Middle Sentence Quote by Augustine of Hippo
““Variation on the middle sentence: A thing is not necessarily false because it is badly expressed, nor true because it is expressed magnificently.””
About This Quote
A proposition's truth value is independent of its rhetorical quality; clarity or eloquence does not determine correctness.
In simple terms: Truth is separate from style.
Key Takeaway
Assess content, not presentation.
Themes
Epistemology
Rhetoric
Philosophy of Language
Critical Thinking
Mood
Analytical
Skeptical
Type
Philosophical
Educational
When to use this quote
- Academic writing
- Legal arguments
- Scientific reporting
- Political speeches
Key Concepts
Truth criteria
Expression quality
Logical evaluation
Practical Applications
- Evaluating research claims
- Teaching logical analysis
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify a claim beyond its presentation?
- What biases arise from focusing on eloquence?
![“Time takes no holiday. It does not roll idly by, but through our senses works its own wonders in the mind. Time came and went from one day to the next; in its coming and its passing it brought me other hopes and other memories. [quoted in Peter Brown, Augustine of Hippo, p. 54]” quote by Augustine of Hippo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7c2/augustine-of-hippo-2589_change_time-takes-no-holiday-it-does-not-roll-i_22609.jpg)
