Before Socrates became a philosopher, he believed he was a fool. All his friends told him he was a fool, the men he did business with called him a fool, and his wife told him what a fool he was every day, so he took it for granted that since they all agreed, they must be right.

But he thought to himself, maybe even a fool can learn a little wisdom if he listens to what wise men have to say. So he sought out the reputed wisest men in Athens to teach him. They were generally happy to oblige such a humble student, but as he listened to them expound their philosophies he realized they were all fools as well, only they thought they were wise.

And so he finally realized that he was the wisest man in Athens, since all men were fools but most believed themselves wise, while he at least knew that he was a fool.

Realizing that you are a fool is therefore the first step toward attaining true wisdom.