--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only force that can overcome an idea…" description: "\"The only force that can overcome an idea and a faith is another and better idea and faith, positively and fearlessly upheld.\" — Dorothy Thompson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/dorothy-thompson-17557_faith_the-only-force-that-can-overcome-an-idea_2575959.jpg" --- # The only force that can overcome an idea and a faith is… ![“The only force that can overcome an idea and a faith is another and better idea and faith, positively and fearlessly upheld.” quote by Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/dorothy-thompson-17557_faith_the-only-force-that-can-overcome-an-idea_2575959.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/dorothy-thompson-17557_faith_the-only-force-that-can-overcome-an-idea_2575959.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/dorothy-thompson-17557_faith_the-only-force-that-can-overcome-an-idea_2575959.jpg) > “The only force that can overcome an idea and a faith is another and better idea and faith, positively and fearlessly upheld.” [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. New ideas and faith, when stronger and more courageous, can defeat older ones. **In simple terms:** Better ideas and faith win over older ones. Key Takeaway Cultivate stronger ideas and fearless belief. Themes progress faith ideas conflict courage Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - debates - political campaigns - personal growth - social movements Key Concepts Philosophy psychology ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can you strengthen your ideas? - What fears hold you back? A Different Perspective New ideas may face resistance or lack resources. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) ## Related quotes > [Faith itself is a horrible mechanism that stunts the growth of ideas. It also stunts the act of questioning, and it does this by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-rogan/faith-itself-is-a-horrible-mechanism-that-stunts-the-growth-of-ideas/) [Joe Rogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-rogan/) > [“That's the way it is. If you believe in something your very belief renders you unqualified to do it. Your earnestness will come across.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-okri/that-s-the-way-it-is-if-you-believe-in-something-your-very-belief/) [Ben Okri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-okri/) > [We're big fans of the idea that faith without works is dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-tesh/we-re-big-fans-of-the-idea-that-faith-without-works-is-dead/) [John Tesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-tesh/) > [I wouldn't say that comedy brought me away from it.I think that my idea of faith was another obligation in my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-gaffigan/i-wouldn-t-say-that-comedy-brought-me-away-from-it-i-think-that-my/) [Jim Gaffigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-gaffigan/) > [“The idea of faith is that you hope He’s real. But faith beyond that is that you know He’s real. And I now know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-makos/the-idea-of-faith-is-that-you-hope-he-s-real-but-faith-beyond-that-is/) [Adam Makos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-makos/) > [But, today, the idea of faith returns to me. Faith defies logic and propels us beyond hope because it is not attached to our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-tempest-williams/but-today-the-idea-of-faith-returns-to-me-faith-defies-logic-and/) [Terry Tempest Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-tempest-williams/) > [“problem-solving leaders have one thing in common: a faith that there's always a better way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-m-weinberg/problem-solving-leaders-have-one-thing-in-common-a-faith-that-there-s/) [Gerald M. Weinberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-m-weinberg/) > [“But the word faith is better translated as “confidence” and “trust,” because it is about something inside you and not directed toward something external.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/but-the-word-faith-is-better-translated-as-confidence-and-trust/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [“A heart full of faith is better than a soul full of doubt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/a-heart-full-of-faith-is-better-than-a-soul-full-of-doubt/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [Faith is much better than belief. Belief is when someone else does the thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/faith-is-much-better-than-belief-belief-is-when-someone-else-does-the/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) > [The errors of faith are better than the best thoughts of unbelief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-russell/the-errors-of-faith-are-better-than-the-best-thoughts-of-unbelief/) Thomas Russell > [I do have faith that something better is always coming for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-yamagata/i-do-have-faith-that-something-better-is-always-coming-for-you/) [Rachael Yamagata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-yamagata/) > [The most pernicious of absurdities is that weak, blind, stupid faith is better than the constant practice of every human virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-savage-landor/the-most-pernicious-of-absurdities-is-that-weak-blind-stupid-faith-is/) [Walter Savage Landor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-savage-landor/) > [The smallest seed of faith is better than the largest fruit of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-smallest-seed-of-faith-is-better-than-the-largest-fruit-of/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [If you're gonna put your faith in something, then it better shape who you are and what people see in you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hayley-williams/if-you-re-gonna-put-your-faith-in-something-then-it-better-shape-who/) [Hayley Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hayley-williams/) ## More by Dorothy Thompson > [Peace has to be created, in order to be maintained. It is the product of Faith, Strength, Energy, Will, Sympathy, Justice, Imagination, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/peace-has-to-be-created-in-order-to-be-maintained-it-is-the-product/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [“When liberty is taken away by force, it can be restored by force. When it is relinquished by default it can never be recovered.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/when-liberty-is-taken-away-by-force-it-can-be-restored-by-force-when/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [Courage, it would seem, is nothing less than the power to overcome danger, misfortune, fear, injustice, while continuing to affirm inwardly that life with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/courage-it-would-seem-is-nothing-less-than-the-power-to-overcome/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [“Peace is not the absence of conflict but the presence of creative alternatives for responding to conflict”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/peace-is-not-the-absence-of-conflict-but-the-presence-of-creative/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [The instinct to worship is hardly less strong than the instinct to eat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/the-instinct-to-worship-is-hardly-less-strong-than-the-instinct-to-eat/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [Age is not measured by years. Nature does not equally distribute energy. Some people are born old and tired while others are going strong…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/age-is-not-measured-by-years-nature-does-not-equally-distribute/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [Can one preach at home inequality of races and nations and advocate abroad good-will towards all men?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/can-one-preach-at-home-inequality-of-races-and-nations-and-advocate/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [After the earthquake and the fire comes the still, small voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/after-the-earthquake-and-the-fire-comes-the-still-small-voice/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [To have felt too much is to end in feeling nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/to-have-felt-too-much-is-to-end-in-feeling-nothing/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [The most destructive element in the human mind is fear. Fear creates aggressiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/the-most-destructive-element-in-the-human-mind-is-fear-fear-creates/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [Of all forms of government and society, those of free men and women are in many respects the most brittle. They give the fullest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/of-all-forms-of-government-and-society-those-of-free-men-and-women/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [“Fear grows in darkness; if you think there's a bogeyman around, turn on the light.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/fear-grows-in-darkness-if-you-think-there-s-a-bogeyman-around-turn-on/) [DOROTHY THOMPSON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [Only when we are no longer afraid do we begin to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/only-when-we-are-no-longer-afraid-do-we-begin-to-live/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [Lawlessness is a self-perpetuating, ever-expanding habit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/lawlessness-is-a-self-perpetuating-ever-expanding-habit/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) > [Women have had the vote for over forty years and their organizations lobby in Washington for all sorts of causes; why, why, why don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/women-have-had-the-vote-for-over-forty-years-and-their-organizations/) [Dorothy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) [Explore all 37 Dorothy Thompson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/) ## 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. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. He is attached to it on the belief of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-man-is-prejudiced-in-favour-of-a-thing-knowing-it-to-be-wrong-he/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“The only limitations for your life are the limiting beliefs in your mind. —Matt Morris”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-morris-1/the-only-limitations-for-your-life-are-the-limiting-beliefs-in-your/) Matt Morris (1 > [“Just because your faith is shaken doesn’t mean the faith is shaken. The eternal truths of the Kingdom aren’t altered or affected by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/just-because-your-faith-is-shaken-doesn-t-mean-the-faith-is-shaken/) [Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Once you pull the trigger, you've got to throw balls aggressively and with conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/once-you-pull-the-trigger-you-ve-got-to-throw-balls-aggressively-and/) [Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/) [Browse all 37,796 Faith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The only force that can overcome an idea and a faith is another and better idea and faith, positively and fearlessly upheld.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dorothy Thompson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/the-only-force-that-can-overcome-an-idea-and-a-faith-is-another-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Faith" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/the-only-force-that-can-overcome-an-idea-and-a-faith-is-another-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/dorothy-thompson-17557_faith_the-only-force-that-can-overcome-an-idea_2575959.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/dorothy-thompson-17557_faith_the-only-force-that-can-overcome-an-idea_2575959.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50a/dorothy-thompson-17557_faith_the-only-force-that-can-overcome-an-idea_2575959.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The only force that can overcome an idea and a faith is another and better idea and faith, positively and…” — Dorothy Thompson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dorothy Thompson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-thompson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The only force that can overcome...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/the-only-force-that-can-overcome-an-idea-and-a-faith-is-another-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-thompson/the-only-force-that-can-overcome-an-idea-and-a-faith-is-another-and/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```