Believe Quote by Jacques-Benigne Bossuet
“The worst derangement of the spirit is to believe things because we want them to be so, not because we have seen them for what they are.”
About This Quote
Source Sermon: The Nature of Faith, 1652, theological discourse
Warns against wishful thinking; truth must be based on evidence not desire
In simple terms: Believing without proof leads to delusion
Key Takeaway
Seek evidence, not wishful belief
Themes
faith
reason
truth
Mood
cautionary
thought‑provoking
Type
ethical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- scientific research
- personal decisions
- policy making
Key Concepts
epistemology
psychology
bias
Questions to Reflect On
- What beliefs do you hold without evidence?
- How can you test desires against reality?
A Different Perspective
Human emotions often override rational assessment
