Truth quotes

Truth

3.1K quotes on this topic — from poets, philosophers, and thinkers across history.

3.1K quotes

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Truth quotes (page 71 of 158)

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Gilbert K. Chesterton Writer, Journalist
Truth

"The life of a thinking man will probably be divided into two parts -- the first in which he desires to exterminate modern thinkers, and the second in which he desires to watch them exterminating each other. ... Suppose, for instance, there is an old story and a new skeptic who is skeptical of the story. We have only to wait a little while for a yet newer skeptic who is skeptical of the skeptic. He will probably find the old notion actually a help in his new notion. This process is an abstract truth applying to anything, apart from agreement or disagreement."

Thinking Men Truth
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Gilbert K. Chesterton Writer, Journalist
Truth

"Christian Science … is the direct denial both of science and of Christianity, for Science rests wholly on the recognition of truth and Christianity on the recognition of pain."

Christian Pain Truth
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Gilbert K. Chesterton Writer, Journalist
Truth

"There is a case for telling the truth; there is a case for avoiding the scandal; but there is no possible defense for the man who tells the scandal, but does not tell the truth"

Men Truth Honesty
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Leonardo da Vinci Artist, Scientist, Inventor
Truth

"There is no doubt that truth is to falsehood as light is to darkness; and so excellent a thing is truth that even when it touches humble and lowly matters, it still incomparably exceeds the uncertainty and falsehood in which great and elevated discourses are clothed; because even if falsehood be the fifth element of our minds, notwithstanding this, truth is the supreme nourishment of the higher intellects."

Light Truth Humble
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Henry Adams Historian
Truth

"If our minds could get hold of one abstract truth, they would be immortal so far as that truth is concerned. My trouble is to find out how we can get hold of the truth at all."

Mind Would Be Truth
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Henry Adams Historian
Truth

"One sought not absolute truth. One sought only a spool on which to wind the thread of history without breaking it."

Truth Wind History
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Henry David Thoreau Writer, Philosopher
Truth

"Tom Hyde, the tinker, standing on the gallows, was asked if he had anything to say. "Tell the tailors," said he, "to remember to make a knot in their thread before they take the first stitch." His companion's prayer is forgotten."

Firsts Prayer Truth
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Henry David Thoreau Writer, Philosopher
Truth

"As for the tenets of the Brahmans, we are not so much concerned to know what doctrines they held, as that they were held by any. We can tolerate all philosophies.... It is the attitude of these men, more than any communication which they make, that attracts us."

Philosophy Attitude Truth
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Henry David Thoreau Writer, Philosopher
Truth

"Exaggeration! was ever any virtue attributed to a man without exaggeration? was ever any vice, without infinite exaggeration? Do we not exaggerate ourselves to ourselves, or do we recognize ourselves for the actual men we are? Are we not all great men? Yet what are we actually, to speak of? We live by exaggeration."

Men Truth Vices
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Henry David Thoreau Writer, Philosopher
Truth

"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself. Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth."

Years Giving Truth
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Henry David Thoreau Writer, Philosopher
Truth

"Between whom there is hearty truth, there is love; and in proportion to our truthfulness and confidence in one another, our lives are divine and miraculous, and answer to our ideal. . . . Friends do not live in harmony merely, as some say, but in melody."

Life Truth Answers
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