--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Nothing hurts a new truth more than an…" description: "\"Nothing hurts a new truth more than an old error\" — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/776/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_error_nothing-hurts-a-new-truth-more-than-an-o_763152.jpg" --- # Nothing hurts a new truth more than an old error ![“Nothing hurts a new truth more than an old error” quote by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/776/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_error_nothing-hurts-a-new-truth-more-than-an-o_763152.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/776/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_error_nothing-hurts-a-new-truth-more-than-an-o_763152.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/776/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_error_nothing-hurts-a-new-truth-more-than-an-o_763152.jpg) > “Nothing hurts a new truth more than an old error” [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. Old misconceptions cause pain when confronted with fresh insight. **In simple terms:** Old errors hurt new truths. Key Takeaway Challenge assumptions early. Themes learning truth growth Mood reflective inquisitive Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - personal development - debate - science Key Concepts cognitive dissonance paradigm shift Questions to Reflect On - What old belief blocks your progress? - How can you ease the transition? A Different Perspective New truths can be resisted emotionally. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Error](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/error/) [Errors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/errors/) [Hurts New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hurts-new-1340022/) [New Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-truth-536972/) [Old Error](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-error-1868310/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-old-1106342/) ## Related quotes > [A new truth is a truth, an old error is an error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/a-new-truth-is-a-truth-an-old-error-is-an-error/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Nothing is more damaging to the truth than an old error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-is-more-damaging-to-the-truth-than-an-old-error/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Custom, though never so ancient, without truth, is but an old error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cyprian/custom-though-never-so-ancient-without-truth-is-but-an-old-error/) [Cyprian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cyprian/) > [“In philosophy all truth is old and only error is original.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-durant/in-philosophy-all-truth-is-old-and-only-error-is-original/) [Will Durant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-durant/) > [New truth is old heresy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-j-lawson/new-truth-is-old-heresy/) [Steven J Lawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-j-lawson/) > [I cannot agree with those who say that they have 'new truth' to teach. The two words seem to me to contradict each other;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/i-cannot-agree-with-those-who-say-that-they-have-new-truth-to-teach/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [“That’s the magic of revisions – every cut is necessary, and every cut hurts, but something new always grows.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-barnhill/that-s-the-magic-of-revisions-every-cut-is-necessary-and-every-cut/) [Kelly Barnhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-barnhill/) > [Health is when it hurts in a new place every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/faina-ranevskaya/health-is-when-it-hurts-in-a-new-place-every-day/) [Faina Ranevskaya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/faina-ranevskaya/) > [“Knowledge is an old error remembering its youth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-picabia/knowledge-is-an-old-error-remembering-its-youth/) [Francis Picabia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-picabia/) > [I'm plotting revolution against this lie that the majority has a monopoly of the truth. What are these truths that always bring the majority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henrik-ibsen/i-m-plotting-revolution-against-this-lie-that-the-majority-has-a/) [Henrik Ibsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henrik-ibsen/) > [Truth only seems old fashioned nowadays because we've grown so accustomed to deceit and manipulation. But Truth is eternal, so it can never be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-walsh/truth-only-seems-old-fashioned-nowadays-because-we-ve-grown-so/) [Matt Walsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-walsh/) > [Truth - is as old as God-.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-dickinson/truth-is-as-old-as-god/) [Emily Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-dickinson/) > [“The Life is Poem, we write when we are Young, sing along all through Life, and we reap the truth when we are Old.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-t-v-rao-md/the-life-is-poem-we-write-when-we-are-young-sing-along-all-through/) [Dr.T.V.Rao MD](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-t-v-rao-md/) > [What sort of truths are they that the majority usually supports? They are truths that are of such advanced age that they are beginning…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/what-sort-of-truths-are-they-that-the-majority-usually-supports-they/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Truth is error burned up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-o-brown/truth-is-error-burned-up/) [Norman O. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-o-brown/) ## More by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. 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. Passions, emotions, may be made popular; but reason remains ever the property of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/let-us-not-dream-that-reason-can-ever-be-popular-passions-emotions/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Our foibles are really what make us lovable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/our-foibles-are-really-what-make-us-lovable/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/instruction-does-much-but-encouragement-everything/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Giving is the business of the rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/giving-is-the-business-of-the-rich/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/just-begin-and-the-mind-grows-heated-continue-and-the-task-will-be/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I look upon all four Gospels as thoroughly genuine, for there shines forth from them the reflected splendor of a sublimity proceeding from Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-look-upon-all-four-gospels-as-thoroughly-genuine-for-there-shines/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Whatever we may say against collections, which present authors in a disjointed form, they nevertheless bring about many excellent results. We are not always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/whatever-we-may-say-against-collections-which-present-authors-in-a/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) [Explore all 2,052 Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## More Error quotes > [Truth is error burned up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-o-brown/truth-is-error-burned-up/) [Norman O. Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-o-brown/) > [“Between an Error and a Lie, there are Worlds – an Error is an unintended Mistake, a Lie is an intentional Audacity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sino-melo/between-an-error-and-a-lie-there-are-worlds-an-error-is-an-unintended/) [Sino Melo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sino-melo/) > [This idea that once you get into politics... you are now signed up for lifelong duty being in elective office, makes a fundamental error…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/this-idea-that-once-you-get-into-politics-you-are-now-signed-up-for/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [“Error, failure, and being wrong are central to our development. We just aren’t using them as much as we should…yet.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alastair-arnott/error-failure-and-being-wrong-are-central-to-our-development-we-just/) [Alastair Arnott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alastair-arnott/) > [Carve and polish it the way you like, error cannot be changed into a precious stone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ace-kid/carve-and-polish-it-the-way-you-like-error-cannot-be-changed-into-a/) [Ace Kid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ace-kid/) > [“error,” and it is the best way to seek out a great result that fulfills your client’s business need.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sherwin/error-and-it-is-the-best-way-to-seek-out-a-great-result-that-fulfills/) [David Sherwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sherwin/) > [It's a base hit on the error by Roberts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-coleman/it-s-a-base-hit-on-the-error-by-roberts/) [Jerry Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-coleman/) > [If we didn't have genetic mutations, we wouldn't have us. You need error to open the door to the adjacent possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-johnson/if-we-didn-t-have-genetic-mutations-we-wouldn-t-have-us-you-need/) [Steven Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-johnson/) > [Error is discipline through which we advance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ellery-channing/error-is-discipline-through-which-we-advance/) [William Ellery Channing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ellery-channing/) > [“Never give up your right to be wrong, and be sure to give others that right too.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-fargo/never-give-up-your-right-to-be-wrong-and-be-sure-to-give-others-that/) [Tim Fargo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-fargo/) > [Narrative drives most of economics. Everything seems to be part of a story, and how that story is told often leads to critical error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/narrative-drives-most-of-economics-everything-seems-to-be-part-of-a/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [After working with many nutritionists, reading books, and practicing trial and error on my own body, I have finally found a way to control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-somers/after-working-with-many-nutritionists-reading-books-and-practicing/) [Suzanne Somers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-somers/) > [“Stop blaming other people for your mistakes. Until you are ready to admit that you are infallible, you are vulnerable for failure to whip.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/stop-blaming-other-people-for-your-mistakes-until-you-are-ready-to/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“Believe truth! Shun error!-these, we see, are two materially different laws; and by choosing between them we may end by coloring differently our whole…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-james/believe-truth-shun-error-these-we-see-are-two-materially-different/) [William James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-james/) > [“In short, if youth is not quite right in its opinions, there is a strong probability that age is not much more so. Undying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/in-short-if-youth-is-not-quite-right-in-its-opinions-there-is-a/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) [Browse all 289 Error quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/error/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Nothing hurts a new truth more than an old error", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-hurts-a-new-truth-more-than-an-old-error/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Error" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-hurts-a-new-truth-more-than-an-old-error/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/776/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_error_nothing-hurts-a-new-truth-more-than-an-o_763152.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/776/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_error_nothing-hurts-a-new-truth-more-than-an-o_763152.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/776/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_error_nothing-hurts-a-new-truth-more-than-an-o_763152.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Nothing hurts a new truth more than an old error” — Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Nothing hurts a new truth more...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-hurts-a-new-truth-more-than-an-old-error/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-hurts-a-new-truth-more-than-an-old-error/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```