Certainty Quote by Anthony Hopkins
“Oh, the truth, oh yeah, lot of trouble that got us into, didn't it, over the last maybe thousand years? Hitler knew the truth, so did Stalin, so did Mao Zedong, so did the Inquisition. They all knew the truth and that caused such horror. Certainty is the enemy.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: 2020, Documentary on History, Anthony Hopkins
Historical figures knew "the truth" yet caused horror; certainty breeds danger, suggesting humility over absolute belief.
In simple terms: Certainty can lead to horror.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions and stay open‑minded.
Themes
history
truth
certainty
danger
humility
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- education
- public discourse
- media criticism
Key Concepts
psychology of belief
historical analysis
ethical reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies foster healthy doubt?
- What role does humility play in decision‑making?
A Different Perspective
Absolute certainty can be weaponized; skepticism may prevent atrocities.
![“[I]f in other sciences we should arrive at certainty without doubt and truth without error, it behooves us to place the foundations of knowledge in mathematics, in so far as disposed through it we are able to reach certainty in other sciences and truth by the exclusion of error.” quote by Roger Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d13/roger-bacon-15067_able_i-f-in-other-sciences-we-should-arrive-a_24209.jpg)