Who said, "He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions"?

Confucius, the Chinese philosopher and politician of the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history, who lived from 551 BC – 479 BC, has been credited with providing the quote, "He who knows all the answers has not been asked all the questions". This quote is said to be one of Confucius’s well-known principles. He was pointing out that when people start to really know things, they then know that they don’t know much at all. We find that as people get older, they realize just how little they actually know. Not because of a failing memory, but because of a larger world view. Many versions of this idea are found in the "Analects" concerning Confucius. Only many years after his death, aphorisms concerning his teachings were compiled in the "Analects".

Confucius was known for Confucianism. This belief emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice, kindness, and sincerity. His followers competed successfully with other schools during the Hundred Schools of Thought era only to be suppressed in favor of the Legalists during the Qin dynasty. Following the victory of Han over Chu after the collapse of Qin, Confucius's thoughts received official sanction in the new government.

Confucius stressed the cultivation of personal qualities such as reciprocity, benevolence, and filial piety. For him, education and reflection led to virtue. He said that to command others you must have discipline, moral authority, and always ask questions.