He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.
Interpretation
Acknowledging one's ignorance can lead to a clearer understanding of truth than holding onto false beliefs.
This quote by Thomas Jefferson emphasizes the importance of humility in knowledge. It suggests that those who recognize their lack of understanding are often more open to discovering the truth than those who are complacently confident in their misguided beliefs. This reflects a deep philosophical perspective on the nature of knowledge and the dangers of ignorance.
In practice
During a debate about misinformation, this quote could highlight the value of acknowledging what we do not know.
The firmness with which the (American) people have withstood the... abuses of the press, the discernment they have manifested between truth and falsehood, show that they may safely be trusted to hear everything true and false and to form a correct judgment between them.
I, place economy among the first & most important republican virtues, & public debt as the greatest of the dangers to be feared
βWe must make our choice between economy and liberty or confusion and servitude...If we run into such debts, we must be taxed in our meat and drink, in our necessities and comforts, in our labor and in our amusements...if we can prevent the government from wasting the labor of the people, under the pretense of caring for them, they will be happy.
Very many and very meritorious were the worthy patriots who assisted in bringing back our government to its republican tack. To preserve it in that, will require unremitting vigilance.
A nation, as a society, forms a moral person, and every member of it is personally responsible for his society.
Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.
When people will not weed their own minds, they are apt to be overrun by nettles.
Yesterday you can't alter, but your reaction to yesterday you can. The past you cannot change, but your response to your past you can.
Ipsa scientia potestas est. (Knowledge itself is power.)
With awareness there comes choice. And so you are able to say: "I allow this moment to be as it is". And then, suddenly, where before there was irritation, there is now a sense of aliveness and peace. And out of that comes right action.
Rest in this - it is His business to lead, command, impel, send, call... It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond.
He who has made it a practice to lie and deceive his father, will be the most daring in deceiving others.
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