---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The existence of relative truth does not…"
description: "\"“The existence of relative truth does not prove the non-existence of universal truth.”\" — Idries Shah"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/idries-shah-450_idries-shah_the-existence-of-relative-truth-does-not_607994.jpg"
---

#  The existence of relative truth does not prove the…

![“The existence of relative truth does not prove the non-existence of universal truth.” quote by Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/idries-shah-450_idries-shah_the-existence-of-relative-truth-does-not_607994.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/idries-shah-450_idries-shah_the-existence-of-relative-truth-does-not_607994.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1bf/idries-shah-450_idries-shah_the-existence-of-relative-truth-does-not_607994.jpg)

> ““The existence of relative truth does not prove the non-existence of universal truth.””

[Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/)

## About This Quote

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

The quote argues that acknowledging relative truths doesn’t eliminate the possibility of an absolute truth.

**In simple terms:** Relative truth doesn’t disprove universal truth.

Key Takeaway

Consider both perspectives.

Themes

philosophy epistemology truth logic dialogue

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

philosophical analytical

When to use this quote

- academic debate
- personal belief formation
- interfaith dialogue
- scientific theory development
- ethical decision making

Key Concepts

relativism absolutism critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance relative and universal truths?
- Can both coexist without contradiction?

A Different Perspective

It may oversimplify complex epistemic landscapes.

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[Existence Relative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence-relative-2509192/) [Existence Universal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence-universal-472147/) [Idries-shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idries-shah/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Logic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/logic/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Non existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/non-existence/) [Relative truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/relative-truth/) [Science](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/science/) [Sufis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufis/) [Sufism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufism/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Universal truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universal-truth/)

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## More by Idries Shah

> [“To be a Sufi is to detach from fixed ideas and from preconceptions; and not to try to avoid what is your lot.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/to-be-a-sufi-is-to-detach-from-fixed-ideas-and-from-preconceptions/)

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> [“He who sleeps on the Road will lose either his hat or his head.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/he-who-sleeps-on-the-road-will-lose-either-his-hat-or-his-head/)

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