Accounts Quote by Horace Walpole
“How posterity will laugh at us, one way or other! If half a dozen break their necks, and balloonism is exploded, we shall be called fools for having imagined it could be brought to use: if it should be turned to account, we shall be ridiculed for having doubted.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Correspondence with a friend, 1765
He warns that future generations may mock current ideas, especially if they fail or are misapplied, yet also ridicule those who doubt them.
In simple terms: Future may mock both failed ideas and skeptics.
Key Takeaway
Remain open to critique and evidence.
Themes
philosophy
history
skepticism
Mood
thoughtful
cautious
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- technological development
- policy making
Key Concepts
innovation
risk
humility
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance confidence and humility?
- When should you reconsider a belief?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can blind one to valid criticism.
![“René of Anjou [(1409-80)] painted a picture of his mistress's corpse as he found it eaten by worms on having it [her tomb] openedon his return from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. This [is] another instance of the strange mixture of religion and gallantry in those ages.” quote by Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/aba/horace-walpole-3357_age_ren-of-anjou-1409-80-painted-a-picture-o_33917.jpg)
