I will follow my logic, no matter where it goes, after it has consulted with my heart. If you ever come to a conclusion without calling the heart in, you will come to a bad conclusion.
Robert Green IngersollRead
The American people do not like neutrality. They would rather a man were on the wrong side than on neither.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People prefer decisiveness and taking a stand over being neutral, even if it means choosing incorrectly.
In this quote, Robert Green Ingersoll emphasizes the tendency of people to favor clear positions and decisions over ambivalence. By suggesting that the American people would rather have someone openly take a side, even if it is wrong, he implies that neutrality is often seen as a weakness, highlighting the importance of commitment and the courage to express oneβs beliefs.
Themes
NeutralityDecisivenessCommitmentAmbivalencePosition
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about political views, someone might cite this quote to argue that having a clear stance is better than remaining neutral.
More from Robert Green Ingersoll
All quotes βIf the guardians of society, the protectors of 'young persons,' could have had their way, we should have known nothing of Byron or Shelley. The voices that thrill the world would now be silent.
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The religion that has to be supported by law is without value, not only, but a fraud and a curse. The religious argument that has to be supported by a musket is hardly worth making.
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There is no slavery but ignorance.
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In all ages the people have honored those who dishonored them. They have worshiped their destroyers; they have canonized the most gigantic liars, and buried the great thieves in marble and gold. Under the loftiest monuments sleeps the dust of murder.
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I believe that there is something far nobler than loyalty to any particular man. Loyalty to the truth as we perceive it - loyalty to our duty as we know it - loyalty to the ideals of our brain and heart - is, to my mind, far greater and far nobler than loyalty to the life of any particular man or God. . . .
Robert Green IngersollRead
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