There is a principle which is a bar against all…
“There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance - that principle is contempt prior to investigation.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The quote warns that dismissing information without inquiry leads to perpetual ignorance.
In simple terms: Dismissal without inquiry breeds ignorance.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions before rejecting them.
Themes
ignorance
critical thinking
open-mindedness
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- personal decision making
- media consumption
- political debate
- scientific inquiry
Key Concepts
epistemology
skepticism
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions do you hold without evidence?
- How can you test a belief before dismissing it?
A Different Perspective
It may underestimate the value of healthy skepticism in protecting against misinformation.