Confidence Quote by Edward Gibbon
“Where the subject lies so far beyond our reach, the difference between the highest and the lowest of human understandings may indeed be calculated as infinitely small; yet the degree of weakness may perhaps be measured by the degree of obstinacy and dogmatic confidence.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Edward Gibbon, 1776
Human understanding is limited; arrogance and obstinacy reveal weakness.
In simple terms: Limited knowledge, arrogance shows weakness.
Key Takeaway
Stay humble and open‑minded.
Themes
humility
knowledge
arrogance
Mood
thoughtful
critical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- political debate
- personal growth
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
epistemology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs do you hold too firmly?
- How can you foster open dialogue?
A Different Perspective
Intellectual humility can be hard to maintain under pressure.
![“I have taken on many Understandings in my life [...]. I have listened to another Messenger's incomprehensible signals in the night. The thing you call God is not even alone in the sky. It is a thing of metal that demands we make more things of metal - and I have seen it, how small it is.” quote by Adrian Tchaikovsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/80a/adrian-tchaikovsky-21498_alone_i-have-taken-on-many-understandings-in-m_1347667.jpg)
![“That country [Carthage] was rapidly sinking into the state of barbarism from whence it had been raised by the Phoenician colonies and Roman laws; and every step of intestine discord was marked by some deplorable victory of savage man over civilized society.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/70c/edward-gibbon-710_barbarism_that-country-carthage-was-rapidly-sinkin_393.jpg)
![“[In] the national and religious conflict of the [Byzantine and Saracen] empires, peace was without confidence, and war without mercy.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/338/edward-gibbon-710_byzantine_in-the-national-and-religious-conflict-o_29382.jpg)
![“[Every] hour of delay abates the fame and force of the invader, and multiplies the resources of defensive war.” quote by Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4de/edward-gibbon-710_delay_every-hour-of-delay-abates-the-fame-and_94668.jpg)
