--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have an old-fashioned belief that…" description: "\"I have an old-fashioned belief that Americans like to make up their own minds on the basis of all available information.\" — Edward R. Murrow" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/edward-r-murrow-7369_americans_i-have-an-old-fashioned-belief-that-amer_2768911.jpg" --- # I have an old-fashioned belief that Americans like to make… ![“I have an old-fashioned belief that Americans like to make up their own minds on the basis of all available information.” quote by Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/edward-r-murrow-7369_americans_i-have-an-old-fashioned-belief-that-amer_2768911.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/edward-r-murrow-7369_americans_i-have-an-old-fashioned-belief-that-amer_2768911.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/edward-r-murrow-7369_americans_i-have-an-old-fashioned-belief-that-amer_2768911.jpg) > “I have an old-fashioned belief that Americans like to make up their own minds on the basis of all available information.” [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote stresses the value of informed, independent decision‑making based on full information. **In simple terms:** Americans should decide using all facts. Key Takeaway Seek complete information before forming opinions. Themes independence information critical thinking Mood thoughtful analytical Type advisory philosophical When to use this quote - voting - researching news - personal choices - policy debates Key Concepts media literacy democratic participation Questions to Reflect On - How do you verify the completeness of your sources? - What steps help you avoid echo chambers? A Different Perspective It may overlook biases that affect how people interpret information. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans/) [Americans Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans-like/) [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Belief Americans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief-americans-271321/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Fashioned Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashioned-belief-3226945/) [Information](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/information/) [Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like/) [Own](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/own/) [Up](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/up/) ## Related quotes > [Contrary to popular belief, Americans don't hate advertising.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-h-williams/contrary-to-popular-belief-americans-don-t-hate-advertising/) [Roy H. Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-h-williams/) > [It is a deep-seated belief on the part of almost all Americans that their successes will be better assured as they help to build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-g-hoffman/it-is-a-deep-seated-belief-on-the-part-of-almost-all-americans-that/) [Paul G. Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-g-hoffman/) > [I like the mentality of the Americans. It's like when you talk about money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alain-prost/i-like-the-mentality-of-the-americans-it-s-like-when-you-talk-about/) [Alain Prost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alain-prost/) > [Americans like to think 'Python' is how English people really are. There is an element of truth to that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-idle/americans-like-to-think-python-is-how-english-people-really-are-there/) [Eric Idle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-idle/) > [So many Korean Americans like me came to this country with the hope of achieving their own American Dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/so-many-korean-americans-like-me-came-to-this-country-with-the-hope/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [You will find the Americans much like the Greeks found the Romans: great, big, vulgar, bustling people more vigorous than we are and also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-macmillan/you-will-find-the-americans-much-like-the-greeks-found-the-romans/) [Harold Macmillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-macmillan/) > [“Americans like what is easy, and it's easy to like pregnant women - they're like ducklings or bunnies or dogs. Still, it baffles me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gillian-flynn/americans-like-what-is-easy-and-it-s-easy-to-like-pregnant-women-they/) [Gillian Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gillian-flynn/) > [I think Americans like the practical; they like the human. And I like both those things myself, and I try and put them into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-keegan/i-think-americans-like-the-practical-they-like-the-human-and-i-like/) [John Keegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-keegan/) > [ It's a big country out there and there are tens of millions of Americans who like what the president \[Donald Trump\] is doing. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kellyanne-conway/it-s-a-big-country-out-there-and-there-are-tens-of-millions-of/) [Kellyanne Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kellyanne-conway/) > [Americans like swag, eh? I'm coming for you, Westbrook!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luka-doncic/americans-like-swag-eh-i-m-coming-for-you-westbrook/) [Luka Doncic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luka-doncic/) > [I like whimsy and satire, and that's what Americans like so much about Brits. We bring subtlety and sense of humor that you sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milo-yiannopoulos/i-like-whimsy-and-satire-and-that-s-what-americans-like-so-much-about/) [Milo Yiannopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milo-yiannopoulos/) > [Despite the obvious benefits, many Americans do not like Texas. Some even say they despise Texas, and make no secret of their feelings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ian-frazier/despite-the-obvious-benefits-many-americans-do-not-like-texas-some/) [Ian Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ian-frazier/) > [I think Brits probably feel that Americans are more like us than vice-versa, if that makes sense. Because we get everything American over here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hayley-atwell/i-think-brits-probably-feel-that-americans-are-more-like-us-than-vice/) [Hayley Atwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hayley-atwell/) > [My records have done very well in Europe and I want Americans to like my music too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demis-roussos/my-records-have-done-very-well-in-europe-and-i-want-americans-to-like/) [Demis Roussos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demis-roussos/) > [Black Americans like me are free people with free minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vernon-jones/black-americans-like-me-are-free-people-with-free-minds/) [Vernon Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vernon-jones/) ## More by Edward R. Murrow > [Tuberculosis, starvation, fatigue, and there are many who have no desire to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/tuberculosis-starvation-fatigue-and-there-are-many-who-have-no-desire/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [A thing of orchestrated hell-a terrible symphony of light and flame.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/a-thing-of-orchestrated-hell-a-terrible-symphony-of-light-and-flame/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [“A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/a-great-many-people-think-they-are-thinking-when-they-are-really/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [American traditions and the American ethic require us to be truthful, but the most important reason is that truth is the best propaganda and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/american-traditions-and-the-american-ethic-require-us-to-be-truthful/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [We are in the same tent as the clowns and the freaks-that's show business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/we-are-in-the-same-tent-as-the-clowns-and-the-freaks-that-s-show/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [When the politicians complain that TV turns the proceedings into a circus, it should be made clear that the circus was already there, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/when-the-politicians-complain-that-tv-turns-the-proceedings-into-a/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [Most truths are so naked that people feel sorry for them and cover them up, at least a little bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/most-truths-are-so-naked-that-people-feel-sorry-for-them-and-cover/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [We will not be driven by fear into an age of unreason, if we dig deep in our history and our doctrine, and remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/we-will-not-be-driven-by-fear-into-an-age-of-unreason-if-we-dig-deep/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [Senator McCarthy's reckless and unfounded attempt to impugn my loyalty is just one more example of his typical tactic of attempting to tie up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/senator-mccarthy-s-reckless-and-unfounded-attempt-to-impugn-my/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [Our major obligation is not to mistake slogans for solutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/our-major-obligation-is-not-to-mistake-slogans-for-solutions/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [We must not confuse dissent with disloyalty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/we-must-not-confuse-dissent-with-disloyalty/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [We have currently a built-in allergy to unpleasant or disturbing information. Our mass media reflect this. But unless we get up off our fat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/we-have-currently-a-built-in-allergy-to-unpleasant-or-disturbing/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [Don't be deluded into believing that the titular heads of the networks control what appears on their networks. They all have better taste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/don-t-be-deluded-into-believing-that-the-titular-heads-of-the/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [Our history will be what we make of it. If we go on as we are, then history will take its revenge and retribution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/our-history-will-be-what-we-make-of-it-if-we-go-on-as-we-are-then/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) > [I have said, and I believe, that potentially we have in this country a free enterprise system of radio and television which is superior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-r-murrow/i-have-said-and-i-believe-that-potentially-we-have-in-this-country-a/) [Edward R. Murrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) [Explore all 92 Edward R. Murrow quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-r-murrow/) ## More Americans quotes > [“People – Americans, mostly – realise how attached they are to material comforts when they arrive in India.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-william-roberts/people-americans-mostly-realise-how-attached-they-are-to-material/) [Paul William Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-william-roberts/) > [Music has an intrinsic value that touches Americans - they love their music, and want more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-rosen/music-has-an-intrinsic-value-that-touches-americans-they-love-their/) [Hilary Rosen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-rosen/) > [Americans are very friendly and very suspicious, that is what Americans are and that is what always upsets the foreigner, who deals with them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/americans-are-very-friendly-and-very-suspicious-that-is-what/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [“Medical studies have shown that cursing reduces levels of stress and pain. Repressing your anger is not healthy. It's much better to verbalize it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-markus-malloy/medical-studies-have-shown-that-cursing-reduces-levels-of-stress-and/) [Oliver Markus Malloy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-markus-malloy/) > [Just because the Americans are so good at rattling out accessible and cheap junk food, nobody looks twice when it comes to their food.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-oliver/just-because-the-americans-are-so-good-at-rattling-out-accessible-and/) [Jamie Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-oliver/) > [My parents don't care what Americans think of us; we just care what the other Indian people in our community think of us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/himanshu-suri/my-parents-don-t-care-what-americans-think-of-us-we-just-care-what/) [Himanshu Suri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/himanshu-suri/) > [When Americans, who have no idea who I am, laugh at my jokes, it's exactly the same if someone loves you even if you're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gad-elmaleh/when-americans-who-have-no-idea-who-i-am-laugh-at-my-jokes-it-s/) [Gad Elmaleh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gad-elmaleh/) > [So Americans understand the costs of war. Yet as a country, we will never tolerate our security being threatened, nor stand idly by when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-americans-understand-the-costs-of-war-yet-as-a-country-we-will/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We Americans tend to be a prodigal lot. We are as careless with our personal resources as we are with the resources of nature,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-crook-de-camp/we-americans-tend-to-be-a-prodigal-lot-we-are-as-careless-with-our/) [Catherine Crook de Camp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-crook-de-camp/) > [Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-rather/americans-will-put-up-with-anything-provided-it-doesn-t-block-traffic/) [Dan Rather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-rather/) > [Most Americans believe in fairness; we believe that people should work hard but there should be a safety net. We believe in saving the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-maclean/most-americans-believe-in-fairness-we-believe-that-people-should-work/) [Nancy MacLean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-maclean/) > [“Using a wide variety of media, we could demonstrate for our fellow Americans their anxieties, desires, insufficiencies, and frustrations--and how to assuage them all.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-ferris/using-a-wide-variety-of-media-we-could-demonstrate-for-our-fellow/) [Joshua Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-ferris/) > [The Americans say that we are ungrateful-but I ask them for heaven's sake, what should we be grateful to them for-for murdering our fathers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-walker/the-americans-say-that-we-are-ungrateful-but-i-ask-them-for-heaven-s/) [David Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-walker/) > [So many Korean Americans like me came to this country with the hope of achieving their own American Dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/so-many-korean-americans-like-me-came-to-this-country-with-the-hope/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [You are Americans. You love this country. Together we are entrusted with the principles that represent mankind's greatest political and social achievement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tsongas/you-are-americans-you-love-this-country-together-we-are-entrusted/) [Paul Tsongas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tsongas/) [Browse all 1,536 Americans quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/americans/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I have an old-fashioned belief that Americans like to make up their own minds on the basis of all available information.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edward R. 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