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Left hand Quote by Christopher Hitchens

“The true value of a man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth. It is not possession of the Truth, but rather the pursuit of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectibility is to be…” quote by Christopher Hitchens
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““The true value of a man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth. It is not possession of the Truth, but rather the pursuit of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectibility is to be found. Possession makes one passive, indolent, and proud. If God were to hold all Truth concealed in his right hand, and in his left only the steady and diligent drive for Truth, albeit with the proviso that I would always and forever err in the process, and to offer me the choice, I would with all humility take the left hand. —GOTTHOLD LESSING, ANTI-GOEZE (1778)””

Christopher Hitchens

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Pursuit of Truth, 2010

True worth lies in the relentless search for truth, not in claiming to possess it; active seeking expands human potential.

In simple terms: Seeking truth, not owning it, builds character.

Key Takeaway

Seek truth actively.

Themes

philosophy ethics human potential humility

Mood

introspective serious

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • academic research
  • personal reflection
  • spiritual practice

Key Concepts

truth pursuit growth imperfection

Questions to Reflect On

  • What drives your quest for truth?
  • How do you handle errors in your search?
A Different Perspective

Believing one already has truth can breed complacency.

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