Blind Box, https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0159.
Chicago: Laozi. “One who knows others is wise; one who….” Philosophy Blind Box. Accessed 2026. https://www.philosophydef.com/quotes/q0159.
Frequently asked questions
What is the source of the quotation “One who knows others is wise; one who…”?
The passage is attributed to Laozi, Daodejing, Ch. 33. The archive attributes this English wording to Daodejing, Ch. 33 and files it under Daoism. That locator distinguishes the passage from loose internet attributions: readers can return to the named work or section to check translation, surrounding argument, and edition-specific wording.
What does Laozi mean by knowledge?
Epistemology asks whether knowledge is justified true belief, reliable tracking of the world, or something else; it also asks how perception, testimony, memory, and reason contribute. This passage enters that discussion through knowledge, self.