TRUTH QUOTES XIV

quotations about truth

There are and can be only two ways of searching into and discovering truth. The one flies from the senses and particulars to the most general axioms, and from these principles, the truth of which it takes for settled and immovable, proceeds to judgment and to the discovery of middle axioms. And this way is now in fashion. The other derives axioms from the senses and particulars, rising by a gradual and unbroken ascent, so that it arrives at the most general axioms last of all. This is the true way, but as yet untried.

FRANCIS BACON

Novum Organum


The most effectual method of expelling error, is, not to meet it sword in hand, but gradually to instill great truths, with which it cannot easily coexist.

WILLIAM E. CHANNING

Thoughts

Tags: William E. Channing


If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.

OSCAR WILDE

The Nightingale and the Rose

Tags: Oscar Wilde


Generally speaking, "truth" is a statement about what is perceived as real. And the truth is that truth is always contested. Facts can always be challenged and interpreted differently. If shared by many in a society, truths turn into societal beliefs.

CORA PFAFFEROTT

"Is 'post-truth' just a convenient lie?", Chron, January 23, 2017


If truth is the lure, humans are fishes.

JANE HIRSHFIELD

"If Truth Is the Lure, Humans Are Fishes"


I never encourage deceit, and falsehood, especially if you have got a bad memory, is the worst enemy a fellow can have. The fact is truth is your truest friend, no matter what the circumstances are.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

letter to George E. Pickett, February 22, 1841

Tags: Abraham Lincoln


There is truth and falsehood in a comma.

TOM STOPPARD

The Invention of Love

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The truth may often be carried about by those who themselves remain all unaware of it. They bear that which has weight and substance and yet for them has no name whereby it may be evoked or called forth. They go about ignorant of the true nature of their condition, such are the wiles of truth and such its stratagems.

CORMAC MCCARTHY

The Crossing

Tags: Cormac McCarthy


Only the dead know the truth.

LEONID ANDREYEV

Savva

Tags: Leonid Andreyev


You present the facts and let the people decide whether they want to believe the rumours or go by the facts. Truth is always the best counter.

D.S. HOODA

"In Kashmir, rumours fly faster than truth", The Kashmir Monitor, April 24, 2017


In all perception of the truth there is a divine ecstasy, an inexpressible delirium of joy, as when a youth embraces his betrothed virgin.

HENRY DAVID THOREAU

Familiar Letters


I am sure, zeal or love for truth can never permit falsehood to be used in the defence of it.

JOHN LOCKE

The Reasonableness of Christianity


Our mind is dreadfully active sometimes, and the other day we began to speculate on Truth. Our friends are still avoiding us. Every man knows what Truth is, but it is impossible to utter it. The face of your listener, his eyes mirthful or sorry, his eager expectance or his churlish disdain insensibly distort your message. You find yourself saying what you know he expects you to say, or (more often) what he expects you not to say. You may not be aware of this, but that is what happens. In order that the world may go on and human beings thrive, nature has contrived that the Truth may not often be uttered.

CHRISTOPHER MORLEY

"Truth", Mince Pie


If it were true what in the end would be gained? Nothing but another truth. Is this such a mighty advantage? We have enough old truths still to digest, and even these we would be quite unable to endure if we did not sometimes flavor them with lies.

GEORG CHRISTOPH LICHTENBERG

"Notebook E", Aphorisms

Tags: Georg Christoph Lichtenberg


With the truth, all given facts harmonize; but with what is false, the truth soon hits a wrong note.

ARISTOTLE

Nicomachean Ethics


An ingenious web of probabilities is the surest screen a wise man can place between himself and the truth.

GEORGE ELIOT

Adam Bede

Tags: George Eliot


Error is related to truth as sleep to waking. I have observed that on awakening from error a man turns again to truth as with new vigour.

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

The Maxims and Reflections of Goethe


The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.

FLANNERY O'CONNOR

letter, September 6, 1955

Tags: Flannery O'Connor


Truth, like good medicine, is oftentimes repugnant to our present feelings, but gives vigour afterwards.

EDWARD COUNSEL

Maxims


Whatever truth you contribute to the world will be one lucky shot in a thousand misses. You cannot be right by holding your breath and taking precautions.

WALTER LIPPMANN

"Taking a Chance", Force and Ideas: The Early Writings

Tags: Walter Lippmann