The adage “do not feign mastery where you have none” serves as a critical, gentle academic principle and, at the same time, an important, frequently overlooked ethical principle in academia. This chapter examines this principle’s historical and philosophical roots in the intellectual tradition of humility. Using examples from contemporary academic culture, we examine how scholars may pretend to have knowledge or expertise for a variety of reasons such as to gain accolades or prestige. Such behaviour has been said to undermine workplace ethics and integrity. This chapter argues for greater transparency in academia around knowledge production and dissemination. Academic staff should be encouraged to recognise their limitations while valuing the contributions of diverse perspectives and what ultimately makes them human. Finally, this chapter proposes strategies for cultivating a culture of humility and intellectual honesty in academia, such as mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and recognising the value of various forms of knowledge.