In matters of religion, it is very easy to deceive a man and very hard to undeceive him.
Pierre BayleRead
The antiquity and general acceptance of an opinion is not assurance of its truth.
Interpretation
Just because an idea is old and widely believed does not mean it is true.
This quote emphasizes the importance of skepticism and critical thinking. It suggests that the age and popularity of an opinion do not validate its truthfulness, encouraging individuals to seek evidence and reasoning rather than accept ideas solely based on tradition or majority belief.
In practice
This quote can be used in a debate about popular myths in society.
In matters of religion, it is very easy to deceive a man and very hard to undeceive him.
Why is geometry often described as cold and dry? One reason lies in its inability to describe the shape of a cloud, a mountain, a coastline or a tree.
The worst evil is - and that's the product of censorship - is the self-censorship, because that twists spines, that destroys my character because I have to think something else and say something else, I have to always control myself.
Wealth is a tool of freedom, but the pursuit of wealth is the way to slavery.
Pure libertarianism believes that people will be generous and help each other. Well, they won't. I wish it were so, and I live that way. I help panhandlers, but other people are, 'Oh look at that - why doesn't he get a job?' While I believe in all that freedom, I also believe that no one should suffer needlessly.
Become the director, producer, choreographer of your own story
The heart is just the heart; thoughts and feelings are just thoughts and feelings. Let things be just as they are.
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