--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we have not the strength or the…" description: "\"When we have not the strength or the courage to grasp a new truth, we persuade ourselves that it is not a truth at all.\" — John Lancaster Spalding" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/john-lancaster-spalding-3115_courage_when-we-have-not-the-strength-or-the-cou_1580140.png" --- # When we have not the strength or the courage to grasp a… ![“When we have not the strength or the courage to grasp a new truth, we persuade ourselves that it is not a truth at all.” quote by John Lancaster Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/john-lancaster-spalding-3115_courage_when-we-have-not-the-strength-or-the-cou_1580140.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/john-lancaster-spalding-3115_courage_when-we-have-not-the-strength-or-the-cou_1580140.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef5/john-lancaster-spalding-3115_courage_when-we-have-not-the-strength-or-the-cou_1580140.png) > “When we have not the strength or the courage to grasp a new truth, we persuade ourselves that it is not a truth at all.” [John Lancaster Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lancaster-spalding/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Avoiding new truths stems from fear; recognizing them requires courage and honesty. **In simple terms:** Fear blocks acceptance of new truths. Key Takeaway Cultivate courage to accept truth. Themes courage truth self‑deception Mood serious contemplative Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal crises - scientific discovery - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts philosophy theology Questions to Reflect On - What truth are you avoiding? - How can you summon courage to face it? A Different Perspective Denial can protect ego but hinders growth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [New Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-truth-536972/) [Persuade Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persuade-truth-4072201/) [Strength Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength-courage/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Persuade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-persuade-4273281/) ## Related quotes > [“But it appears to me that for our patient truth is what he can persuade others to believe: yet at the same time he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-o-brian/but-it-appears-to-me-that-for-our-patient-truth-is-what-he-can/) [Patrick O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-o-brian/) > [If one really believes that the metaphysic one adopts has much to commend it, then one should obviously try to persuade others of its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-assiter/if-one-really-believes-that-the-metaphysic-one-adopts-has-much-to/) [Alison Assiter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-assiter/) > [“She would make a man of me. 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