Others indeed may talk, and write, and fight about liberty, and make an outward pretence to it but the free-thinker alone is truly free.
George BerkeleyRead
Truth is the cry of all, but the game of few.
Interpretation
Truth is universally sought after but often not pursued deeply by many.
The quote by George Berkeley suggests that while everyone claims to value truth and desires it, only a few individuals genuinely engage in the pursuit of understanding and uncovering deeper truths. This implies that seeking truth requires effort, dedication, and a willingness to confront complex ideas, which many may shy away from in favor of more superficial understandings.
In practice
During a discussion on ethics, one might say this quote to emphasize the importance of pursuing truth.
Others indeed may talk, and write, and fight about liberty, and make an outward pretence to it but the free-thinker alone is truly free.
To be is to be perceived (Esse est percipi)." Or, "If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?
All the choir of heaven and furniture of earth - in a word, all those bodies which compose the frame of the world - have not any subsistence without a mind.
The same principles which at first view lead to skepticism, pursued to a certain point, bring men back to common sense.
Many things, for aught I know, may exist, whereof neither I nor any other man hath or can have any idea or notion whatsoever.
A ray of imagination or of wisdom may enlighten the universe, and glow into remotest centuries.
I am he as you are he as you are me and we are all together.
While people are often content to criticize and blame others for what goes wrong, surely we should at least attempt to put forward constructive ideas. One thing is for certain: given human beings' love of truth, justice, peace, and freedom, creating a better, more compassionate world is a genuine possibility. The potential is there.
Let me give you a word of the philosophy of reform. The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows that all concessions yet made to her august claims, have been born of earnest struggle. The conflict has been exciting, agitating, all-absorbing, and for the time being, putting all other tumults to silence. It must do this or it does nothing. If there is no struggle there is no progress.
Shrinking away from death is something unhealthy and abnormal which robs the second half of life of its purpose.
Itβs no company at all, when people know nothing and say nothing,β she muttered.
Jesus was much more interested in the quality of the people's response to him than in the quantity of the crowd.
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