Truth is new, as well as old. It has new forms; and where…
“Truth is new, as well as old. It has new forms; and where you may find a new statement, an earnest statement, you may conclude that by the law of progress it is more likely to be a correct statement than that which has been repeated for ages by the lips of tradition.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
New statements, even when earnest, are statistically more likely to be correct than long‑repeated traditional claims, reflecting progress’s role in truth.
In simple terms: New, sincere ideas may be more accurate than old, repeated ones.
Key Takeaway
Value fresh, sincere perspectives.
Themes
truth
progress
tradition
logic
epistemology
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research
- debate
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
philosophy of knowledge
scientific method
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we evaluate new versus traditional claims?
- What role does evidence play in accepting new ideas?
A Different Perspective
New ideas can be untested.