Do not believe anything merely because you are told it is…
“Do not believe anything merely because you are told it is so, because others believe it, because it comes from Tradition, or because you have imagined it. Do not believe what your teacher tells you merely out of respect. Believe, take for your doctrine, and hold true to that, which, after serious investigation, seems to you to further the welfare of all beings.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Critical thinking demands evidence beyond authority, tradition, or personal bias.
In simple terms: Question everything before accepting.
Key Takeaway
Seek truth through investigation.
Themes
skepticism
critical thinking
independence
Mood
inquisitive
analytical
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- media consumption
- personal decision making
- education curricula
Key Concepts
philosophy
epistemology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- What standards do you use to evaluate claims?
- How do you balance respect for teachers with independent thought?
A Different Perspective
Blind trust can hinder progress and lead to misinformation.