This is a story told to me by my Greek Mythology professor:

Socrates once had a student who declared his teacher as "The wisest man in the world." He decided to let down his student by gently saying, "No, I am not." The student, still sure of himself and his belief in his teacher, decided to take this issue to the Oracle.

Now the Oracle spoke only the truth, and no one even thought of doubting it.

The way the Oracle discerned the truth was for a person to ask a yes/no question to a priest or priestess. The priest or priestess would then reach into a bowl of sand which contained one black and one white ball. He or She would select a ball without looking--by feel alone--and reveal the answer: black meaning "No" and white meaning "Yes."

So the student asked his question: "Is Socrates the wisest man in the world?"

The ball was selected. It was white.

The student ran home to tell the good news to his master.

Socrates sputtered in confusion, "But...I know NOTHING!"

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