It's possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in…
“It's possible that I shall make an ass of myself. But in that case one can always get out of it with a little dialectic. I have, of course, so worded my proposition as to be right either way.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
One can protect oneself from embarrassment by framing arguments so they appear correct regardless of outcome, using dialectical reasoning.
In simple terms: Make arguments flexible to avoid looking wrong.
Key Takeaway
Use adaptable reasoning to stay resilient.
Themes
philosophy
logic
self‑protection
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- debates
- public speaking
- academic writing
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
dialectics
argumentation
Questions to Reflect On
- When is adaptable reasoning ethical?
- Does this approach hinder genuine truth‑seeking?
A Different Perspective
Such flexibility may undermine intellectual honesty.