When I am convinced of any principle, it is only an idea…
“When I am convinced of any principle, it is only an idea which strikes more strongly upon me. When I give the preference to one set of arguments above another, I do nothing but decide from my feeling concerning the superiority of their influence.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
We judge principles by how strongly they affect us, not by objective reasoning alone.
In simple terms: Feelings guide our acceptance of ideas.
Key Takeaway
Recognize emotional bias in reasoning.
Themes
philosophy
psychology
epistemology
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- debate
- personal decision making
- ethical judgments
Key Concepts
subjective perception
emotional reasoning
Questions to Reflect On
- How do emotions shape your beliefs?
- Can you separate feeling from logic?
A Different Perspective
Rational analysis may overlook facts.