“Knowledge is of two kinds: We know a subject ourselves, or we know where we can find information about it.”
What this quote means
Samuel Johnson distinguishes two forms of knowledge: direct knowledge and knowledge of information. This distinction highlights the importance of knowing where to find resources, a crucial skill in the digital age. It frees us from the burden of knowing everything by heart, while reminding us that the ability to locate information is itself a form of knowledge. In a world saturated with data, knowing how to search and evaluate is as valuable as knowing.
How to apply it daily
For a question that concerns you, identify reliable sources where to find the answer, and note them for future reference.
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