QuoteProject
By doubting we are led to question, by questioning we arrive at the truth.
Peter Abelard
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Doubt and questioning are essential for discovering the truth.

This quote by Peter Abelard emphasizes the importance of skepticism and inquiry in the pursuit of knowledge. By allowing ourselves to doubt what we know, we cultivate a mindset that questions established beliefs, ultimately leading us toward a deeper understanding of truth.

Themes

DoubtQuestioningTruthKnowledgePhilosophy

In practice

Example use cases

In a classroom discussion about scientific methods, this quote can inspire students to think critically.

More from Peter Abelard

The key to wisdom is this - constant and frequent questioning, for by doubting we are led to question and by questioning we arrive at the truth.
Peter AbelardRead
We call an intention good which is right in itself, but the action is good, not because it contains within it some good, but because it issues from a good intention.
Peter AbelardRead
And now, my friend, I am going to expose to you all my weaknesses. All men, I believe, are under a necessity of paying tribute at some time or other to Love, and it is vain to strive to avoid it. I was a philosopher, yet this tyrant of the mind triumphed over all my wisdom; his darts were of greater force than all my reasonings, and with a sweet constraint he led me wherever he pleased.
Peter AbelardRead
Are you not moved to tears and bitter compassion, when you behold the only Son of God seized by the most impious, dragged away, mocked, scourged, buffeted, spit upon, crowned with thorns, hung upon the infamous cross between two thieves, finally in such a horrible and execrable manner suffering death, for your salvation and that of the world?
Peter AbelardRead
Our redemption through the suffering of Christ is that deeper love within us which not only frees us from slavery to sin, but also secures for us the true liberty of the children of God, in order that we might do all things out of love rather than out of fear - love for him that has shown us such grace that no greater can be found.
Peter AbelardRead
In doubting we come to inquiry; by inquiry we perceive the truth.
Peter AbelardRead

Similar quotes

He whose intellect overcomes his lust is higher than the angels; he whose lust overcomes his intelligence is less than an animal.
RumiRead
What I propose, therefore, is very simple: it is nothing more than to think what we are doing
Hannah ArendtRead
Nothing teaches us about the preciousness of the Creator as much as when we learn the emptiness of everything else.
Charles SpurgeonRead
Any psychology of sign systems will be part of social psychology - that is to say, will be exclusively social; it will involve the same psychology as is applicable in the case of languages.
Ferdinand De SaussureRead
With equality of experience and of general faculties, a woman usually sees much more than a man of what is immediately before her.
John Stuart MillRead
I suppose you inevitably fall into habits of expression.
Seamus HeaneyRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Peter Abelard | QuoteProject