One more dose of Greek philosophy, please.

The phrase “Gnothi Seauton” taken from the entrance to the Temple of Apollo at Delphi means Know Thyself. This along with the term Sophrosyne (Practice Moderation, supposedly at the exit of the temple) are two of the most famous utterings of the Oracle. Gnothi Seauton is also written on the entrance of the Oracle’s room in The Matrix, by the way.

The phrase is meant to warn those who came to consult the oracle that they should look within themselves to understand what the prophecy they were about to hear meant.

These two phrases are crucial to Greek philosophy especially as espoused by Socrates and his followers. For Socrates, the most important knowledge was self-knowledge. He is most famous for the paradoxical statement “I know that I know nothing.” Admitting ones ignorance is the first step towards gaining knowledge.