One makes mistakes; that is life. But it is never a mistake to have loved.
Romain RollandRead
Discussion is impossible with someone who claims not to seek the truth, but already to possess it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of open-mindedness in discussions and the difficulty of engaging with those who believe they already have all the answers.
Romain Rolland's quote highlights the challenges of meaningful dialogue when one party is not willing to explore the truth. When individuals become convinced of their own absolute understanding, they close themselves off from new ideas and perspectives, rendering constructive conversation futile. Genuine discourse requires a shared commitment to seeking truth rather than defending preconceived notions, which can lead to stagnation in understanding and growth.
Themes
DiscussionTruthUnderstandingKnowledgeOpen-Mindedness
In practice
Example use cases
During a debate, you can use this quote to highlight the need for humility in understanding differing viewpoints.
More from Romain Rolland
All quotes βThe greatest human ideal is the great cause of bringing together the thoughts of Europe and Asia; the great soul of India will topple our world.
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I find war detestable but those who praise it without participating in it even more so.
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Skepticism, riddling the faith of yesterday, prepared the way for the faith of tomorrow.
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Each man must learn his own ideal and try to accomplish it: that is a surer way of progress than to take the ideas of another.
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The true Vedantic spirit does not start out with a system of preconceived ideas. It possesses absolute liberty and unrivalled courage among religions with regard to the facts to be observed and the diverse hypotheses it has laid down for their coordination. Never having been hampered by a priestly order, each man has been entirely free to search wherever he pleased for the spiritual explanation of the spectacle of the universe.
Romain RollandRead
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