--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The true value of a man is not determined…" description: "\"“The true value of a man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth. It is..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/346/gotthold-ephraim-lessing-9335_faith_the-true-value-of-a-man-is-not-determine_2437258.jpg" --- # The true value of a man is not determined by his… ![“The true value of a man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth. It is not possession of the Truth, but rather the pursuit of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectibility is to be…” quote by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/346/gotthold-ephraim-lessing-9335_faith_the-true-value-of-a-man-is-not-determine_2437258.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/346/gotthold-ephraim-lessing-9335_faith_the-true-value-of-a-man-is-not-determine_2437258.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/346/gotthold-ephraim-lessing-9335_faith_the-true-value-of-a-man-is-not-determine_2437258.jpg) > ““The true value of a man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth. It is not possession of the Truth, but rather the pursuit of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectibility is to be found. Possession makes one passive, indolent, and proud.”” [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True worth lies in the active pursuit of truth, not in claiming to possess it; effort expands ability and growth. **In simple terms:** Worth is measured by seeking truth, not owning it. Key Takeaway Seek truth actively. Themes philosophy ethics personal growth Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - academic debate - personal reflection - leadership development Key Concepts Truth effort humility Questions to Reflect On - How does active seeking shape character? - What habits prevent passive claim to truth? A Different Perspective Possession can breed complacency and arrogance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Exertion Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exertion-truth-356251/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [Perfectibility Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/perfectibility-possession-356249/) [Possession Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possession-truth-356247/) [True value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-value/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Exertion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-exertion-356250/) [Truth Possession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-possession-356248/) ## Related quotes > [“The true value of a man is not determined b his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-lessing/the-true-value-of-a-man-is-not-determined-b-his-possession-supposed/) [Gotthold Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-lessing/) > [The true value of man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-true-value-of-man-is-not-determined-by-his-possession-supposed-or/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The true value of a man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/the-true-value-of-a-man-is-not-determined-by-his-possession-supposed-3/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [“The true value of a man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-true-value-of-a-man-is-not-determined-by-his-possession-supposed/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [To have the truth in your possession you can be found guilty, sentenced to death.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-tosh/to-have-the-truth-in-your-possession-you-can-be-found-guilty/) [Peter Tosh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-tosh/) > [When we believe ourselves in possession of the only truth, we are likely to be indifferent to common everyday truths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/when-we-believe-ourselves-in-possession-of-the-only-truth-we-are/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [It is not the possession of truth, but the success which attends the seeking after it, that enriches the seeker and brings happiness to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-planck/it-is-not-the-possession-of-truth-but-the-success-which-attends-the/) [Max Planck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-planck/) > [Few things have done more harm than the belief on the part of individuals or groups (or tribes or states or nations or churches)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-berlin/few-things-have-done-more-harm-than-the-belief-on-the-part-of/) [Isaiah Berlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-berlin/) > [“I have spent a lifetime looking for remedies to all manner of life's problems -- personal, social, political, global. I am deeply suspicious of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-albright/i-have-spent-a-lifetime-looking-for-remedies-to-all-manner-of-life-s/) [Madeleine Albright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-albright/) > [It is one thing to show a man that he is in an error, and another to put him in possession of the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/it-is-one-thing-to-show-a-man-that-he-is-in-an-error-and-another-to/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [A man may be in as just possession of the truth as of a city, and yet be forced to surrender.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/a-man-may-be-in-as-just-possession-of-the-truth-as-of-a-city-and-yet/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [Apocalypse does not point to a fiery Armageddon but to the fact that our ignorance and our complacency are coming to an end… The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-campbell/apocalypse-does-not-point-to-a-fiery-armageddon-but-to-the-fact-that/) [Joseph Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-campbell/) > [“A man may be in as just possession of truth as of a City, and yet be forced to surrender it - this was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-s-byatt/a-man-may-be-in-as-just-possession-of-truth-as-of-a-city-and-yet-be/) [A.S. Byatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-s-byatt/) > [For a creative writer possession of the 'truth' is less important than emotional sincerity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/for-a-creative-writer-possession-of-the-truth-is-less-important-than/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We thought we left possession behind but truth is I was yours and you were mine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ani-difranco/we-thought-we-left-possession-behind-but-truth-is-i-was-yours-and-you/) [Ani Difranco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ani-difranco/) ## More by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing > [To look forward to pleasure is also a pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/to-look-forward-to-pleasure-is-also-a-pleasure/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [They make glorious shipwreck who are lost in seeking worlds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/they-make-glorious-shipwreck-who-are-lost-in-seeking-worlds/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most perfect prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/a-single-grateful-thought-toward-heaven-is-the-most-perfect-prayer/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Mocking laughter from Hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/mocking-laughter-from-hell/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [The superstition in which we were brought up never loses its power over us, even after we understand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-superstition-in-which-we-were-brought-up-never-loses-its-power/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [He who doesn't lose his wits over certain things has no wits to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/he-who-doesn-t-lose-his-wits-over-certain-things-has-no-wits-to-lose/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Joy makes us giddy, dizzy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/joy-makes-us-giddy-dizzy/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [The real beggar is indeed the true and only king.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-real-beggar-is-indeed-the-true-and-only-king/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Well was it said by a man of sagacity that dancing was a sort of privileged and reputable folly, and that the best way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/well-was-it-said-by-a-man-of-sagacity-that-dancing-was-a-sort-of/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [We moderns do not believe in demigods, but our smallest hero we expect to feel and act as a demigod.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/we-moderns-do-not-believe-in-demigods-but-our-smallest-hero-we-expect/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Resist as much as thou wilt; heaven's ways are heaven's ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/resist-as-much-as-thou-wilt-heaven-s-ways-are-heaven-s-ways/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [The gift of prayer is not always at our command.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-gift-of-prayer-is-not-always-at-our-command/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [It is medicine, not poison, I offer you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/it-is-medicine-not-poison-i-offer-you/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [The lion is ashamed, it's true, when he hunts with the fox.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-lion-is-ashamed-it-s-true-when-he-hunts-with-the-fox/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [With a clear sky, a bright sun, and a gentle breeze, you will have friends in plenty; but let fortune frown, and the firmament…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/with-a-clear-sky-a-bright-sun-and-a-gentle-breeze-you-will-have/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) [Explore all 68 Gotthold Ephraim Lessing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) ## More Faith quotes > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Keep the faith, and keep going strong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/keep-the-faith-and-keep-going-strong/) [Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) [Riffat Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/riffat-hassan/) > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. Truman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-s-truman/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. He is attached to it on the belief of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/no-man-is-prejudiced-in-favour-of-a-thing-knowing-it-to-be-wrong-he/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“The only limitations for your life are the limiting beliefs in your mind. —Matt Morris”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-morris-1/the-only-limitations-for-your-life-are-the-limiting-beliefs-in-your/) [Matt Morris (1](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-morris-1/) > [“Just because your faith is shaken doesn’t mean the faith is shaken. The eternal truths of the Kingdom aren’t altered or affected by the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-arthur/just-because-your-faith-is-shaken-doesn-t-mean-the-faith-is-shaken/) [Sarah Arthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-arthur/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Once you pull the trigger, you've got to throw balls aggressively and with conviction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-smith/once-you-pull-the-trigger-you-ve-got-to-throw-balls-aggressively-and/) [Alex Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-smith/) [Browse all 37,796 Faith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The true value of a man is not determined by his possession, supposed or real, of Truth, but rather by his sincere exertion to get to the Truth. It is not possession of the Truth, but rather the pursuit of Truth by which he extends his powers and in which his ever-growing perfectibility is to be found. 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