[My wife] liked to collect old encyclopedias from…
![“[My wife] liked to collect old encyclopedias from second-hand bookstores, and at one point we had eight of them. When I wrote my first historical novel---back in 1980, before I was online---I used them often as a research tool. For instance, I learned that the Bastille was either 90 feet high or…” quote by Robert Anton Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/75d/robert-anton-wilson-1198_bastille_my-wife-liked-to-collect-old-encyclopedi_864543.jpg)
“[My wife] liked to collect old encyclopedias from second-hand bookstores, and at one point we had eight of them. When I wrote my first historical novel---back in 1980, before I was online---I used them often as a research tool. For instance, I learned that the Bastille was either 90 feet high or 100 feet or 120 feet. This led me to formulate Wilson's 22nd Law: 'Certitude belongs exclusively to those who only look in one encyclopedia.'”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Relying on a single source limits understanding; diverse references broaden certainty.
In simple terms: One source narrows truth.
Key Takeaway
Seek multiple perspectives for confidence.
Themes
research methodology
information diversity
critical thinking
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
essay
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- writing
- historical analysis
Key Concepts
epistemology
source criticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you decide which sources to trust?
- When is it acceptable to rely on a single authority?
A Different Perspective
Too many sources can overwhelm and cause analysis paralysis.