It is often said it is no matter what a man believes if he…
“It is often said it is no matter what a man believes if he is only sincere. This is true of all minor truths, and false of all truths whose nature it is to fashion a man's life. It will make no difference in a man's harvest whether he thinks turnips have more saccharine matter than potatoes--whether corn is better than wheat. But let the man sincerely believe that seed planted without ploughing is as good as with, that January is as favorable for seed sowing as April, and that cockle seed will produce as good a harvest as wheat, and will it make no difference?”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Sincere belief in false premises does not affect outcomes; only true, practical beliefs matter for real results.
In simple terms: Believing nonsense doesn’t change reality.
Key Takeaway
Focus on practical truths.
Themes
belief
truth
practicality
Mood
thoughtful
serious
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- agriculture
- personal decisions
- policy making
- education
Key Concepts
philosophy
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs guide your daily choices?
- How do you test the truth of a belief?
A Different Perspective
Sincere belief in falsehoods can mislead actions.