You don’t know what you don’t know
Though you argue that you know,
Such an argument is baseless
And I shouldn’t have to tell you so.
You can know what you don’t know
But only if you know you don’t know,
When you know that you don’t know
That’s a step to getting in the know.
He that knows that he does not know:
That one is a child and can be taught,
Quite unlike the fool that does not know
And leaves us feeling quite distraught.
He that knows not that he knows not:
The same is a fool and must be shunned,
Of such are many of our leaders today
Who I wish were like King Solomon.
The wisest man that ever lived
Because he confessed that he didn’t know,
And by so admitting this to the One above
Of wisdom was given an abundant store.
Unlike our so-called gifted leaders
That wallow in self-important ignorance,
Solomon turned to the Leader of leaders
And in humility requested guidance.
You don’t know what you don’t know!
Tell this to our world leaders
That attempt to take on God-like status
But invariably are fakes and imposters.
You don’t know what you don’t know!
Tell this to the leaders in the church
That are obsessed with titles of importance
And becoming ineffective experts.
Pardon my harshness if you will
But some have long forgotten their calling
And given their misguided, self-righteous bent,
Many of their constituents are ailing.
You don’t know what you don’t know!
Members of Parliament, can you hear?
The draconian and austerity measures you bring
Are now too much for us to bear.
You don’t know what you don’t know!
Madam Prime Minister, are you listening?
I sincerely hope that you are still aware
Given the numerous trips you are making.
You don’t know what you don’t know
But you can if you are not a fool,
Learning ought to be a life-long endeavor
And the world is everybody’s school.
Stewart Russell © November 24, 2023
