He who knows not and knows not he
knows not:
he is a fool—shun him: ...
He who knows and knows he knows:
he is wise—follow him.
These words from an old Arabian proverb point to the difference between ignorance, which is often accompanied by cocksureness, and wise assurance, which is confidence in knowledge achieved through hard work. The cocksure person is egotistical. Being overconfident in his own ability or knowledge, he impudently boasts. The assured individual knows his subject and has confidence in his ability; nevertheless he has humility.
Alert students of Christian Science understand that one is truly assured when he knows his real, incorporeal selfhood and rightly identifies himself as the expression of divine Mind, giving all glory to God. When one does this, he frees himself from limitation. One who is truly assured has the certainty born of confidence in God. He has attained self-reliance through God-reliance. He knows that he knows!
