I give myself credit for having seen clearly in a number…
““I give myself credit for having seen clearly in a number of important situations. In itself, this is not so difficult to achieve, and yet it is rather unusual. To my mind, it is less a question of an exalted or shrewd intelligence, than of good sense, goodwill, and a certain sort of courage to enable one to rise above both the pressures of one's environment and the natural inclination to close one's eyes to facts, a temptation that arises from our immediate interests and from the fear which problems inspire in us. A French essayist has said: 'What is terrible when you seek the truth, is that you find it.' You find it, and then you are no longer free to follow the biases of your personal circle, or to accept fashionable clichés.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
True insight comes from good sense, goodwill, and courage rather than sheer intellect; confronting facts despite fear frees one from bias.
In simple terms: Courage and good sense reveal truth beyond bias.
Key Takeaway
Seek truth with courage.
Themes
courage
truth
bias
intellect
Mood
thought‑provoking
serious
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- journalism
- science
- personal decision‑making
- leadership
Key Concepts
critical thinking
ethical integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- What biases do you resist?
- How do you balance truth with personal safety?
A Different Perspective
Truth can be uncomfortable and socially costly.