--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our duty is to believe that for which we…" description: "\"Our duty is to believe that for which we have sufficient evidence, and to suspend our judgment when we have not.\" — John Lubbock" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52f/john-lubbock-8094_believe_our-duty-is-to-believe-that-for-which-we_2437469.png" --- # Our duty is to believe that for which we have sufficient… ![“Our duty is to believe that for which we have sufficient evidence, and to suspend our judgment when we have not.” quote by John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52f/john-lubbock-8094_believe_our-duty-is-to-believe-that-for-which-we_2437469.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52f/john-lubbock-8094_believe_our-duty-is-to-believe-that-for-which-we_2437469.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52f/john-lubbock-8094_believe_our-duty-is-to-believe-that-for-which-we_2437469.png) > “Our duty is to believe that for which we have sufficient evidence, and to suspend our judgment when we have not.” [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Believe only with sufficient evidence; suspend judgment otherwise. **In simple terms:** Believe with evidence; suspend otherwise. Key Takeaway Seek proof before belief. Themes science skepticism logic Mood analytical skeptical Type academic practical When to use this quote - research - debate - policy making Key Concepts epistemology critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - How do you handle uncertain data? - When is it okay to act without full proof? A Different Perspective Evidence can be ambiguous. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe Sufficient](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-sufficient-358279/) [Duty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty/) [Duty Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/duty-believe-358280/) [Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence/) [Evidence Suspend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence-suspend-358277/) [Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgment/) [Responsibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/responsibility/) [Sufficient Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sufficient-evidence-231220/) [Suspend Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suspend-judgment-358278/) ## Related quotes > [You can be anything you want to be, if you only believe with sufficient conviction and act in accordance with your faith; for whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/you-can-be-anything-you-want-to-be-if-you-only-believe-with/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [While I believe that my lengthy career provides sufficient evidence for consideration of my nomination, I am convinced the efforts to obtain Executive Branch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-miers/while-i-believe-that-my-lengthy-career-provides-sufficient-evidence/) [Harriet Miers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-miers/) > [“With respect to the formation of erroneous beliefs, the implications of people’s difficulties in detecting covariation should be clear. By placing too much emphasis…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-gilovich/with-respect-to-the-formation-of-erroneous-beliefs-the-implications/) [Thomas Gilovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-gilovich/) > [Here before us was sufficient evidence to show that it really was an entrance to a tomb, and by the seals, to all outward…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-carter/here-before-us-was-sufficient-evidence-to-show-that-it-really-was-an/) [Howard Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-carter/) > [To be alive is sufficient evidence that we are needed in the world. Otherwise we wouldn't be here.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margery-wilson/to-be-alive-is-sufficient-evidence-that-we-are-needed-in-the-world/) [Margery Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margery-wilson/) > [God may still be in His Heaven, but there is more than sufficient evidence that all is not right with the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-edman/god-may-still-be-in-his-heaven-but-there-is-more-than-sufficient/) [Irwin Edman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-edman/) > [There was never sufficient evidence presented at my trial to support a finding of intent to kill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-henry-abbott/there-was-never-sufficient-evidence-presented-at-my-trial-to-support/) [Jack Henry Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-henry-abbott/) > [Power is not sufficient evidence of truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/power-is-not-sufficient-evidence-of-truth/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [ Their \[the Skeptics'\] way of speaking is: "I settle nothing. . . . I do not understand it. . . . Nothing seems true… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/their-the-skeptics-way-of-speaking-is-i-settle-nothing-i-do-not/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [If we suspend judgment and look to how we can make conscious choices to uplift the situation, we can be sure that we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/if-we-suspend-judgment-and-look-to-how-we-can-make-conscious-choices/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [I determine nothing; I do not comprehend things; I suspend judgment; I examine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-determine-nothing-i-do-not-comprehend-things-i-suspend-judgment-i/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [The ultimate cynicism is to suspend judgment so that you are not judged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marya-mannes/the-ultimate-cynicism-is-to-suspend-judgment-so-that-you-are-not/) [Marya Mannes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marya-mannes/) > [Most people suspend their judgment till somebody else has expressed his own and then they repeat it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-dimnet/most-people-suspend-their-judgment-till-somebody-else-has-expressed/) [Ernest Dimnet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-dimnet/) > [People suspend judgment in the presence of mystery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-genn/people-suspend-judgment-in-the-presence-of-mystery/) [Robert Genn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-genn/) > [It's my job to motivate the audience to believe. I have to get them to suspend their judgment in favor of involvement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-pollack/it-s-my-job-to-motivate-the-audience-to-believe-i-have-to-get-them-to/) [Sydney Pollack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-pollack/) ## More by John Lubbock > [Many of the greatest men have owed their success to industry rather than to cleverness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-of-the-greatest-men-have-owed-their-success-to-industry-rather/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Savages have often been likened to children, and the comparison is not only correct but also highly instructive. Many naturalists consider that the early…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/savages-have-often-been-likened-to-children-and-the-comparison-is-not/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [There can be no merit in believing something which you can neither explain nor understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/there-can-be-no-merit-in-believing-something-which-you-can-neither/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Many savage nations worship trees, and I really think my first feeling would be one of delight and interest rather than of surprise, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-savage-nations-worship-trees-and-i-really-think-my-first-feeling/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Many a blessing has been recognized too late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/many-a-blessing-has-been-recognized-too-late/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Art trains the mind through the eye, and the eye through the mind. As the sun colors flowers, so does art color life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/art-trains-the-mind-through-the-eye-and-the-eye-through-the-mind-as/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [We may sit in our library and yet be in all quarters of the earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/we-may-sit-in-our-library-and-yet-be-in-all-quarters-of-the-earth/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [“In truth, people can generally make time for what they choose to do; it is not really the time but the will that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/in-truth-people-can-generally-make-time-for-what-they-choose-to-do-it/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [To render ourselves insensible to pain we must forfeit also the possibilities of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/to-render-ourselves-insensible-to-pain-we-must-forfeit-also-the/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [The idle man does not know what it is to enjoy rest, for he has not earned it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/the-idle-man-does-not-know-what-it-is-to-enjoy-rest-for-he-has-not/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [“Our great mistake in education is, as it seems to me, the worship of book-learning–the confusion of instruction and education. We strain the memory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/our-great-mistake-in-education-is-as-it-seems-to-me-the-worship-of/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Be cautious, but not too cautious; do not be too much afraid of making a mistake; a man who never makes a mistake will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/be-cautious-but-not-too-cautious-do-not-be-too-much-afraid-of-making/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [This is a great way to become more conscious. Your intention and motives are fundamental to the results you will receive. Set high intentions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/this-is-a-great-way-to-become-more-conscious-your-intention-and/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Exercise of the muscles keeps the body in health, and exercise of the brain brings peace of mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/exercise-of-the-muscles-keeps-the-body-in-health-and-exercise-of-the/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) > [Though it is a great mistake to make friends of the wicked and foolish, it is unwise to make enemies of them, for they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/though-it-is-a-great-mistake-to-make-friends-of-the-wicked-and/) [John Lubbock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) [Explore all 84 John Lubbock quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) [Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our duty is to believe that for which we have sufficient evidence, and to suspend our judgment when we have not.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Lubbock" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/our-duty-is-to-believe-that-for-which-we-have-sufficient-evidence-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Believe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/our-duty-is-to-believe-that-for-which-we-have-sufficient-evidence-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52f/john-lubbock-8094_believe_our-duty-is-to-believe-that-for-which-we_2437469.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52f/john-lubbock-8094_believe_our-duty-is-to-believe-that-for-which-we_2437469.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/52f/john-lubbock-8094_believe_our-duty-is-to-believe-that-for-which-we_2437469.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our duty is to believe that for which we have sufficient evidence, and to suspend our judgment when we have…” — John Lubbock", "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": "John Lubbock", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lubbock/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Our duty is to believe that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/our-duty-is-to-believe-that-for-which-we-have-sufficient-evidence-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lubbock/our-duty-is-to-believe-that-for-which-we-have-sufficient-evidence-and/#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 } } ] } ```