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The Ten Commandments that, as a teacher, I should wish to…

“The Ten Commandments that, as a teacher, I should wish to promulgate, might be set forth as follows: 1- Do not feel absolutely certain of anything. 2- Do not think it worth while to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light. 3- Never try to discourage thinking for…” quote by Russell Bertrand
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““The Ten Commandments that, as a teacher, I should wish to promulgate, might be set forth as follows: 1- Do not feel absolutely certain of anything. 2- Do not think it worth while to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light. 3- Never try to discourage thinking for you are sure to succeed. 4- When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your husband or your children, endeavor to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory. 5- Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found. 6- Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you. 7- Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric. 8- Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent than in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter. 9- Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it. 10- Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool’s paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness.””

Russell Bertrand

About This Quote

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

Encourages skepticism, transparency, and dissent as paths to truth and personal freedom.

In simple terms: Question authority and seek truth.

Key Takeaway

Practice critical, daily.

Themes

skepticism truth freedom

Mood

inspirational challenging

Type

lecture philosophical

When to use this quote

  • academic debate
  • political discourse
  • personal decision making
  • media consumption

Key Concepts

philosophy ethics critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

  • What beliefs do you hold without evidence?
  • How can you balance doubt with action?
A Different Perspective

Over‑skepticism can lead to paralysis.

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