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Doctrine is nothing but the skin of truth set up and stuffed.
Henry Ward Beecher
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote suggests that doctrines can often be superficial, masking the deeper truths within.

Henry Ward Beecher's quote highlights the idea that doctrines, while they may appear to hold truth, can often be mere shells that lack the substance of genuine understanding. This statement invites us to critically examine the beliefs and systems we may take for granted, prompting a search for deeper meaning beyond established norms.

Themes

DoctrineTruthWisdomBeliefUnderstanding

In practice

Example use cases

In a lecture about critical thinking, this quote can illustrate the importance of questioning accepted beliefs.

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There are joys which long to be ours. God sends ten thousands truths, which come about us like birds seeking inlet; but we are shut up to them, and so they bring us nothing, but sit and sing awhile upon the roof, and then fly away.
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