Break Quote by Frances Wright
“How prone we are to come to the consideration of every question with heads and hearts pre-occupied! How prone to shrink from any opinion, however reasonable, if it be opposed to any, however unreasonable, of our own! How disposed are we to judge, in anger, those who call upon us to think, and encourage us to enquire! To question our prejudices seems nothing less than sacrilege; to break the chains of our ignorance, nothing short of impiety!”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown, 19th century abolitionist lecture
The quote warns that people often let emotions and bias block rational inquiry, condemning dissent and questioning as taboo.
In simple terms: Emotion blocks rational thinking and condemns dissent.
Key Takeaway
Recognize bias and welcome questioning.
Themes
bias
emotion
critical thinking
intellectual humility
Mood
reflective
critical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- public debate
- academic research
- personal reflection
- media consumption
- policy making
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
social conformity
intellectual freedom
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we create spaces that encourage questioning?
- What habits help us notice when we are judging emotionally?
A Different Perspective
It may overstate the universality of such behavior without context.
