Argument Quote by Henry B. Eyring
“There are few ways in which good people do more harm to those who take them seriously than to defend the gospel with arguments that won't hold water. Many of the difficulties encountered by young people going to college would be avoided if parents and teachers were more careful to distinguish between what they know to be true and what they think may be true. Impetuous youth, upon finding the authority it trusts crumbling, even on unimportant details, is apt to lump everything together and throw the baby out with the bath.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Miracle of the Holy Spirit by Henry B. Eyring, 2005
Good people can cause more damage by defending faith with weak arguments than by confronting falsehoods directly; youth suffer when authority collapses without clear distinction between truth and speculation.
In simple terms: Weak defenses harm more than direct attacks; youth need clear truth.
Key Takeaway
Teach critical thinking and honest dialogue.
Themes
faith
education
authority
youth
truth
Mood
concerned
thoughtful
encouraging
Type
advice
reflective
educational
When to use this quote
- college counseling
- parental guidance
- religious instruction
- public speaking
- media literacy
Key Concepts
epistemology
critical thinking
trust
dogmatism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance respectful dialogue with intellectual rigor?
- What practices help youth discern reliable authority?
A Different Perspective
If arguments are flawed, they can undermine credibility and cause greater confusion.
