Authority Quote by Dennis Lindley
“In my opinion, it helps enormously to know why something is true, rather than being told it is true, for why should you believe me? Never believe anything on the authority of a single person but seek confirmation — and reason is the best confirmation.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Unknown, possibly academic writing
Understanding the reasoning behind a claim is more reliable than accepting it on authority; seek evidence and logical justification.
In simple terms: Know why something is true, not just that it is.
Key Takeaway
Question authority, seek proof.
Themes
critical thinking
skepticism
knowledge
Mood
inquisitive
analytical
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic research
- daily decisions
- media consumption
Key Concepts
epistemology
logic
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you verify information?
- When should you trust expertise?
A Different Perspective
Authority can be persuasive but misleading.
![“The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the formulas of nations at war, where any heinousness is justified on the grounds that the enemy is either an inferior [part of the] species or…” quote by Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/895/kate-millett-7301_accompany_the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imp_8896.jpg)