Accepting Quote by Albert Schweitzer
“But merely accepting authoritarian truth, even if that truth has some virtue, does not bring skepticism to an end. To blindly accept a truth one has never reflected upon retards the advance of reason. Our world rots in deceit. . . . Just as a tree bears the same fruit year after year and at the same time fruit that is new each year, so must all permanently valuable ideas be continually created anew in thought. But our age pretends to make a sterile tree bear fruit by tying fruits of truth onto its branches.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Philosophy of Civilization, Albert Schweitzer, 1931
Accepting unexamined authority hinders critical thinking; ideas must be constantly reexamined and renewed.
In simple terms: Blind acceptance blocks reason; keep questioning ideas.
Key Takeaway
Continuously question and refresh your beliefs.
Themes
skepticism
critical thinking
intellectual renewal
Mood
thoughtful
concerned
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic research
- public policy
- personal belief systems
- media consumption
Key Concepts
philosophy
epistemology
truth
renewal
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you test the validity of widely accepted ideas?
- What practices help you keep your thinking fresh?
A Different Perspective
Blind trust can lead to stagnation and manipulation.
