---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think I have fairly heard and fairly…"
description: "\"I think I have fairly heard and fairly weighed the evidence on both sides, and I remain an utter disbeliever in almost all that you consider the most s..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/alfred-russel-wallace-18563_admire_i-think-i-have-fairly-heard-and-fairly-w_102223.jpg"
---

#  I think I have fairly heard and fairly weighed the…

![“I think I have fairly heard and fairly weighed the evidence on both sides, and I remain an utter disbeliever in almost all that you consider the most sacred truths... I can see much to admire in all religions... But whether there be a God and whatever be His nature; whether we have an immortal…” quote by Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/alfred-russel-wallace-18563_admire_i-think-i-have-fairly-heard-and-fairly-w_102223.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/alfred-russel-wallace-18563_admire_i-think-i-have-fairly-heard-and-fairly-w_102223.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/alfred-russel-wallace-18563_admire_i-think-i-have-fairly-heard-and-fairly-w_102223.jpg)

> “I think I have fairly heard and fairly weighed the evidence on both sides, and I remain an utter disbeliever in almost all that you consider the most sacred truths... I can see much to admire in all religions... But whether there be a God and whatever be His nature; whether we have an immortal soul or not, or whatever may be our state after death, I can have no fear of having to suffer for the study of nature and the search for truth.”

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

## About This Quote

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

Wallace states he respects religious traditions but remains skeptical of their ultimate claims, emphasizing a fearlessness in pursuing scientific truth regardless of metaphysical consequences.

**In simple terms:** I respect religions but stay skeptical, fearing no punishment for seeking truth.

Key Takeaway

Intellectual freedom can coexist with religious respect.

Themes

science religion skepticism philosophy freedom of thought

Mood

analytical respectful

Type

philosophical essay personal reflection

When to use this quote

- academic debates
- interfaith dialogues
- science education
- public policy discussions

Key Concepts

epistemic humility secular ethics

Practical Applications

- encourage open inquiry without fear of dogma
- facilitate respectful discourse between scientists and believers

Questions to Reflect On

- Can one fully separate belief from inquiry?
- How does respect for religion influence scientific progress?

A Different Perspective

His stance may overlook the emotional comfort religion provides to many.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[After death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/after-death/) [Both sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/both-sides/) [Disbelievers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disbelievers/) [Immortal soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immortal-soul/) [Sacred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacred/) [Search for truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/search-for-truth/) [Soul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/soul/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/)

## Related quotes

> [“{ Letter to his brother, 1861 } ... I remain an utter disbeliever in almost all that you consider the most sacred truths... But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/letter-to-his-brother-1861-i-remain-an-utter-disbeliever-in-almost/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [I am thankful I can see much to admire in all religions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/i-am-thankful-i-can-see-much-to-admire-in-all-religions/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [Life Insurance trusts I consider sacred. To hazard the property of the dead & to lose the scanty earnings of fathers & husbands, who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-e-lee/life-insurance-trusts-i-consider-sacred-to-hazard-the-property-of-the/)

[Robert E. Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/)

> [The sacred truth of science is that there are no sacred truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/the-sacred-truth-of-science-is-that-there-are-no-sacred-truths/)

[Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/)

> [There are no forbidden questions in science, no matters too sensitive or delicate to be probed, no sacred truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/there-are-no-forbidden-questions-in-science-no-matters-too-sensitive/)

[Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/)

> [I like to honor my West African and Taino ancestry, I consider it sacred and divine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/princess-nokia/i-like-to-honor-my-west-african-and-taino-ancestry-i-consider-it/)

[Princess Nokia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/princess-nokia/)

> [One way of celebrating the Solstice is to consider it a sacred time of reflection, release, restoration, and renewal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/one-way-of-celebrating-the-solstice-is-to-consider-it-a-sacred-time/)

[Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/)

> [The self-assured believer is a greater sinner in the eyes of God than the troubled disbeliever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-self-assured-believer-is-a-greater-sinner-in-the-eyes-of-god-than/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [If God is all good, then He is not all powerful. If God is all powerful, then He is not all good. I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-mailer/if-god-is-all-good-then-he-is-not-all-powerful-if-god-is-all-powerful/)

[Norman Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-mailer/)

> [“I always found the disbelievers to be quite tiresome-Cedric”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-scarlett-cruji/i-always-found-the-disbelievers-to-be-quite-tiresome-cedric/)

[Lisa-Scarlett Cruji](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-scarlett-cruji/)

> [The believers in miracles accept them (rightly or wrongly) because they have evidence for them. The disbelievers in miracles deny them (rightly or wrongly)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-believers-in-miracles-accept-them-rightly-or-wrongly-because-they/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“Bury the truth, along with the bodies of the disbelievers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/bury-the-truth-along-with-the-bodies-of-the-disbelievers/)

[Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/)

> [Science is dangerous. There is no question but that poison gas, genetic engineering, and nuclear weapons and power stations are terrifying. It may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-asimov/science-is-dangerous-there-is-no-question-but-that-poison-gas-genetic/)

[Isaac Asimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-asimov/)

> [My biggest surprise of the year does involve Donald Trump and it involves his money. And I am one of the prominent disbelievers of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-o-donnell/my-biggest-surprise-of-the-year-does-involve-donald-trump-and-it/)

[Lawrence O'Donnell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-o-donnell/)

> [I am no disbeliever in spiritual purpose and no vague believer. I see from the standpoint of Christian orthodoxy. This means that for me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/i-am-no-disbeliever-in-spiritual-purpose-and-no-vague-believer-i-see/)

[Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/)

## More by Alfred Russel Wallace

> [Truth is born into this world only with pangs and tribulations, and every fresh truth is received unwillingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/truth-is-born-into-this-world-only-with-pangs-and-tribulations-and/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [Why do some die and some live? The answer was clearly, that on the whole the best fitted live. From the effects of disease…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/why-do-some-die-and-some-live-the-answer-was-clearly-that-on-the/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [To expect the world to receive a new truth, or even an old truth, without challenging it, is to look for one of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/to-expect-the-world-to-receive-a-new-truth-or-even-an-old-truth/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [I spent, as you know, a year and a half in a clergyman's family and heard almost every Tuesday the very best, most earnest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/i-spent-as-you-know-a-year-and-a-half-in-a-clergyman-s-family-and/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [As well might it be said that, because we are ignorant of the laws by which metals are produced and trees developed, we cannot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/as-well-might-it-be-said-that-because-we-are-ignorant-of-the-laws-by/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [It has been generally the custom of writers on natural history to take the habits and instincts of animals as the fixed point, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/it-has-been-generally-the-custom-of-writers-on-natural-history-to/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [In all works on Natural History, we constantly find details of the marvellous adaptation of animals to their food, their habits, and the localities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/in-all-works-on-natural-history-we-constantly-find-details-of-the/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [To say that mind is a product or function of protoplasm, or of its molecular changes, is to use words to which we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/to-say-that-mind-is-a-product-or-function-of-protoplasm-or-of-its/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [In less than eight years "The Origin of Species" has produced conviction in the minds of a majority of the most eminent living men…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/in-less-than-eight-years-the-origin-of-species-has-produced/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [In one of my latest conversations with Darwin he expressed himself very gloomily on the future of humanity, on the ground that in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/in-one-of-my-latest-conversations-with-darwin-he-expressed-himself/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [If this is not done, future ages will certainly look back upon us as a people so immersed in the pursuit of wealth as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/if-this-is-not-done-future-ages-will-certainly-look-back-upon-us-as-a/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [There is, I conceive, no contradiction in believing that mind is at once the cause of matter and of the development of individualised human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/there-is-i-conceive-no-contradiction-in-believing-that-mind-is-at/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [Civilisation has ever accompanied emigration and conquest - the conflict of opinion, of religion, or of race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/civilisation-has-ever-accompanied-emigration-and-conquest-the/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [ “\[I\]t is indisputably the mediocre, if not the low, both as regards morality and intelligence, who succeed in life and multiply the fastest.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/i-t-is-indisputably-the-mediocre-if-not-the-low-both-as-regards/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

> [But naturalists are now beginning to look beyond this, and to see that there must be some other principle regulating the infinitely varied forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/but-naturalists-are-now-beginning-to-look-beyond-this-and-to-see-that/)

[Alfred Russel Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

[Explore all 34 Alfred Russel Wallace quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/)

## More Admire quotes

> [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/)

[Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/)

> [I admire Serena Williams, because, I mean, who doesn't admire Serena Williams?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/i-admire-serena-williams-because-i-mean-who-doesn-t-admire-serena/)

[Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/)

> [How proud I am to be compared to Oprah. I really admire her. She's a minority woman and she's done all this by herself...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-saralegui/how-proud-i-am-to-be-compared-to-oprah-i-really-admire-her-she-s-a/)

[Cristina Saralegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-saralegui/)

> [I admire President Obama's ability to trust strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/i-admire-president-obama-s-ability-to-trust-strangers/)

[Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/)

> [I really admire people's interactions with technology that aren't tech-centric but use it as a tool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-polachek/i-really-admire-people-s-interactions-with-technology-that-aren-t/)

[Caroline Polachek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-polachek/)

> [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/)

[John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/)

> [Shaw's works make me admire the magnificent tolerance and broadmindedness of the english.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/shaw-s-works-make-me-admire-the-magnificent-tolerance-and/)

[James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/)

> [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/)

[Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/)

> [I believe in a world where there are no heroes, and I've read and know humanity a lot. There are moments that I admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/i-believe-in-a-world-where-there-are-no-heroes-and-i-ve-read-and-know/)

[Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/)

> [I admire machinery as much is any man, and am as thankful to it as any man can be for what it does for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-admire-machinery-as-much-is-any-man-and-am-as-thankful-to-it-as-any/)

[Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/)

> [I think it's really good and helpful to have the people you most admire in some other discipline than what you work in. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whit-stillman/i-think-it-s-really-good-and-helpful-to-have-the-people-you-most/)

[Whit Stillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whit-stillman/)

> [Part of what we admire about a painting or a piece of music is the order which the artist has imposed upon what would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-storr/part-of-what-we-admire-about-a-painting-or-a-piece-of-music-is-the/)

[Anthony Storr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-storr/)

> [I respect and admire the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-respect-and-admire-the-premier-league/)

[Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/)

> [“Admire and appreciate your man and he will be happy on your side”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-alfiori/admire-and-appreciate-your-man-and-he-will-be-happy-on-your-side/)

[Linda Alfiori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-alfiori/)

> [“The thing I admire most about you is no matter how hard, or how much the world has tried to beat you, break you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-gill/the-thing-i-admire-most-about-you-is-no-matter-how-hard-or-how-much/)

[Nikita Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-gill/)

Browse all 2,369 Admire quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I think I have fairly heard and fairly weighed the evidence on both sides, and I remain an utter disbeliever in almost all that you consider the most sacred truths... I can see much to admire in all religions... But whether there be a God and whatever be His nature; whether we have an immortal soul or not, or whatever may be our state after death, I can have no fear of having to suffer for the study of nature and the search for truth.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Alfred Russel Wallace"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/i-think-i-have-fairly-heard-and-fairly-weighed-the-evidence-on-both/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Admire"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/i-think-i-have-fairly-heard-and-fairly-weighed-the-evidence-on-both/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/alfred-russel-wallace-18563_admire_i-think-i-have-fairly-heard-and-fairly-w_102223.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/alfred-russel-wallace-18563_admire_i-think-i-have-fairly-heard-and-fairly-w_102223.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d1d/alfred-russel-wallace-18563_admire_i-think-i-have-fairly-heard-and-fairly-w_102223.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I think I have fairly heard and fairly weighed the evidence on both sides, and I remain an utter disbeliever…” — Alfred Russel Wallace",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Alfred Russel Wallace",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-russel-wallace/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I think I have fairly heard...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/i-think-i-have-fairly-heard-and-fairly-weighed-the-evidence-on-both/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-russel-wallace/i-think-i-have-fairly-heard-and-fairly-weighed-the-evidence-on-both/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```