Knowledge has two wings. Guessing has only one.

What it means

A one-winged bird rises a little and drops again. Opinion without real knowledge flies the same way. Do the work to know, and your thinking will hold altitude.

The source

"Knowledge has two wings. Guessing has only one." Rumi said it in Masnavi III, Knowledge has two wings. Translated by E. H. Whinfield, 1898.

"Knowledge has two wings, opinion only one wing ; Opinion is weak and lopsided in its flight."

E. H. Whinfield, 1898, Masnavi III, Knowledge has two wings. Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Rumi (1207–1273). Persian poet and Sufi teacher, born near Balkh and settled in Konya. His Masnavi, six books of rhyming couplets, opens with the song of a reed flute.

Questions

What does "Knowledge has two wings. Guessing has only one." mean?

A one-winged bird rises a little and drops again. Opinion without real knowledge flies the same way. Do the work to know, and your thinking will hold altitude.

Who said "Knowledge has two wings. Guessing has only one."?

Rumi (1207–1273). Source: Masnavi III, Knowledge has two wings.

What is the original wording?

Knowledge has two wings, opinion only one wing ; Opinion is weak and lopsided in its flight (E. H. Whinfield, 1898). Translated by E. H. Whinfield, 1898.

Is "Knowledge has two wings. Guessing has only one." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Knowledge has two wings. Guessing has only one." (Rumi, Masnavi III, Knowledge has two wings, trans. E. H. Whinfield, 1898). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/knowledge-has-two-wings-guessing-has-only-one