“It is impossible for a man to learn what he thinks he already knows.” – Epictetus

There’s a wonderful expression: You have two ears and one mouth and it’s best to use them in that proportion.

And yet, how often do we find ourselves speaking more than we listen? This is a symptom of a bigger problem, especially among the successful, which is to assume they know more than they do. Or worse: That they know so much that there’s nothing left to learn. Consider what happens when you let your ego get in the way of your education. You miss out on one of life’s essential pieces: growth.

What does the reverse look like? Humility. Being humble about what you do not know and about what you have left to learn is the surest path to continued wisdom. It’s the best cure for arrogance, haughtiness, and all their cousins. Perhaps most importantly, it keeps you growing.