Bertrand Russell
Philosopher, Mathematician
"We must be skeptical even of our skepticism."
Skepticism quotes
Skepticism
64 quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.
Emile M. Cioran
Philosopher, Essayist
"Skepticism is the sadism of embittered souls."
Robert Anton Wilson
Author, Philosopher
"Only the madman is absolutely sure."
Napoleon Bonaparte
Military Leader, Emperor
"Skepticism is a virtue in history as well as in philosophy."
George Santayana
Philosopher, Poet
"Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect..."
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Browse quotes that often appear alongside skepticism — connected by shared ideas and recurring themes.
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Skepticism quotes (page 1 of 4)
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"Sceptics are yet the most credulous."
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"Great intellects are skeptical."
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"In my life, the only certainty is to be uncertain. I'm an unbeliever who believes in skepticism. I'm only sure about being unsure."
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"The virtues of science are skepticism and independence of thought."
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"I prefer credulity to skepticism and cynicism for there is more promise in almost anything than in nothing at all."
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"Healthy scepticism is the basis of all accurate observation."
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"Skepticism is unbelief in cause and effect."
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"To believe in luck ... is skepticism."
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"There is no better soporific and sedative than skepticism."
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"Everything we know is only some kind of approximation, because we know that we do not know all the laws yet. Therefore, things must be learned only to be unlearned again or, more likely, to be corrected."
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"It is assumed that the skeptic has no bias; whereas he has a very obvious bias in favour of skepticism."
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"Skepticism is the elegance of anxiety."
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"Everywhere, except in theology, there has been a vigorous growth of skepticism about skepticism itself."
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"The city of truth cannot be built on the swampy ground of skepticism."
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"Skepticism is slow suicide."
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"Who shall forbid a wise skepticism, seeing that there is no practical question on which anything more than an approximate solution can be had?"
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"Skepticism doesn't help you hear."
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"Realism is punishing. Probabilistic skepticism is worse."
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"Scepticismcan never be thoroughly applied, else life would come to a standstill."
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"The most outrageous lies that can be invented will find believers if a person only tells them with all his might."
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