--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The idea so commonly found that…" description: "\"“The idea so commonly found that scepticism leads to toleration arises from considering the effects of scepticism in the intellectual who takes no acti..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/bertrand-de-jouvenel-20688_faith_the-idea-so-commonly-found-that-sceptici_1193477.png" --- # The idea so commonly found that scepticism leads to… ![“The idea so commonly found that scepticism leads to toleration arises from considering the effects of scepticism in the intellectual who takes no active part - not its effects in the man of action. In the man of action, moral relativism and scepticism as to the absolute and universal value of his…” quote by Bertrand De Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/bertrand-de-jouvenel-20688_faith_the-idea-so-commonly-found-that-sceptici_1193477.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/bertrand-de-jouvenel-20688_faith_the-idea-so-commonly-found-that-sceptici_1193477.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a4f/bertrand-de-jouvenel-20688_faith_the-idea-so-commonly-found-that-sceptici_1193477.png) > ““The idea so commonly found that scepticism leads to toleration arises from considering the effects of scepticism in the intellectual who takes no active part - not its effects in the man of action. In the man of action, moral relativism and scepticism as to the absolute and universal value of his priunciples are no obstacle to a fanatical belief in their immediate value as his own clan at the actual moment; they do not weaken in the least his will to impose his principles. How should he glimpse a soul of truth in the principles of others, entitling them to respect, when he does not believe in noble origins of this kind even for his own principles?”” [Bertrand De Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Skepticism may foster tolerance among thinkers, but for active actors it can coexist with fierce, exclusive convictions, preventing genuine respect for others’ principles. **In simple terms:** Skepticism can block true respect for others’ ideas when one is overly dogmatic. Key Takeaway Recognize humility in your own convictions. Themes tolerance skepticism morality relativism will Mood reflective critical thoughtful Type philosophical analytical inquisitive When to use this quote - political leadership - activism - academic debate - interpersonal conflict Key Concepts philosophy political theory ethics Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance confidence with openness? - Can you respect principles you disagree with? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on personal conviction can blind one to universal truths. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Freedom of speech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom-of-speech/) [Moral relativism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-relativism/) [Opinions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinions/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Relativism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relativism/) [Scepticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scepticism/) ## Related quotes > [“Men tend to be more orthodox in belief. Their concern for the rules keeps a congregation from drifting toward mushy moral relativism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-murrow/men-tend-to-be-more-orthodox-in-belief-their-concern-for-the-rules/) [David Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-murrow/) > [“Most moral relativists believe that tolerance of cultural diversity is better, in some important sense, than outright bigotry. This may be perfectly reasonable, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-harris/most-moral-relativists-believe-that-tolerance-of-cultural-diversity/) [Sam Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-harris/) > [If you depart from moral absolutes, you go into a bottomless pit. 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Igor Stravinsky wrote, “The old original sin was one of knowledge, the new original sin is one of non-acknowledgment.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-r-reilly/the-choice-today-is-revolt-igor-stravinsky-wrote-the-old-original-sin/) [Robert R. 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Whereas relativism, that is, letting oneself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-benedict-xvi/today-having-a-clear-faith-based-on-the-creed-of-the-church-is-often/) [Pope Benedict XVI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-benedict-xvi/) > [Moral relativism says morality is relative, not absolute, I want to show moral relativism, in its popular form, is logically incoherent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-kreeft/moral-relativism-says-morality-is-relative-not-absolute-i-want-to/) [Peter Kreeft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-kreeft/) > [“Moral relativism be damned, Riz. There's them, and there's us, and we fight and die for us and that's it.' Holly "Bang-Bang" Kirpachi”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-flowers/moral-relativism-be-damned-riz-there-s-them-and-there-s-us-and-we/) Charlie Flowers > [“George Bush made a mistake when he referred to the Saddam Hussein regime as 'evil.' Every liberal and leftist knows how to titter at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/george-bush-made-a-mistake-when-he-referred-to-the-saddam-hussein/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“Moral relativism,” Colin said. “No it’s not. I don’t think God gives a shit if we have a dog or if a woman wears…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/moral-relativism-colin-said-no-it-s-not-i-don-t-think-god-gives-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ “\[F\]ollowers of Christ think differently than others. . . . Where do we look for the premises with which we begin our reasoning on… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/f-ollowers-of-christ-think-differently-than-others-where-do-we-look/) [Dallin H. Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) ## More by Bertrand De Jouvenel > [But there are no institutions on earth which enable each separate person to have a hand in the exercise of Power, for Power is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/but-there-are-no-institutions-on-earth-which-enable-each-separate/) [Bertrand de Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [It is appropriate here to recall that the so-called Dark Ages began with the flight of the individuals into the protection of lords or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/it-is-appropriate-here-to-recall-that-the-so-called-dark-ages-began/) [Bertrand de Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [“As every advance of Power is useful for war, so war is useful for the advance of power; war is like a sheep-dog harrying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/as-every-advance-of-power-is-useful-for-war-so-war-is-useful-for-the/) [Bertrand De Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [“The modern absolutism, which we find the most natural thing in the world, would have been quite beyond the dreams of the most absolute…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/the-modern-absolutism-which-we-find-the-most-natural-thing-in-the/) [Bertrand De Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [Ransack the history of revolutions, and it will be found that every fall of a regime has been presaged by a defiance which went…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/ransack-the-history-of-revolutions-and-it-will-be-found-that-every/) [Bertrand de Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [“The man who has dedicated himself to the success of the protect, the master builder, no longer has any freedom: his conduct is now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/the-man-who-has-dedicated-himself-to-the-success-of-the-protect-the/) [Bertrand De Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [“The entire stock of relationships which suited in war—militiae—was regarded as inadmissible and improper in peace—domi. We have the measure of how right the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/the-entire-stock-of-relationships-which-suited-in-war-militiae-was/) [Bertrand De Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [“Power changes its appearance but not its reality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/power-changes-its-appearance-but-not-its-reality/) [Bertrand De Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [“Historians of the sentimental school have sometimes regretted that royalty became absolute, while at the same time rejoicing that it installed plebeians in office.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/historians-of-the-sentimental-school-have-sometimes-regretted-that/) [Bertrand De Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [“Power is linked with war, and a society wishing to limit war's ravages can find no other way than by limiting the scope of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/power-is-linked-with-war-and-a-society-wishing-to-limit-war-s-ravages/) [Bertrand De Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [“Rejoicing in his absolute authority, the single egoist will exploit it methodically, whereas a mêlée of egoists will bring about a ruinous disorder and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/rejoicing-in-his-absolute-authority-the-single-egoist-will-exploit-it/) [Bertrand De Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [For, once man is declared 'the measure of all things,' there is no longer a true, or a good, or a just, but only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/for-once-man-is-declared-the-measure-of-all-things-there-is-no-longer/) [Bertrand de Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [Barbarian invasions would be superfluous: We are our own Huns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/barbarian-invasions-would-be-superfluous-we-are-our-own-huns/) [Bertrand de Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [“Where will it all end? In the destruction of all other command for the benefit of one alone - that of the state. In…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/where-will-it-all-end-in-the-destruction-of-all-other-command-for-the/) [Bertrand De Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) > [“Of all the simplifications to which the human spirit naturally inclines, unable to reconcile itself to the complexity of the real, there is none…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-de-jouvenel/of-all-the-simplifications-to-which-the-human-spirit-naturally/) [Bertrand De Jouvenel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) [Explore all 30 Bertrand De Jouvenel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-de-jouvenel/) ## More Faith quotes > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Keep the faith, and keep going strong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/keep-the-faith-and-keep-going-strong/) [Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) Riffat Hassan > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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