Without self-knowledge there is no understanding.

没有自知就没有理解。

youdao

In an honest, moving and simple memoir which shows self-knowledge without self-indulgence, Ms Laber describes her background as the daughter of a self-made Russian-Jewish entrepreneur in New York who discouraged her fascination with Russian culture.

ECONOMIST: Human rights

Hank Greenberg was intelligent but, on the evidence Mr. Rosengren provides, without keen self-knowledge.

WSJ: Book Review: Hank Greenberg