--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They must find it hard to take Truth for…" description: "\"They must find it hard to take Truth for authority who have so long mistaken Authority for Truth.\" — Gerald Massey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b79/gerald-massey-22193_authority_they-must-find-it-hard-to-take-truth-for_694058.png" --- # They must find it hard to take Truth for authority who… ![“They must find it hard to take Truth for authority who have so long mistaken Authority for Truth.” quote by Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b79/gerald-massey-22193_authority_they-must-find-it-hard-to-take-truth-for_694058.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b79/gerald-massey-22193_authority_they-must-find-it-hard-to-take-truth-for_694058.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b79/gerald-massey-22193_authority_they-must-find-it-hard-to-take-truth-for_694058.png) > “They must find it hard to take Truth for authority who have so long mistaken Authority for Truth.” [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People confuse authority with truth, making it hard to question established power. **In simple terms:** Authority is mistaken for truth, hindering critical thinking. Key Takeaway Question authority, seek evidence. Themes authority truth critical thinking Mood skeptical inquisitive Type philosophical political When to use this quote - political discourse - education - media consumption - leadership Key Concepts philosophy epistemology Questions to Reflect On - What evidence supports a claim? - When should we trust authority? A Different Perspective Authority can be legitimate and trustworthy. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/authority/) [Hard Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-truth/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Making mistakes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/making-mistakes/) [Mistake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mistake/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Wise words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wise-words/) ## Related quotes > [They must find it difficult ... those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/they-must-find-it-difficult-those-who-have-taken-authority-as-the/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [“They must find it difficult, those who have taken authority as truth, rather than truth as authority.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/they-must-find-it-difficult-those-who-have-taken-authority-as-truth/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [Truth for authority, not authority for truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretia-mott/truth-for-authority-not-authority-for-truth/) [Lucretia Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretia-mott/) > [... my convictions led me to adhere to the sufficiency of the light within us, resting on truth as authority, rather than 'taking authority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucretia-mott/my-convictions-led-me-to-adhere-to-the-sufficiency-of-the-light/) [Lucretia Mott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucretia-mott/) > [ \[Management\] has authority only as long as it performs. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-drucker/management-has-authority-only-as-long-as-it-performs/) [Peter Drucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-drucker/) > [Do I think it's OK to fight authority as long as you're only talking about the high school teacher? No.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mellencamp/do-i-think-it-s-ok-to-fight-authority-as-long-as-you-re-only-talking/) [John Mellencamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mellencamp/) > [Adhere to the Truth rather than to the personality, and take to heart the Truth rather than the authority of another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/adhere-to-the-truth-rather-than-to-the-personality-and-take-to-heart/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [Nothing overshadows truth so much as authority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-battista-alberti/nothing-overshadows-truth-so-much-as-authority/) [Leon Battista Alberti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-battista-alberti/) > [Real spiritual authority has to do with the truth of the actual words being spoken, and the spirit of the person behind the words.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ortberg/real-spiritual-authority-has-to-do-with-the-truth-of-the-actual-words/) [John Ortberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ortberg/) > [“Without an ultimate authority for truth, all human striving has no ultimate value, and life itself becomes futile. Modern trends in preaching that deny…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-chapell/without-an-ultimate-authority-for-truth-all-human-striving-has-no/) [Bryan Chapell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-chapell/) > [“...people quote proverbs without realizing they're really in awe of the authority of their truth and the power of their expression...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-geddes/people-quote-proverbs-without-realizing-they-re-really-in-awe-of-the/) [John Geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-geddes/) > [In the world of knowledge, the essential Form of Good is the limit of our inquiries, and can barely be perceived; but, when perceived,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/in-the-world-of-knowledge-the-essential-form-of-good-is-the-limit-of/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“The hard truth is that if we fail to take time to think deeply about the unsearchable, wonderful, endless depths of the Word of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aaron-armstrong/the-hard-truth-is-that-if-we-fail-to-take-time-to-think-deeply-about/) Aaron Armstrong > [“I don't wish for the red house back, not really, yet in a way, I wish for everything back that ever was, everything that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katrina-kenison/i-don-t-wish-for-the-red-house-back-not-really-yet-in-a-way-i-wish/) [Katrina Kenison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katrina-kenison/) > [When people ask my advice on a situation I've been in I just give cold hard truth, no use in sugar coating...feelings are on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-people-ask-my-advice-on-a-situation-i-ve-been-in-i-just-give/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Gerald Massey > [Not by appointment do we meet Delight And Joy; they heed not our expectancy; But round some corner in the streets of life, They,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/not-by-appointment-do-we-meet-delight-and-joy-they-heed-not-our/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [The plough of Time breaks up our Eden-land, And tramples down its fruitful flowery prime. Yet thro' the dust of ages living shoots O'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/the-plough-of-time-breaks-up-our-eden-land-and-tramples-down-its/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [Not by appointment do we meet delight Or joy; they heed not our expectancy; But round some corner of the streets of life they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/not-by-appointment-do-we-meet-delight-or-joy-they-heed-not-our/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [And thou hast stolen a jewel, Death! Shall light thy dark up like a Star. A Beacon kindling from afar Our light of love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/and-thou-hast-stolen-a-jewel-death-shall-light-thy-dark-up-like-a/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [“They must find it difficult, those who have taken authority as truth, rather than truth as authority.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/they-must-find-it-difficult-those-who-have-taken-authority-as-truth/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [In this dim world of clouding cares, We rarely know, till wildered eyes See white wings lessening up the skies, The angels with us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/in-this-dim-world-of-clouding-cares-we-rarely-know-till-wildered-eyes/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [The Future, like a fruitfuller Summer, sits Ripening her Eden silently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/the-future-like-a-fruitfuller-summer-sits-ripening-her-eden-silently/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [When man to man shall be friend and brother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/when-man-to-man-shall-be-friend-and-brother/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [The heart is like an instrument whose strings Steal magic music from Life's mystic frets.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/the-heart-is-like-an-instrument-whose-strings-steal-magic-music-from/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [The heart is like an instrument whose strings Steal nobler music from Life's many frets: The golden threads are spun thro' Suffering's fire, Wherewith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/the-heart-is-like-an-instrument-whose-strings-steal-nobler-music-from/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [I know no better way of waging the battle for Truth than arraying the facts face to face on either side and letting them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/i-know-no-better-way-of-waging-the-battle-for-truth-than-arraying-the/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [Our dearest hopes in pangs are born, The kingliest Kings are crown'd with thorn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/our-dearest-hopes-in-pangs-are-born-the-kingliest-kings-are-crown-d/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [All the rarest hues of human life take radiance and are rainbowed out in tears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/all-the-rarest-hues-of-human-life-take-radiance-and-are-rainbowed-out/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [Still all the day the iron wheels go onward, Grinding life down from its mark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/still-all-the-day-the-iron-wheels-go-onward-grinding-life-down-from/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) > [Christianity was neither original nor unique, but that the roots of much of the Judeo/ Christian tradition lay in the prevailing Kamite (ancient Egyptian)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-massey/christianity-was-neither-original-nor-unique-but-that-the-roots-of/) [Gerald Massey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) [Explore all 28 Gerald Massey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-massey/) ## More Authority quotes > [I don't believe in competitions between artists. This is insane. Who has the authority to say someone is better?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-arkin/i-don-t-believe-in-competitions-between-artists-this-is-insane-who/) [Alan Arkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-arkin/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. However, even if a woman is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yusuf-al-qaradawi/islam-never-differentiates-between-men-and-women-as-regards-political/) [Yusuf al-Qaradawi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yusuf-al-qaradawi/) > [I think people need to be comfortable questioning the authority of a doctor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susannah-cahalan/i-think-people-need-to-be-comfortable-questioning-the-authority-of-a/) [Susannah Cahalan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susannah-cahalan/) > [At a distance, we cannot conceive of the authority of a despot who knows all his subjects on sight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stendhal/at-a-distance-we-cannot-conceive-of-the-authority-of-a-despot-who/) [Stendhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stendhal/) > [Throughout human history, as our species has faced the frightening, terrorizing fact that we do not know who we are, or where we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/throughout-human-history-as-our-species-has-faced-the-frightening/) [Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/) > [“I'm of the age and immaturity level that I cannot give you my respect solely because you are older or ranked higher on an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erica-goros/i-m-of-the-age-and-immaturity-level-that-i-cannot-give-you-my-respect/) [Erica Goros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erica-goros/) > [In the end theologians are jealous of science, for they are aware that it has greater authority than do their own ways of finding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-a-coyne/in-the-end-theologians-are-jealous-of-science-for-they-are-aware-that/) [Jerry A. Coyne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-a-coyne/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [The execution was set for the 29th of March, at nine in the morning. This delay was due to a desire on the part…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/the-execution-was-set-for-the-29th-of-march-at-nine-in-the-morning/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [I started with the belief that every person who came to the laboratory was free to accept or to reject the dictates of authority.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stanley-milgram/i-started-with-the-belief-that-every-person-who-came-to-the/) [Stanley Milgram](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stanley-milgram/) > [The rationale which accompanies that imposition of male authority euphemistically referred to as 'the battle of the sexes' bears a certain resemblance to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-millett/the-rationale-which-accompanies-that-imposition-of-male-authority/) [Kate Millett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-millett/) > [“We are at the mercy of whoever wields authority over the things we either desire or detest. 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