Atheism Quote by Bertrand Russell
“When there are rational grounds for an opinion, people are content to set them forth and wait for them to operate. In such cases, people do not hold their opinions with passion; they hold them calmly, and set forth their reasons quietly. The opinions that are held with passion are always those for which no good ground exists; indeed the passion is the measure of the holder's lack of rational conviction.”
About This Quote
When opinions rest on solid reasoning, people present them calmly and wait for their merit to show. Passionate opinions typically lack rational foundation; the intensity of feeling signals a deficit in logical support.
In simple terms: Calm, reasoned opinions differ from passionate, unsupported ones.
Key Takeaway
Passion often masks weak reasoning.
Themes
reason
passion
critical thinking
rationality
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- Debating political issues
- Evaluating scientific claims
- Making personal decisions
Key Concepts
epistemology
cognitive bias
Practical Applications
- Practice evidence‑based argumentation
- Pause before reacting emotionally
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you distinguish genuine conviction from emotional impulse?
- When might passion be justified despite weak evidence?
A Different Perspective
Strong emotions can sometimes motivate necessary change despite limited evidence.
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
