What can be asserted without evidence can be dismissed without evidence.
Interpretation
Claims that lack evidence can be easily disregarded.
This quote by Christopher Hitchens emphasizes the importance of evidence in supporting claims. It suggests that any assertion made without proper proof is not only weak but can also be dismissed by others without justification. This highlights the value of critical thinking and rational discourse in evaluating ideas and arguments.
In practice
In a debate, one might use this quote to challenge an opponent's unsupported assertions.
In a public dialogue with Salman in London he [Edward Said] had once described the Palestinian plight as one where his people, expelled and dispossessed by Jewish victors, were in the unique historical position of being 'the victims of the victims': there was something quasi-Christian, I thought, in the apparent humility of that statement.
Never ask while you are doing it if what you are doing is fun. Don't introduce even your most reliably witty acquaintance as someone who will set the table on a roar.
[E]xceptional claims demand exceptional evidence.
The worst days are when you feel foggy in the head - chemo-brain they call it. It's awful because you feel boring. As well as bored. And stupid. And resigned.
Let me tell you something: for hundreds of thousands of years, this kind of discussion would have been impossible to have, or those like us would have been having it at the risk of our lives. Religion now comes to us in this smiley-face, ingratiating way β because itβs had to give so much more ground and because we know so much more. But youβve got no right to forget the way it behaved when it was strong, and when it really did believe that it had God on its side.
I boldly assert, in fact I think I know, that a lot of friendships and connections absolutely depend upon a sort of shared language, or slang. Not necessarily designed to exclude others, this can establish a certain comity and, even after a long absence, re-establish it in a second.
He who understands the limits of life knows that it is easy to obtain that which removes the pain of want and makes the whole of life complete and perfect. Thus he has no longer any need of things which involve struggle.
We are confronted by the appearance of social institutions unintentionally created, vital for the welfare of society, which are not the result of reasoned planning
The land was ours before we were the land's. She was our land more than a hundred years Before we were her people.
Youth is an unpleasant period; for then it is not possible or not prudent to be productive in any sense whatsoever.
If God created us in his own image, we have more than reciprocated.
Everything I do is somehow rooted in humanity. It's always about people; it's always about ego. It's always about desperation. It's quite existential. You know, 'Am I leading a good life?' That might be because I'm an atheist, and I think this is all we've got, so you better be nice. And have fun.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.