--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A man must be both stupid and…" description: "\"A man must be both stupid and uncharitable who believes there is no virtue or truth but on his own side.\" — Joseph Addison" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4b/joseph-addison-377_stupid_a-man-must-be-both-stupid-and-uncharitab_1429062.png" --- # A man must be both stupid and uncharitable who believes… ![“A man must be both stupid and uncharitable who believes there is no virtue or truth but on his own side.” quote by Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4b/joseph-addison-377_stupid_a-man-must-be-both-stupid-and-uncharitab_1429062.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4b/joseph-addison-377_stupid_a-man-must-be-both-stupid-and-uncharitab_1429062.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e4b/joseph-addison-377_stupid_a-man-must-be-both-stupid-and-uncharitab_1429062.png) > “A man must be both stupid and uncharitable who believes there is no virtue or truth but on his own side.” [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A person who denies universal virtue and truth, seeing only personal bias, is both foolish and unkind. **In simple terms:** Denial of universal truth shows foolishness and cruelty. Key Takeaway Seek broader perspectives and empathy. Themes philosophy ethics humility critical thinking Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - debates - education - conflict resolution - leadership Key Concepts Moral relativism cognitive bias social harmony Questions to Reflect On - How can you recognize your own biases? - What steps foster empathy toward opposing views? A Different Perspective People may cling to bias despite evidence, limiting change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/) ## Related quotes > [A man must be excessively stupid, as well as uncharitable, who believes that there is no virtue but on his own side, and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/a-man-must-be-excessively-stupid-as-well-as-uncharitable-who-believes/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Was man made stupid to see his own stupidity? Is God by definition indifferent, beyond us all? 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Tastes differ so widely, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-more/to-tell-you-the-truth-though-i-still-haven-t-made-up-my-mind-whether/) [Thomas More](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-more/) > [If I murmur in the least at affliction, if I am in any way uncharitable, if I revenge my own case, if I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-edwards/if-i-murmur-in-the-least-at-affliction-if-i-am-in-any-way/) [Jonathan Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-edwards/) > [ Heap coals of fire on the head of your enemy Mthis most uncharitable advice is found in a book \[the Bible\], of which charity… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-walpole/heap-coals-of-fire-on-the-head-of-your-enemy-mthis-most-uncharitable/) [Horace Walpole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace-walpole/) > [How shall we expect charity towards others, when we are uncharitable to ourselves?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/how-shall-we-expect-charity-towards-others-when-we-are-uncharitable/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [“In fact, because the unself-aware—which includes basically everybody—are impervious to uncharitable perceptions of their underlying motives, all these insights you have into people and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-shriver/in-fact-because-the-unself-aware-which-includes-basically-everybody/) [Lionel Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-shriver/) > [“I am giving up saying anything uncharitable to anyone and about anyone. 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