Certitude Quote by Andre Gide
“A desire for truth is by no means a need for certitude and it would be unwise to confuse one with the other.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Immoralist by André Gide, 1902
Seeking truth does not require absolute certainty; confusing the two leads to error.
In simple terms: Truth seeking differs from needing certainty.
Key Takeaway
Accept uncertainty while pursuing truth.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
critical thinking
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic research
- personal decision making
- scientific inquiry
Key Concepts
certainty
truth
certainty
epistemic humility
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you equate truth with certainty?
- How can you stay open to uncertainty?
A Different Perspective
Confusing truth with certainty can stifle open inquiry.
![“We [tend to] have more faith in what we imitate than in what we originate. We [often feel that we] cannot derive a sense of absolute certitude from anything which has its root in us. The most poignant sense of insecurity comes from standing alone; we are not alone when we imitate.” quote by Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f9a/bruce-lee-430_absolutes_we-tend-to-have-more-faith-in-what-we-im_269245.jpg)
