Do you call it doubting to write down on a piece of paper…
“Do you call it doubting to write down on a piece of paper that you doubt? If so, doubt has nothing to do with any serious business. But do not make believe; if pedantry has not eaten all the reality out of you, recognize, as you must, that there is much that you do not doubt, in the least. Now that which you do not at all doubt, you must and do regard as infallible, absolute truth.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage distinguishes between doubting a proposition and doubting the act of doubting, urging confidence in undeniable truths.
In simple terms: Distinguish between questioning and unquestionable truths; trust what you know.
Key Takeaway
Identify and trust your core certainties.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
logic
Mood
analytical
thought‑provoking
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- decision making
- academic research
- personal belief systems
- ethical judgments
Key Concepts
certainty
doubt
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What truths do you hold without question?
- How can healthy doubt improve understanding?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can blind one to new evidence.