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Where two principles really do meet which cannot be reconciled with one another, then each man declares the other a fool and a heretic
Ludwig Wittgenstein
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Interpretation

What this quote means

When opposing principles clash, individuals often label the other side as foolish or misguided.

This quote by Ludwig Wittgenstein highlights the human tendency to dismiss opposing viewpoints as irrational or erroneous when two fundamentally different principles come into conflict. Instead of seeking understanding or reconciliation, individuals may resort to labeling the opposition as fools or heretics, demonstrating a barrier to constructive dialogue and mutual understanding.

Themes

PrinciplesConflictUnderstandingDialogueFoolHeretic

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in a debate to remind participants to remain open-minded.

More from Ludwig Wittgenstein

If we spoke a different language, we would perceive a somewhat different world.
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One cannot guess how a word functions. One has to look at its use and learn from that. But the difficulty is to remove the prejudice which stands in the way of doing this. It is not a stupid prejudice.
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No one likes having offended another person; hence everyone feels so much better if the other person doesn't show he's been offended. Nobody likes being confronted by a wounded spaniel. Remember that. It is much easier patiently - and tolerantly - to avoid the person you have injured than to approach him as a friend. You need courage for that.
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It's impossible for me to say one word about all that music has meant to me in my life. How, then, can I hope to be understood?
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Nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself.
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My day passes between logic, whistling, going for walks, and being depressed. I wish to God that I were more intelligent and everything would finally become clear to me - or else that I needn't live much longer.
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