But an escape less self-depreciating was taken by Lord…
“But an escape less self-depreciating was taken by Lord Westbury, who, it is said, rebuffed a barrister's reliance upon an earlier opinion of his Lordship: "I can only say that I am amazed that a man of my intelligence should have been guilty of giving such an opinion". If there are other ways of gracefully and good-naturedly surrendering former views to a better considered position, I invoke them all.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Acknowledges the difficulty of admitting error, yet urges humility and openness to better ideas.
In simple terms: Admitting mistakes is hard but necessary.
Key Takeaway
Embrace humility and revise views.
Themes
humility
intellectual honesty
growth
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- legal debates
- academic discourse
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
self‑deprecation
critical thinking
ethical reasoning
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you admit error without losing authority?
- When is it appropriate to cling to a previous stance?
A Different Perspective
Changing opinions can damage credibility if not handled delicately.