Philosophy Quote by Bertrand Russell
““In his philosophy, nothing is held to be quite true, and nothing quite false; what can be uttered has only a limited truth, and, since men must talk, we cannot blame them for not speaking the whole truth and nothing but the truth. The best we can do, according to Bradley, is to say things that are “not intellectually corrigible”—further progress is only possible through a synthesis of thought and feeling, which, when achieved, will lead to our saying nothing.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Essays on Language and Truth, 1915
Human language can only capture partial truths; absolute certainty is impossible, so we must accept limited statements and seek synthesis of thought and feeling.
In simple terms: Words convey limited truth; full truth is unattainable.
Key Takeaway
Embrace partial truths and integrate emotion with reason.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
communication
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic debate
- personal relationships
- public speaking
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
relativism
truth
synthesis
emotion
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance honesty with uncertainty?
- When is it appropriate to with silence?
A Different Perspective
Limited language may hinder precise understanding in complex issues.
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