---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The proverbial thirteenth chime of the…"
description: "\"The proverbial thirteenth chime of the clock - is not only wrong itself, but calls into question everything that came before it.\" — Glenn Reynolds"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0dc/glenn-reynolds-16238_chimes_the-proverbial-thirteenth-chime-of-the-c_1146058.png"
---

#  The proverbial thirteenth chime of the clock - is not only…

![“The proverbial thirteenth chime of the clock - is not only wrong itself, but calls into question everything that came before it.” quote by Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0dc/glenn-reynolds-16238_chimes_the-proverbial-thirteenth-chime-of-the-c_1146058.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0dc/glenn-reynolds-16238_chimes_the-proverbial-thirteenth-chime-of-the-c_1146058.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0dc/glenn-reynolds-16238_chimes_the-proverbial-thirteenth-chime-of-the-c_1146058.png)

> “The proverbial thirteenth chime of the clock - is not only wrong itself, but calls into question everything that came before it.”

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A single erroneous event can undermine confidence in all prior events.

**In simple terms:** One mistake can cast doubt on everything before it.

Key Takeaway

Question assumptions when new evidence appears.

Themes

error confidence skepticism

Mood

cautious inquisitive

Type

analytical critical

When to use this quote

- news analysis
- historical research
- risk assessment

Key Concepts

cognitive bias critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

- What evidence would restore trust after a mistake?
- How can you guard against over‑reacting to anomalies?

A Different Perspective

Not every error invalidates past data; context matters.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Clock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clock/)

## Related quotes

> [There are two kinds of clocks. There is the clock that is always wrong, and that knows it is wrong, and glories in it;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-k-jerome/there-are-two-kinds-of-clocks-there-is-the-clock-that-is-always-wrong/)

[Jerome K. Jerome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-k-jerome/)

> [“What’s wrong with turning back the clock if the clock is wrong? We need not be slaves to our technologies”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-postman/what-s-wrong-with-turning-back-the-clock-if-the-clock-is-wrong-we/)

[Neil Postman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-postman/)

> [They say time is of the essence, well what if that clock is wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/they-say-time-is-of-the-essence-well-what-if-that-clock-is-wrong/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [As the little girl dances to the melody of the chimes She is not aware of the danger that's behind The sweet soothing sound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana/as-the-little-girl-dances-to-the-melody-of-the-chimes-she-is-not/)

[Christiana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana/)

> [In December ring Every day the chimes; Loud the gleemen sing In the streets their merry rhymes. Let us by the fire Ever higher…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/in-december-ring-every-day-the-chimes-loud-the-gleemen-sing-in-the/)

[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/)

> [In all the practice centers in the tradition of Plum Village whenever the phone rings or the clock chimes in the dining hall, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/in-all-the-practice-centers-in-the-tradition-of-plum-village-whenever/)

[Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/)

> [Love Virtue, she alone is free, She can teach ye how to climb Higher than the sphery chime; Or, if Virtue feeble were, Heav'n…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/love-virtue-she-alone-is-free-she-can-teach-ye-how-to-climb-higher/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [My father was always anxious to give pleasure to his children. Accordingly, he took me one day, as a special treat, to the top…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nasmyth/my-father-was-always-anxious-to-give-pleasure-to-his-children/)

[James Nasmyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nasmyth/)

> [His eyes met mine at the soft touch, and a chime seemed to shake the ley line, realigning the universe. He was mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/his-eyes-met-mine-at-the-soft-touch-and-a-chime-seemed-to-shake-the/)

[Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/)

> [Chimes?" Phyllis asked. "Chimes to call a lover? Chimes with the voice of a bird trapped in them? Chimes that play you whatever song…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/chimes-phyllis-asked-chimes-to-call-a-lover-chimes-with-the-voice-of/)

[Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/)

> [once we began to chime the hour, we lost the ability to be satisfied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/once-we-began-to-chime-the-hour-we-lost-the-ability-to-be-satisfied/)

[Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/)

> [Some men at the approach of a dispute neigh like horses. Unless there be an argument, they think nothing is doing. Some talkers excel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/some-men-at-the-approach-of-a-dispute-neigh-like-horses-unless-there/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [On Melbourne summer mornings the green trams go rolling in stately progress down tunnels thick with leaves: the bright air carries along the avenue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-garner/on-melbourne-summer-mornings-the-green-trams-go-rolling-in-stately/)

[Helen Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-garner/)

> [Those evening bells! those evening bells! How many a tale their music tells Of youth and home, and that sweet time When last I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/those-evening-bells-those-evening-bells-how-many-a-tale-their-music/)

[Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/)

> [ Quentin \[Taranino\] will say, "We've got it, but we're gonna do it one more time. Why?" And then, the entire cast and crew chimes… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/quentin-taranino-will-say-we-ve-got-it-but-we-re-gonna-do-it-one-more/)

[Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/)

## More by Glenn Reynolds

> [I'd actually love to think that I could trust Kerry on national security. But the only way I could do that, at this point,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/i-d-actually-love-to-think-that-i-could-trust-kerry-on-national/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [A 'well regulated militia' was thus one that was well-trained and equipped, not one that was 'well-regulated' in the modern sense of being subjected…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/a-well-regulated-militia-was-thus-one-that-was-well-trained-and/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [One reason that a lot of people see me as cheerful and optimistic is that my expectations are really rather low.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/one-reason-that-a-lot-of-people-see-me-as-cheerful-and-optimistic-is/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [But remember: All this talk of tolerance and diversity is basically just a way for one group of white people to pursue power over…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/but-remember-all-this-talk-of-tolerance-and-diversity-is-basically/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [The purpose of the right to bear arms is twofold; to allow individuals to protect themselves and their families, and to ensure a body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/the-purpose-of-the-right-to-bear-arms-is-twofold-to-allow-individuals/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [Personally, I'd be delighted to live in a country where happily married gay couples had closets full of assault weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/personally-i-d-be-delighted-to-live-in-a-country-where-happily/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [The nannyism is partly to distract from the corruption — and partly just another opportunity to leverage it. A good general rule is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/the-nannyism-is-partly-to-distract-from-the-corruption-and-partly/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [When people say things like "don't let this moment pass without acting on gun control," what they're really saying is our arguments are so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/when-people-say-things-like-don-t-let-this-moment-pass-without-acting/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [That's the thing about conspiracy theories: in a comforting sort of way, they give rise to the feeling that someone, somewhere, knows what's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/that-s-the-thing-about-conspiracy-theories-in-a-comforting-sort-of/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [Let's be honest: Kerry has no idea what it is to be even a middle-class white in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/let-s-be-honest-kerry-has-no-idea-what-it-is-to-be-even-a-middle/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [Government, we are sometimes told, is just another word for things we choose to do together. Like a lot of things politicians say, this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/government-we-are-sometimes-told-is-just-another-word-for-things-we/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [Political Wire is one of the absolute must-read sites in the blogosphere.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/political-wire-is-one-of-the-absolute-must-read-sites-in-the/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [Hmm. Petty? Yes. Ineffectual? Yes. Infuriating and off-putting? Yes. Counterproductive? Yes. It's got to be a product of the French Foreign Ministry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/hmm-petty-yes-ineffectual-yes-infuriating-and-off-putting-yes/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [As my father-in-law once said, when they talk about taxes it's always for teachers, firemen, and police - but when they spend your taxes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/as-my-father-in-law-once-said-when-they-talk-about-taxes-it-s-always/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

> [I can think of no better reason to vote against Obama than the prospect of an administration where any criticism of the President is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/i-can-think-of-no-better-reason-to-vote-against-obama-than-the/)

[Glenn Reynolds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

[Explore all 40 Glenn Reynolds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/)

## More Chimes quotes

> [ Quentin \[Taranino\] will say, "We've got it, but we're gonna do it one more time. Why?" And then, the entire cast and crew chimes… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walton-goggins/quentin-taranino-will-say-we-ve-got-it-but-we-re-gonna-do-it-one-more/)

[Walton Goggins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walton-goggins/)

> [Those evening bells! those evening bells! How many a tale their music tells Of youth and home, and that sweet time When last I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lamb/those-evening-bells-those-evening-bells-how-many-a-tale-their-music/)

[Charles Lamb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lamb/)

> [On Melbourne summer mornings the green trams go rolling in stately progress down tunnels thick with leaves: the bright air carries along the avenue…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-garner/on-melbourne-summer-mornings-the-green-trams-go-rolling-in-stately/)

[Helen Garner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-garner/)

> [Some men at the approach of a dispute neigh like horses. Unless there be an argument, they think nothing is doing. Some talkers excel…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/some-men-at-the-approach-of-a-dispute-neigh-like-horses-unless-there/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [once we began to chime the hour, we lost the ability to be satisfied](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/once-we-began-to-chime-the-hour-we-lost-the-ability-to-be-satisfied/)

[Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/)

> [Chimes?" Phyllis asked. "Chimes to call a lover? Chimes with the voice of a bird trapped in them? Chimes that play you whatever song…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-rees-brennan/chimes-phyllis-asked-chimes-to-call-a-lover-chimes-with-the-voice-of/)

[Sarah Rees Brennan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-rees-brennan/)

> [His eyes met mine at the soft touch, and a chime seemed to shake the ley line, realigning the universe. He was mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-harrison/his-eyes-met-mine-at-the-soft-touch-and-a-chime-seemed-to-shake-the/)

[Kim Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-harrison/)

> [My father was always anxious to give pleasure to his children. Accordingly, he took me one day, as a special treat, to the top…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-nasmyth/my-father-was-always-anxious-to-give-pleasure-to-his-children/)

[James Nasmyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-nasmyth/)

> [Love Virtue, she alone is free, She can teach ye how to climb Higher than the sphery chime; Or, if Virtue feeble were, Heav'n…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/love-virtue-she-alone-is-free-she-can-teach-ye-how-to-climb-higher/)

[John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/)

> [In all the practice centers in the tradition of Plum Village whenever the phone rings or the clock chimes in the dining hall, people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/in-all-the-practice-centers-in-the-tradition-of-plum-village-whenever/)

[Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/)

> [In December ring Every day the chimes; Loud the gleemen sing In the streets their merry rhymes. Let us by the fire Ever higher…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/in-december-ring-every-day-the-chimes-loud-the-gleemen-sing-in-the/)

[Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/)

> [As the little girl dances to the melody of the chimes She is not aware of the danger that's behind The sweet soothing sound…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiana/as-the-little-girl-dances-to-the-melody-of-the-chimes-she-is-not/)

[Christiana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiana/)

> [For the time of towns is tolled from the world by funereal chimes, but in nature the universal hours are counted by succeeding tribes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/for-the-time-of-towns-is-tolled-from-the-world-by-funereal-chimes-but/)

[Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/)

> [Aunts offer kids an opportunity to try out ideas that don't chime with their parents and they also demonstrate that people can get on,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-sheridan/aunts-offer-kids-an-opportunity-to-try-out-ideas-that-don-t-chime/)

[Sara Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-sheridan/)

> [I personally think 'Chimes of Midnight' is a much better film than 'Citizen Kane.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-mckay/i-personally-think-chimes-of-midnight-is-a-much-better-film-than/)

[Christian McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-mckay/)

Browse all 77 Chimes quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "The proverbial thirteenth chime of the clock - is not only wrong itself, but calls into question everything that came before it.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Glenn Reynolds"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/the-proverbial-thirteenth-chime-of-the-clock-is-not-only-wrong-itself/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Chimes"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/the-proverbial-thirteenth-chime-of-the-clock-is-not-only-wrong-itself/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0dc/glenn-reynolds-16238_chimes_the-proverbial-thirteenth-chime-of-the-c_1146058.png",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0dc/glenn-reynolds-16238_chimes_the-proverbial-thirteenth-chime-of-the-c_1146058.png",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0dc/glenn-reynolds-16238_chimes_the-proverbial-thirteenth-chime-of-the-c_1146058.png",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“The proverbial thirteenth chime of the clock - is not only wrong itself, but calls into question everything…” — Glenn Reynolds",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Glenn Reynolds",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-reynolds/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "The proverbial thirteenth chime of the...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/the-proverbial-thirteenth-chime-of-the-clock-is-not-only-wrong-itself/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-reynolds/the-proverbial-thirteenth-chime-of-the-clock-is-not-only-wrong-itself/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```