--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A firm basis for intellectual honesty is…" description: "\"A firm basis for intellectual honesty is being open to the possibility that the truth is not what you want to hear.\" — Anonymous" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/542/anonymous-1_honesty_a-firm-basis-for-intellectual-honesty-is_2816366.jpg" --- # A firm basis for intellectual honesty is being open to the… ![“A firm basis for intellectual honesty is being open to the possibility that the truth is not what you want to hear.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/542/anonymous-1_honesty_a-firm-basis-for-intellectual-honesty-is_2816366.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/542/anonymous-1_honesty_a-firm-basis-for-intellectual-honesty-is_2816366.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/542/anonymous-1_honesty_a-firm-basis-for-intellectual-honesty-is_2816366.jpg) > “A firm basis for intellectual honesty is being open to the possibility that the truth is not what you want to hear.” [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Intellectual honesty requires openness to uncomfortable truths. **In simple terms:** Be ready for unwelcome facts. Key Takeaway Cultivate openness to truth. Themes honesty intellectual humility truth Mood reflective candid Type thoughtful serious When to use this quote - academic research - personal growth - none - none Key Concepts philosophy critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - What truths challenge you? - How do you handle cognitive dissonance? A Different Perspective Truth may conflict with beliefs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) [Intellectual honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual-honesty/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [“I'm not saying it's simple to find and tell the truth. It takes a great deal of hard work, intellectual honesty, open-mindedness, and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-parks/i-m-not-saying-it-s-simple-to-find-and-tell-the-truth-it-takes-a/) [Brad Parks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-parks/) > [Intellectual honesty is the quality that the public in free countries always has expected of historians; much more than that it does not expect,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/intellectual-honesty-is-the-quality-that-the-public-in-free-countries/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“There lives much more potential and possibility in the truth versus a lie”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/renita-bryant/there-lives-much-more-potential-and-possibility-in-the-truth-versus-a/) [Renita Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/renita-bryant/) > [“It occurs to me now that it isn't that I was always certain there was no truth to the rumor; it was that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-warman/it-occurs-to-me-now-that-it-isn-t-that-i-was-always-certain-there-was/) [Jessica Warman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-warman/) > [When a woman tells the truth she is creating the possibility for more truth around her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/when-a-woman-tells-the-truth-she-is-creating-the-possibility-for-more/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [“The possibility of truth has become a delusion to those who made their own disguise the truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nema-al-araby/the-possibility-of-truth-has-become-a-delusion-to-those-who-made/) [Nema Al-Araby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nema-al-araby/) > [“...wonder admits to the existence of mystery...recognition of mystery allows the possibility of Truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/wonder-admits-to-the-existence-of-mystery-recognition-of-mystery/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“But what if absolute consistency on any issue from the left or the right, religious or secular, is an indication of mediocre intelligence and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-what-if-absolute-consistency-on-any-issue-from-the-left-or-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Mathematics is persistent intellectual honesty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moses-aaron-richardson/mathematics-is-persistent-intellectual-honesty/) Moses Aaron Richardson > [“From a rat hole you can go to the stars or from the stars you can go to a rat hole! Your destiny is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/from-a-rat-hole-you-can-go-to-the-stars-or-from-the-stars-you-can-go/) [Mehmet Murat ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [“I'm not saying that people can't be happy or fulfilled on their own; of course they can. But being open to the possibility of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/crystal-cestari/i-m-not-saying-that-people-can-t-be-happy-or-fulfilled-on-their-own/) [Crystal Cestari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/crystal-cestari/) > [The first step on the path to positive change is acknowledgement that change is necessary and possible. Open yourself to the possibility of seeing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-blackwell/the-first-step-on-the-path-to-positive-change-is-acknowledgement-that/) Alex Blackwell > [“You can’t count on success; you can only leave open the possibility for it, and be ready to jump on and take the ride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-kleon/you-can-t-count-on-success-you-can-only-leave-open-the-possibility/) [Austin Kleon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-kleon/) > [When there's more lows than highs and I'm not just talking financially, it may be time to see what else is out there for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melanie-nicholls-king/when-there-s-more-lows-than-highs-and-i-m-not-just-talking/) [Melanie Nicholls-King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melanie-nicholls-king/) > [A confused mind is one that is open to the possibility of change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-weiner/a-confused-mind-is-one-that-is-open-to-the-possibility-of-change/) [Eric Weiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-weiner/) ## More by Anonymous > [And a tear rolled down her cheek, as she said goodbye; because she's walking away, and she's never looking back](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/and-a-tear-rolled-down-her-cheek-as-she-said-goodbye-because-she-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Scrabble - The game is available in Braille. That’s a nice fact. This makes me feel better about humanity for some reason. I can’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/scrabble-the-game-is-available-in-braille-that-s-a-nice-fact-this/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Everyone needs someone to love, and I choose you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/everyone-needs-someone-to-love-and-i-choose-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“THIS tale of my sore-troubled life I write,    To thank the God of nature, who conveyed    My soul to me, and with such care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-tale-of-my-sore-troubled-life-i-write-to-thank-the-god-of-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Put on my J's and dance the whole night away Im naughty by nature like Im hip-hop hooray With my hands in the sky,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/put-on-my-j-s-and-dance-the-whole-night-away-im-naughty-by-nature/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Me.. I have been through a lot, but I still manage to have a smile on my face. Im not worried about the past…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/me-i-have-been-through-a-lot-but-i-still-manage-to-have-a-smile-on-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Distance is a test of love. many will fail for those who can't withstand it, but for those who can, theres only one answer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/distance-is-a-test-of-love-many-will-fail-for-those-who-can-t/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Im sorry I ever tried...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/im-sorry-i-ever-tried/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Being betrayed by the one you love is the worst feeling in the world...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-betrayed-by-the-one-you-love-is-the-worst-feeling-in-the-world/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Let children support their parents or be imprisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-children-support-their-parents-or-be-imprisoned/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only person I've ever purposely caused pain here is myself...By simply sharing, caring too much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-person-i-ve-ever-purposely-caused-pain-here-is-myself-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Start a business, not a startup”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/start-a-business-not-a-startup/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The truth is, of course, that the curtness of the Ten Commandments is an evidence, not of the gloom and narrowness of a religion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-truth-is-of-course-that-the-curtness-of-the-ten-commandments-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Explore all 162,899 Anonymous quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More Honesty quotes > [The greatest gift you can give to those around you is honesty. Sometimes honest words may sting the heart, but dishonesty pierces deep into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/the-greatest-gift-you-can-give-to-those-around-you-is-honesty/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [If You Love Someone, Be Brave Enough To Tell Them., Otherwise Be Brave Enough To Watch Them To Be Loved By Someone Else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bilal-zahoor/if-you-love-someone-be-brave-enough-to-tell-them-otherwise-be-brave/) [Bilal Zahoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bilal-zahoor/) > [Honesty in politics is the result of strength; hypocrisy is the result of weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/honesty-in-politics-is-the-result-of-strength-hypocrisy-is-the-result/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [In all honesty, once you become a professional, number one, you're no longer a fan. I don't root for the Dodgers, really. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-scully/in-all-honesty-once-you-become-a-professional-number-one-you-re-no/) [Vin Scully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-scully/) > [Honest people don't hide their deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-bronte/honest-people-don-t-hide-their-deeds/) [Emily Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-bronte/) > [The quality an artist must have is objectivity in judging his work, plus the honesty and courage not to kid himself about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/the-quality-an-artist-must-have-is-objectivity-in-judging-his-work/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [I think honesty is a big part. Because when you sing live, you want the audience to believe you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pixie-lott/i-think-honesty-is-a-big-part-because-when-you-sing-live-you-want-the/) [Pixie Lott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pixie-lott/) > [Anything well written with good language and clarity and honesty is worth doing. It comes out of the same tradition as Shakespeare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/anything-well-written-with-good-language-and-clarity-and-honesty-is/) [Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/) > [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi and the radical Islamist mullahs ruling Iran share many similarities, but honesty and negotiating in good faith are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-hoekstra/former-libyan-dictator-moammar-gadhafi-and-the-radical-islamist/) [Pete Hoekstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-hoekstra/) > [“An honest man is a debtless man, he doesn't owe anyone anything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-honest-man-is-a-debtless-man-he-doesn-t-owe-anyone-anything/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Don't worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/don-t-worry-so-much-about-your-self-esteem-worry-more-about-your/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [“Teach honesty by all means - you do know what it is, don't you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/teach-honesty-by-all-means-you-do-know-what-it-is-don-t-you/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [America today is a confused society, caught up in a terror war, a culture war, and a media war, where honesty and professional standards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/america-today-is-a-confused-society-caught-up-in-a-terror-war-a/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [There's a need for music that has urgency and emotional honesty. That's why people are reintroducing themselves to guitar music - that instrument has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mura-masa/there-s-a-need-for-music-that-has-urgency-and-emotional-honesty-that/) [Mura Masa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mura-masa/) [Browse all 4,388 Honesty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A firm basis for intellectual honesty is being open to the possibility that the truth is not what you want to hear.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Anonymous" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-firm-basis-for-intellectual-honesty-is-being-open-to-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Honesty" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-firm-basis-for-intellectual-honesty-is-being-open-to-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/542/anonymous-1_honesty_a-firm-basis-for-intellectual-honesty-is_2816366.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/542/anonymous-1_honesty_a-firm-basis-for-intellectual-honesty-is_2816366.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/542/anonymous-1_honesty_a-firm-basis-for-intellectual-honesty-is_2816366.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“A firm basis for intellectual honesty is being open to the possibility that the truth is not what you want…” — Anonymous", "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": "Anonymous", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "A firm basis for intellectual honesty...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-firm-basis-for-intellectual-honesty-is-being-open-to-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-firm-basis-for-intellectual-honesty-is-being-open-to-the/#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 } } ] } ```