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Any doctrine that will not bear investigation is not a fit…

“Any doctrine that will not bear investigation is not a fit tenant for the mind of an honest man. Any doctrine that will not bear investigation is not a fit tenant for the mind of an honest man. Any man who is afraid to have his doctrine investigated is not only a coward but a hypocrite.” quote by Robert G. Ingersoll
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““Any doctrine that will not bear investigation is not a fit tenant for the mind of an honest man. Any doctrine that will not bear investigation is not a fit tenant for the mind of an honest man. Any man who is afraid to have his doctrine investigated is not only a coward but a hypocrite.””

Robert G. Ingersoll

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Ideas must withstand scrutiny; avoiding investigation shows cowardice and hypocrisy.

In simple terms: Test ideas, avoid blind faith.

Key Takeaway

Demand evidence for beliefs.

Themes

critical thinking skepticism intellectual honesty

Mood

skeptical provocative

Type

philosophical educational

When to use this quote

  • academic debate
  • policy making
  • personal belief systems

Key Concepts

philosophy rational inquiry

Questions to Reflect On

  • How to handle deeply held untestable beliefs?
  • What protects societies from endless doubt?
A Different Perspective

Some doctrines resist testing for social stability.

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