An imbecile habit has arisen in modern controversy of…
“An imbecile habit has arisen in modern controversy of saying that such and such a creed can be held in one age but cannot be held in another. Some dogma, we are told, was credible in the twelfth century, but is not credible in the twentieth. You might as well say that a certain philosophy can be believed on Mondays, but cannot be believed on Tuesdays. You might as well say of a view of the cosmos that it was suitable to half-past three, but not suitable to half-past four. What a man can believe depends upon his philosophy, not upon the clock or the century.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Beliefs shift with time, yet they are rooted in philosophy, not calendar dates.
In simple terms: Ideas change over time, but philosophy drives belief.
Key Takeaway
Question the basis of your convictions.
Themes
philosophy
belief
relativism
history
truth
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- political discourse
- personal belief crisis
Key Concepts
epistemology
cultural change
temporal context
Questions to Reflect On
- What core philosophy guides you?
- How do you assess timeless truths?
A Different Perspective
Chronology alone cannot justify truth.