Who knows & Who Knows Not?! (Persian Proverb Poem)

[Ahreeman X]

From the Desk of Dr. X

* Important Note
Before you read the thread, read the complete article below:

Who Knows and Who Knows Not? (Persian Proverb Poem)
https://iranpoliticsclub.net/poetry/who-knows/index.htm

There are many versions of this Persian Proverb Poem which we will post various versions of it below. Some are in form of a poem and some not. The original one is a poem. Eventually we will research, find the original Persian poem and translate it to English.

Who knows & Who Doesn't?!

One who doesn't know & he doesn't know that he doesn't know, is a happy fool!

One who doesn't know & he knows that he doesn't know, is a realist!

One who doesn't know & he knows that he knows, will stay in eternal darkness!

One who knows & he doesn't know that he knows, must be absent minded!

One who knows & he knows that he knows, is an arrogant snob & will not grow wiser!

One who knows & he knows that he doesn't know, is a true scholar!


Ph.D. in conservatism,
Keeper of the patriotism,
The believer in optimism,
Dr. of passion and eroticism,
With a truck load of magnetism,
Disciple of charm and romanticism,
The one and only, yours truly, Dr. X;
Ahreeman X

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[iranazadbad]

Mr X,
Can you share with us the Persian translation for "who knows..."
I used to know it but I have forgotten it. Like many other things that I have forgotten about the homeland.

[Ahreeman X]

Dear Friend:

Have in mind that my English version is not the exact translation. Actually it is almost totally different than the Persian Version. I have written the English version in a way to make sense to the English speaking people. The Persian version is basically something else. I do not remember who wrote it. I do not believe it is Hafez or Sa'di. I'll find out later on who wrote it. But I found the Persian version especially for you. Here you go:

An kas ke bedanad va bedanad ke bedanad,
Asl-e sharaf az gonbad-e gardun bejahanad

An kas ke bedanad va nadanad ke bedanad,
bidarsh namaid ke bas khofte namanad

An kas ke nadanad va bedanad ke nadanad,
Langan kharak-e khish be manzel beresanad

An kas ke nadanad va nadanad ke nadanad,
Dar jahl-e morakab abad ol dahr bemanad.

[IPC]

Who Knows and Who Doesn't?

Dear Members:

We have updated "Who Knows and Who Doesn't" in accordance to Dr. X's latest additions and we revised the original post to the versions below. Both versions are deep philosophical, thought provoking, mind teasers. We believe Dr. X's version is more philosophical. Updated versions:

Persian Version (4 parts):

An kas ke bedanad va bedanad ke bedanad,
Asl-e sharaf az gonbad-e gardun bejahanad

An kas ke bedanad va nadanad ke bedanad,
bidarsh namaid ke bas khofte namanad

An kas ke nadanad va bedanad ke nadanad,
Langan kharak-e khish be manzel beresanad

An kas ke nadanad va nadanad ke nadanad,
Dar jahl-e morakab abad ol dahr bemanad.

* * * * * *

Dr. X's English Version (6 parts):

One who doesn't know & he doesn't know that he doesn't know, is a happy fool!

One who doesn't know & he knows that he doesn't know, is a realist!

One who doesn't know & he knows that he knows, will stay in eternal darkness!

One who knows & he doesn't know that he knows, must be absent minded!

One who knows & he knows that he knows, is an arrogant snob & will not grow wiser!

One who knows & he knows that he doesn't know, is a true scholar!

* * * * * *

Regards,

IPC Office

[IPC]

Who Knows and who Not?

Here is another version:

He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool; avoid him.
He who knows not and knows that he knows not is a student; teach him.
He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep; wake him.
He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man; follow him.

This proverb was originated in Iran, then went abroad to India, China, Arabia and elsewhere.

Soon we will post the results of the research which leads to the finding of the original poem in Persian and its translation. Stay put.

[CR]

Who Knows & Who Knows Not? – Original Persian Proverb
Original Ancient Persian Proverb Poem in Persian & English
New Research Sheds Light on the Origins


Persian Gothic Miniature Painting
Based on Grant Wood’s American Gothic Painting (1930)

Index
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1. Popular Version in English
2. Original Version in Persian
3. Original Version in English

*

Who Knows and Who Knows Not?
Popular Version

He who knows not and knows not that he knows not is a fool; avoid him.
He who knows not and knows that he knows not is a student; teach him.
He who knows and knows not that he knows is asleep; wake him.
He who knows and knows that he knows is a wise man; follow him.

*

Ke Danad, Ke Nadanad?
Asl-e Parsi

An kas ke bedanad va bedanad ke bedanad,
Asb-e Kherad az gonbad-e gardun bejahanad

An kas ke bedanad va bedanad ke nadanad,
Bar pir-o javan danesh-o binesh betaravad

An kas ke bedanad va nadanad ke bedanad,
bidarsh namaid ke bas khofte namanad

An kas ke nadanad va bedanad ke nadanad,
Langan kharak-e khish be manzel beresanad

An kas ke nadanad va bedanad ke bedanad,
Az bi kheradi khosh natavanad berahanad

An kas ke nadanad va nadanad ke nadanad,
Dar jahl-e morakab abad ol dahr bemanad.

*

Who Knows and Who Knows Not?
Original Persian Version of the Ancient Proverb
English Translation: Ahreeman X

He who knows & he knows that he knows,
Jumps the horse of intelligence above the global dome

He who knows & he knows that he knows not,
Sheds light to young and old as a true scholar

He who knows & he knows not that he knows,
Wake him up from his deep sleep

He who knows not & he knows that he knows not,
Reaches his limping donkey to its destination

He who knows not & he knows that he knows,
Can’t escape from his foolishness

He who knows not & he knows not that he knows not,
Will remain in grand ignorance for eternity

*

In his new research, Ahreeman writes:

*

Who Knows and Who Knows Not? (Persian Proverb)
Original Ancient Persian Proverb Poem in Persian and English
Compilation and Translation: Ahreeman X
December 13, 2020

I have researched in old texts and resources to find the origins of this famous proverb. A vast search amongst the ancient poetry, literature and philosophy texts had finally shed a light on the origins of this proverb. This proverb is not only limited to Iran but it is global. This proverb has the characteristic of all three branches:

Read more:

Who Knows and Who Knows Not? (Persian Proverb)
https://iranpoliticsclub.net/poetry/who-knows/index.htm

Persian Poetry Index
https://iranpoliticsclub.net/poetry/index.htm

Regards,
Catayoun Razmjou
IPC Web Mistress
IPC Office
https://iranpoliticsclub.net/

[Nicholas Ginex]

I loved reading the translated Persian poem by Dr. Ahreeman titled, Who Knows and Who Knows Not? Before giving my thoughts to the philosophical poem, it is best to have the reader enjoy the translated version below:

Who Knows and Who Knows Not?

He who knows & he knows that he knows,
Jumps the horse of intelligence above the global dome

He who knows & he knows that he knows not,
Sheds light to young and old as a true scholar

He who knows & he knows not that he knows,
Wake him up from his deep sleep

He who knows not & he knows that he knows not,
Reaches his limping donkey to its destination

He who knows not & he knows that he knows,
Can’t escape from his foolishness

He who knows not & he knows not that he knows not,
Will remain in grand ignorance for eternity

What is admirable about this poem is that thinkers were aware that knowledge is a gift. Some people have the inherent desire to think and figure out the “why” things happen and even, why are we here? Through much introspection, some people are lucky enough to become scholars, deemed the wisest among their peers. Others are humble to admit that the more they learn, the more there is to learn. Others take a defeatist look at themselves and either admit they know nothing or are incapable of knowing anything.

I liked the last phrase,

He who knows not & he knows not that he knows not,
Will remain in grand ignorance for eternity.

This phrase made me laugh for ignorance is bliss. He who knows not may be the happiest person alive or in eternity. Actually, that may not be so bad an existence.

Unhappy is the person who knows that he knows not. For if he or she is not born with a spirit of confidence and love for the blessings they possess, they go through life being despondent over their lack of knowledge of anything.

The greatest gift is the freedom and ability to articulate one’s thoughts and feelings. Such persons are truly alive because they are able to enjoy the thoughts and feelings of others. What could be a more wonderful feeling of happiness then having the companion of another that chooses to know you and, most of all, is willing to share their intimate feelings on both a physical and mental level? This is true love.

Simply, the gift to think, just as I share my thoughts with you now, is wonderful for it makes me feel I am close to you. To impart some of those thoughts that may help others to “see” things from other perspectives, that provide another path to solving a personal problem, brings satisfaction to me and makes my day.

I do know that I don’t know may things. But as long as I’m alive, I want to know more about myself, about others, and enjoy the beauty that exists in others and the world. Yes, knowledge is a wonderful gift, but knowledge based with love is able to have one perceive greater things and allows one to extrapolate ideas previously unknown. This is the gift of life, the ability to think. Sorry are those who are afraid to think beyond their boundaries, such as being rooted in one religion, not able to think out of the box and envision that there are greater ideas that one can enjoy. That may be the reason why I look forward to some day we humans will be fortunate enough to meet Extraterrestrials who would share how they have mastered the universe and impart knowledge that brings a sense of well-being.

For all of you who ponder what you know and if there is more to know, you can be sure that as long as you are able to think and appreciate knowing more in life, you will eventually, become wise. But you need with one other important gift, the ability to love all things in life.

The loving philosopher,

Nicholas