--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: No man should dogmatize except on the…" description: "\"No man should dogmatize except on the subject of theology. Here he can take his stand, and by throwing the burden of proof on the opposition, he is inv..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/432/elbert-hubbard-510_burden_no-man-should-dogmatize-except-on-the-su_2916921.jpg" --- # No man should dogmatize except on the subject of theology… ![“No man should dogmatize except on the subject of theology. Here he can take his stand, and by throwing the burden of proof on the opposition, he is invincible. We have to die to find out whether he is right.” quote by Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/432/elbert-hubbard-510_burden_no-man-should-dogmatize-except-on-the-su_2916921.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/432/elbert-hubbard-510_burden_no-man-should-dogmatize-except-on-the-su_2916921.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/432/elbert-hubbard-510_burden_no-man-should-dogmatize-except-on-the-su_2916921.jpg) > “No man should dogmatize except on the subject of theology. Here he can take his stand, and by throwing the burden of proof on the opposition, he is invincible. We have to die to find out whether he is right.” [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dogmatizing theology is acceptable, but shifting proof burden makes arguments invincible, urging humility. **In simple terms:** Only theology can be dogmatic; shifting proof burden blocks debate. Key Takeaway Challenge assumptions and demand evidence. Themes theology argumentation intellectual humility Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - debates - academic writing - public discourse Key Concepts philosophy critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - When do you accept uncertainty? - How can you foster open dialogue? A Different Perspective Proof-shifting can stall progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Burden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden/) [Burden of proof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden-of-proof/) [Dogmatism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dogmatism/) [Invincible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/invincible/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Opposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opposition/) [Theology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/theology/) ## Related quotes > [Explore, and explore. Be neither chided nor flattered out of your position of perpetual inquiry. Neither dogmatize or accept another's dogmatism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/explore-and-explore-be-neither-chided-nor-flattered-out-of-your/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No one should dogmatize about the capacity of human nature for degradation or exaltation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-one-should-dogmatize-about-the-capacity-of-human-nature-for/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Given our abundance, the burden of proof should always be on keeping, not giving. Why would you not give? We err by beginning with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-alcorn/given-our-abundance-the-burden-of-proof-should-always-be-on-keeping/) [Randy Alcorn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randy-alcorn/) > [Religion is as harmless as a toddler with a handgun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rock-cowles/religion-is-as-harmless-as-a-toddler-with-a-handgun/) [Rock Cowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rock-cowles/) > [I've always maintained that black people and women suffer from a presumption of incompetence. The burdens of proof are different. It just gets so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-moseley-braun/i-ve-always-maintained-that-black-people-and-women-suffer-from-a/) [Carol Moseley Braun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-moseley-braun/) > [ The threat \[of the U.S. bills SOPA and PIPA\] is the inversion of the burden of proof, where we suddenly are all treated like… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clay-shirky/the-threat-of-the-u-s-bills-sopa-and-pipa-is-the-inversion-of-the/) [Clay Shirky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clay-shirky/) > [“I don't accept the currently fashionable assertion that any view is automatically as worthy of respect as any equal and opposite view. My view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-adams/i-don-t-accept-the-currently-fashionable-assertion-that-any-view-is/) [Douglas Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-adams/) > [An atheist is merely someone who doesn't believe in god/s. 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It shouldn't take years of study to not believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rock-cowles/i-d-like-to-see-atheism-represented-not-only-as-an-intelligent-choice/) [Rock Cowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rock-cowles/) > [The secret to happiness is to put the burden of proof on unhappiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-breault/the-secret-to-happiness-is-to-put-the-burden-of-proof-on-unhappiness/) [Robert Breault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-breault/) > [I know the rules and have a clear conscience. I'm an atheist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rock-cowles/i-know-the-rules-and-have-a-clear-conscience-i-m-an-atheist/) [Rock Cowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rock-cowles/) > [There is more evidence to support the possibility that there could be a crack smoking Velociraptor in a pink tutu playing the ukelele in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rock-cowles/there-is-more-evidence-to-support-the-possibility-that-there-could-be/) [Rock Cowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rock-cowles/) > [In debates between anarchists and statists, the burden of proof clearly should rest on those who place their trust in the state. Anarchy's mayhem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-higgs/in-debates-between-anarchists-and-statists-the-burden-of-proof/) [Robert Higgs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-higgs/) ## More by Elbert Hubbard > [The teacher is one who makes two ideas grow where only one grew before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-teacher-is-one-who-makes-two-ideas-grow-where-only-one-grew-before/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The highest reward that God gives us for good work is the ability to do better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-highest-reward-that-god-gives-us-for-good-work-is-the-ability-to/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Art is nothing; it's a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/art-is-nothing-it-s-a-way/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Library: A place where the dead lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/library-a-place-where-the-dead-lie/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [“If we cannot be happy and powerful and prey on others, we invent conscience and prey on ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/if-we-cannot-be-happy-and-powerful-and-prey-on-others-we-invent/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The poor and ignorant will continue to lie and steal as long as the rich and educated show them how.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-poor-and-ignorant-will-continue-to-lie-and-steal-as-long-as-the/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [So long as governments set the example of killing their enemies, private individuals will occasionally kill theirs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/so-long-as-governments-set-the-example-of-killing-their-enemies/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [If I supply you with a thought, you may remember it and you may not. But if I can make you think a thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/if-i-supply-you-with-a-thought-you-may-remember-it-and-you-may-not/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 A conservative is a man who is too cowardly to fight and too fat to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/1-2-3-4-5-a-conservative-is-a-man-who-is-too-cowardly-to-fight-and/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The great man is not so great as folks think, and the dull man is not quite so stupid as he seems. The difference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-great-man-is-not-so-great-as-folks-think-and-the-dull-man-is-not/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Every knock is a boost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/every-knock-is-a-boost/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [What boy well raised can compare with your street gamin who has the knowledge and the shrewdness of a grown-up broker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/what-boy-well-raised-can-compare-with-your-street-gamin-who-has-the/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Don't make excuses, make good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/don-t-make-excuses-make-good/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [What people need and what they want may be very different… Teachers are those who educate the people to appreciate the things they need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/what-people-need-and-what-they-want-may-be-very-different-teachers/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Men who sit back and pride themselves on their culture haven't any to speak of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/men-who-sit-back-and-pride-themselves-on-their-culture-haven-t-any-to/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) [Explore all 506 Elbert Hubbard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) ## More Burden quotes > [Everything I do is more memorable and I understand music more than ever now. It's not a burden to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seungri/everything-i-do-is-more-memorable-and-i-understand-music-more-than/) [Seungri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seungri/) > [I am at a point in my life where everything I have worked for starts to look like a burden, a weight on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simone-abou-samra/i-am-at-a-point-in-my-life-where-everything-i-have-worked-for-starts/) Simone Abou Samra > [Trump's enduring appeal is a resource to be harnessed by the Republican Party, not a burden to be jettisoned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miranda-devine/trump-s-enduring-appeal-is-a-resource-to-be-harnessed-by-the/) [Miranda Devine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miranda-devine/) > [We want to free our citizens from the burden of excessive paper documents in every office. We want paperless transactions. We will set up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/we-want-to-free-our-citizens-from-the-burden-of-excessive-paper/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-cannot-go-back-in-time-and-change-the-past-but-we-can-repent-the/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [The world around us is an increasingly hostile and sinful place. Occasionally that splashes onto us, and perhaps, in the case of a few…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-world-around-us-is-an-increasingly-hostile-and-sinful-place/) [Jeffrey R. 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