Doubt Quote by Douglas Adams
““I commend you on your skepticism, but even the skeptical mind must be prepared to accept the unacceptable when there is no alternative. If it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, we have at least to consider the possibility that we have a small aquatic bird of the family Anatidæ on our hands.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 1979
Skepticism must stay open‑minded; when evidence points strongly, accept unlikely possibilities.
In simple terms: Even skeptics must sometimes accept unlikely truths.
Stay open to evidence even if it feels uncomfortable.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- legal investigations
- medical diagnosis
- everyday decision‑making
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you let doubt hinder a necessary decision?
- How do you balance skepticism with openness?
Over‑reliance on doubt can paralyze action.