Absolute certainty Quote by John Stuart Mill
“All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: On Liberty, 1859
Suppressing discussion assumes the speaker is infallible, which is unjustified.
In simple terms: Silencing others wrongly assumes they are always right.
Key Takeaway
Encourage open dialogue to challenge assumed perfection.
Themes
free speech
critical thinking
democracy
Mood
analytical
serious
Type
philosophical
political
When to use this quote
- classroom debates
- political forums
- online comment sections
- team meetings
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it appropriate to limit speech?
- How do we balance free expression with harm prevention?
A Different Perspective
Silence can sometimes protect vulnerable groups.
![“[For people] to refuse a hearing to an opinion, because they are sure that it is false, is to assume that their certainty is the same thing as absolute certainty. All silencing of discussion is an assumption of infallibility.” quote by John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c53/john-stuart-mill-477_doubt_for-people-to-refuse-a-hearing-to-an-opi_63929.jpg)
![“We do know, with absolute certainty, that [Saddam] is using his procurement system to acquire the equipment he needs in order to enrich uranium to build a nuclear weapon.” quote by Dick Cheney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cb4/dick-cheney-1810_absolute-certainty_we-do-know-with-absolute-certainty-that_363969.jpg)
