Briefly, then, we dismiss the two opposite dangers of…
““Briefly, then, we dismiss the two opposite dangers of bigotry and fanaticism, bigotry which is a too great vagueness and fanaticism which is a too great concentration. We say that the cure for the bigot is belief; we say that the cure for the idealist is ideas. To know the best theories of existence and to choose the best from them (that is, to the best of our own strong conviction) appears to us the proper way to be neither bigot nor fanatic, but something more firm than a bigot and more terrible than a fanatic, a man with a definite opinion. But that definite opinion must in this view begin with the basic matters of human thought, and these must not be dismissed as irrelevant, as religion, for instance, is too often in our days dismissed as irrelevant. Even if we think religion insoluble, we cannot think it irrelevant. Even if we ourselves have no view of the ultimate verities, we must feel that wherever such a view exists in a man it must be more important than anything else in him.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Balancing open‑mindedness with conviction avoids both intolerance and extreme zeal, urging thoughtful engagement with fundamental ideas, including religion.
In simple terms: Avoid extremes; hold firm, thoughtful opinions.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate informed, balanced beliefs.
Themes
tolerance
conviction
moderation
philosophy
religion
Mood
reflective
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- public discourse
- personal belief formation
- education
- interfaith dialogue
Key Concepts
Epistemology
dogmatism
faith
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you test your convictions without becoming rigid?
- What role should religion play in modern reasoning?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on certainty can still become dogmatic.