Devotee Quote by John Grier Hibben
“A philosopher ... is not fairly judged by his eccentricities, nor by the frailties to which he is liable; still less should his philosophy as a whole fall into ill-repute because of those among its devotees who have stumbled into wells, or who aimlessly pass their lives in whetting their faculties and then neglecting to use them.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Essays and Addresses by John Grier Hibben, 1912
Judging a philosopher by his flaws or the mistakes of followers misrepresents his overall work.
In simple terms: Don't judge a thinker by eccentricities or followers' errors.
Key Takeaway
Assess ideas, not peripheral flaws.
Themes
philosophy
fairness
evaluation
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
critical
reflective
When to use this quote
- academic discourse
- public debates
- teaching philosophy
Key Concepts
critical thinking
intellectual humility
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we separate a philosopher's core ideas from peripheral issues?
- What criteria ensure fair evaluation of intellectual work?
A Different Perspective
Misinterpretations can arise from selective focus.
