--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nothing will shake a man-or at any rate a…" description: "\"Nothing will shake a man-or at any rate a man like me-out of his merely verbal thinking and his merely notional beliefs. He has to be knocked silly bef..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d35/anonymous-1_belief_nothing-will-shake-a-man-or-at-any-rate_511604.jpg" --- # Nothing will shake a man-or at any rate a man like me-out… ![“Nothing will shake a man-or at any rate a man like me-out of his merely verbal thinking and his merely notional beliefs. He has to be knocked silly before he comes to his senses. Only torture will bring out the truth. Only under torture does he discover it himself.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d35/anonymous-1_belief_nothing-will-shake-a-man-or-at-any-rate_511604.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d35/anonymous-1_belief_nothing-will-shake-a-man-or-at-any-rate_511604.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d35/anonymous-1_belief_nothing-will-shake-a-man-or-at-any-rate_511604.jpg) > “Nothing will shake a man-or at any rate a man like me-out of his merely verbal thinking and his merely notional beliefs. He has to be knocked silly before he comes to his senses. Only torture will bring out the truth. Only under torture does he discover it himself.” [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. The quote suggests that a person entrenched in abstract thought and beliefs will not change unless subjected to extreme pressure or suffering, which forces them to confront reality. **In simple terms:** People only change when faced with severe hardship. Key Takeaway Hardship forces self‑realization. Themes change psychology truth pain reality Mood dark intense Type philosophical critical cautionary When to use this quote - personal crisis - judicial interrogation - military training - addiction recovery Key Concepts cognitive dissonance forced introspection Questions to Reflect On - Is suffering necessary for truth? - Can insight be achieved without pain? A Different Perspective Extreme pressure can cause trauma and ethical concerns. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [God 's will](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god-s-will/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Silly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/silly/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Torture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torture/) ## Related quotes > [While the notion that torture works has been glorified in television shows and movies, the simple truth is this: torture has never been an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerrold-nadler/while-the-notion-that-torture-works-has-been-glorified-in-television/) [Jerrold Nadler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerrold-nadler/) > [He who falls, falls by his own will, and he who stands, stands by God's will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/he-who-falls-falls-by-his-own-will-and-he-who-stands-stands-by-god-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Do you know who the upright of heart are? They are those who wish what God wishes. Therefore, do not try to twist God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-you-know-who-the-upright-of-heart-are-they-are-those-who-wish-what/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You say you do not know what God's will is, but I'll tell you what it is. Above all it is that you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-say-you-do-not-know-what-god-s-will-is-but-i-ll-tell-you-what-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Lincoln grew immeasurably as he came to think of himself as an “instrument of God’s will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/lincoln-grew-immeasurably-as-he-came-to-think-of-himself-as-an/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When the Lord makes it clear you're to follow Him in this new direction, focus fully on Him and refuse to be distracted by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-the-lord-makes-it-clear-you-re-to-follow-him-in-this-new/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For men are made for happiness, and any one who is completely happy has a right to say to himself, 'I am doing God's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-men-are-made-for-happiness-and-any-one-who-is-completely-happy-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Holiness consists simply in doing God's will, and being just what God wants us to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/holiness-consists-simply-in-doing-god-s-will-and-being-just-what-god/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am Thy servant to do Thy will, and that will is sweeter to me than position or riches or fame, and I choose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-am-thy-servant-to-do-thy-will-and-that-will-is-sweeter-to-me-than/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If we spend our days trying to avoid the landmines of stepping out of God's will, then will be afraid to take any risks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-we-spend-our-days-trying-to-avoid-the-landmines-of-stepping-out-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If that were God's plan, it's a bad bargain; I don't want to have to deal with a God like that...My sense is God…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-that-were-god-s-plan-it-s-a-bad-bargain-i-don-t-want-to-have-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Here's how to determine God's will for your life: Go wherever your gifts will be exploited the most.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/here-s-how-to-determine-god-s-will-for-your-life-go-wherever-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Your call will become clear as as your mind is transformed by the reading of Scripture and the internal work of God's Spirit. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/your-call-will-become-clear-as-as-your-mind-is-transformed-by-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No human being...is ever conceived outside God's will or ever conceived apart from God's image. Life is a gift from God created in His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/no-human-being-is-ever-conceived-outside-god-s-will-or-ever-conceived/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I have so often been asked the question: "But how did you come to think of The Scarlet Pimpernel?" And my answer has always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-have-so-often-been-asked-the-question-but-how-did-you-come-to-think/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## 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 Belief quotes > [“Cine a ucis stelele? Cine a surpat drumul spre viitor al celor din morminte?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ionel-teodoreanu/cine-a-ucis-stelele-cine-a-surpat-drumul-spre-viitor-al-celor-din/) [Ionel Teodoreanu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ionel-teodoreanu/) > [“MIND & GRIND Self-belief and hard work can propel you past more talented peers”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamil-ali/mind-grind-self-belief-and-hard-work-can-propel-you-past-more/) [Kamil Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamil-ali/) > [Philosopher is a dictator who modifies accepted standards with his thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilkin-santak/philosopher-is-a-dictator-who-modifies-accepted-standards-with-his/) [Ilkin Santak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilkin-santak/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [It took me 20 years of hard training to get the physique I have today. what you need is what i had - BELIEF…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/branch-warren/it-took-me-20-years-of-hard-training-to-get-the-physique-i-have-today/) [Branch Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/branch-warren/) > [“Here is a fundamental difference between the man of faith and the man of unbelief. The unbeliever is 'of the world', judges everything by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-w-pink/here-is-a-fundamental-difference-between-the-man-of-faith-and-the-man/) [Arthur W. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-w-pink/) > [“She herself vacillated when it came to belief. She did not particularly believe in God. Or, rather, she didn't believe in a particular God.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allegra-goodman/she-herself-vacillated-when-it-came-to-belief-she-did-not/) [Allegra Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allegra-goodman/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [“Rigid traditions capture souls prisons of spiritual thought man’s religion has captured a god grown too small and very weak.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-w-earle/rigid-traditions-capture-souls-prisons-of-spiritual-thought-man-s/) [David W Earle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-w-earle/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [The inner defenses are unconscious. They consist of a kind of magic aura which the mind builds around cherished belief. Arguments which penetrate into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arthur-koestler/the-inner-defenses-are-unconscious-they-consist-of-a-kind-of-magic/) [Arthur Koestler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arthur-koestler/) > [I have tried to resign myself, and to console myself; and that, I hope, I may have done imperfectly; but what I cannot firmly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-have-tried-to-resign-myself-and-to-console-myself-and-that-i-hope-i/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [In business, as in politics, it is never easy to go against the beliefs and attitudes held by the majority. The businessman who moves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-paul-getty/in-business-as-in-politics-it-is-never-easy-to-go-against-the-beliefs/) [J. Paul Getty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-paul-getty/) > [There's no greatest moment in the arts. It's a life; it's a continuity thing. You can't have a great moment because it's spiritual. 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