--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is as certain as it is strange that…" description: "\"It is as certain as it is strange that truth and error come from one and the same source. Thus it is that we are often not at liberty to do violence to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7aa/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_certain_it-is-as-certain-as-it-is-strange-that-t_1719162.jpg" --- # It is as certain as it is strange that truth and error… ![“It is as certain as it is strange that truth and error come from one and the same source. Thus it is that we are often not at liberty to do violence to error, because at the same time we do violence to truth.” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7aa/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_certain_it-is-as-certain-as-it-is-strange-that-t_1719162.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7aa/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_certain_it-is-as-certain-as-it-is-strange-that-t_1719162.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7aa/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_certain_it-is-as-certain-as-it-is-strange-that-t_1719162.jpg) > “It is as certain as it is strange that truth and error come from one and the same source. Thus it is that we are often not at liberty to do violence to error, because at the same time we do violence to truth.” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Truth and error share a common origin, making it hard to attack error without harming truth. **In simple terms:** Truth and error come from the same source. Key Takeaway Recognize the link between truth and error. Themes philosophy truth error duality Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - debate - critical thinking - ethical decisions - academic research Key Concepts metaphysics epistemology Questions to Reflect On - How do you differentiate error from truth? - Can you address error without harming truth? A Different Perspective Attacking error may unintentionally damage truth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Freedom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/freedom/) [Liberty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberty/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) ## Related quotes > [The popular prophets have underestimated how strange the truth can be. 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Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-o-brown/) > [There is a soul of truth in error; there is a soul of good in evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-is-a-soul-of-truth-in-error-there-is-a-soul-of-good-in-evil/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Error is a supposition that pleasure and pain, that intelligence, substance, life, are existent in matter. Error is neither Mind nor one of Mind's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-baker-eddy/error-is-a-supposition-that-pleasure-and-pain-that-intelligence/) [Mary Baker Eddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-baker-eddy/) > [We are cast as combatants in the war between truth and error. There is no middle ground. We must stand up for truth, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallin-h-oaks/we-are-cast-as-combatants-in-the-war-between-truth-and-error-there-is/) [Dallin H. 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Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/all-lyrical-work-must-as-a-whole-be-perfectly-intelligible-but-in/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/it-is-easier-to-perceive-error-than-to-find-truth-for-the-former-lies/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no patriotic art and no patriotic science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/there-is-no-patriotic-art-and-no-patriotic-science/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The connoisseur of art must be able to appreciate what is simply beautiful, but the common run of people is satisfied with ornament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-connoisseur-of-art-must-be-able-to-appreciate-what-is-simply/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Nothing is worse than active ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-is-worse-than-active-ignorance/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Let us not dream that reason can ever be popular. 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