Ask a man which way he is going to vote, and he will probably tell you. Ask him, however, why, and vagueness is all.
Bernard LevinRead
No amount of manifest absurdity... could deter those who wanted to believe from believing.
Interpretation
People will cling to their beliefs regardless of contradictory evidence.
This quote reflects on the human tendency to hold onto beliefs even in the face of clear evidence that those beliefs might be irrational or absurd. It highlights the power of conviction and faith, suggesting that the desire to believe can overcome logic and reason.
In practice
In a discussion about the power of faith, this quote can illustrate how beliefs endure despite evidence to the contrary.
Ask a man which way he is going to vote, and he will probably tell you. Ask him, however, why, and vagueness is all.
What has happened to architecture since the second world war that the only passers-by who can contemplate it without pain are those equipped with a white stick and a dog?
If we expected self-reliance of family groups, if we expected hardiness and resilience and initiative on the part of individuals, and if we rewarded initiative instead of dependence on government, we would not only ameliorate many of the family-related social problems we see at present, but we would also reduce our vulnerability to terrorism. People who are hardy, resilient, and self reliant are a lot harder to terrorize.
I'm not one of those people who's so blinded by my own work and my sweat. It's kind of risky writing a memoir when you're really part of a larger universe.
Seal the openings, shut the doors, dull the sharpness, untie the knots, dim the light, become one with the dust. This is called the profound union.
Christianity is not a spectator sport. It's something in which we become totally involved.
Put God in your debt. Every stroke shall be repaid. The longer the payment is with-held, the better for you; for compound interest on compound interest is the rate and usage of this exchequer.
The field of experience is the whole universe in all directions. Theory remains shut up within the limits of human faculties.
If somebody has an extreme amount of wealth and is not using it for some good purpose, only for their own enjoyment or satisfaction, then clearly there's a moral failing in the world in which we live.
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