--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Persuade me or prove to me that I am…" description: "\"Persuade me or prove to me that I am mistaken in thought or deed, and I will gladly change - for it is the truth I seek, and the truth never harmed any..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/260/marcus-aurelius-139_clinging_persuade-me-or-prove-to-me-that-i-am-mis_1554131.jpg" --- # Persuade me or prove to me that I am mistaken in thought… ![“Persuade me or prove to me that I am mistaken in thought or deed, and I will gladly change - for it is the truth I seek, and the truth never harmed anyone. Harm comes from persisting in error and clinging to ignorance.” quote by Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/260/marcus-aurelius-139_clinging_persuade-me-or-prove-to-me-that-i-am-mis_1554131.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/260/marcus-aurelius-139_clinging_persuade-me-or-prove-to-me-that-i-am-mis_1554131.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/260/marcus-aurelius-139_clinging_persuade-me-or-prove-to-me-that-i-am-mis_1554131.jpg) > “Persuade me or prove to me that I am mistaken in thought or deed, and I will gladly change - for it is the truth I seek, and the truth never harmed anyone. Harm comes from persisting in error and clinging to ignorance.” [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that being persuaded by truth and changing one's mind is virtuous, while clinging to ignorance causes harm. **In simple terms:** Change when shown truth; ignorance harms. Key Takeaway Seek truth and be willing to change. Themes truth humility self‑correction Mood reflective serious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - personal development - leadership training - conflict resolution - public policy Key Concepts Stoicism ethical reasoning Questions to Reflect On - What truths have you changed your mind about? - How do you handle resistance to change? A Different Perspective Changing deeply held beliefs can be socially costly. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) [Harm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/harm/) [Ignorance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ignorance/) [Prove to me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove-to-me/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [If anyone can refute me-show me I'm making a mistake or looking at things from the wrong perspective-I'l l gladly change. It's the truth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/if-anyone-can-refute-me-show-me-i-m-making-a-mistake-or-looking-at/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [If someone can prove me wrong and show me my mistake in any thought or action, I shall gladly change. I seek the truth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/if-someone-can-prove-me-wrong-and-show-me-my-mistake-in-any-thought/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“It’s the truth I’m after, and the truth never harmed anyone. What harms us is to persist in self-deceit and ignorance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/it-s-the-truth-i-m-after-and-the-truth-never-harmed-anyone-what-harms/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and and should do is to seek truth and to serve it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-maximilian-kolbe/no-one-in-the-world-can-change-truth-what-we-can-do-and-and-should-do/) [St. Maximilian Kolbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-maximilian-kolbe/) > [No one in the world can change Truth. What we can do and should do is to seek truth and to serve it when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maximilian-kolbe/no-one-in-the-world-can-change-truth-what-we-can-do-and-should-do-is/) [Maximilian Kolbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maximilian-kolbe/) > [If we have the truth, it cannot be harmed by investigation. If we have not the truth, it ought to be harmed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-reuben-clark/if-we-have-the-truth-it-cannot-be-harmed-by-investigation-if-we-have/) [J. Reuben Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-reuben-clark/) > [If someone is able to show me that what I think or do is not right, I will happily change, for I seek the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/if-someone-is-able-to-show-me-that-what-i-think-or-do-is-not-right-i/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [If someone is able to show me that what I think or do is not right, I will happily change, for I seek the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/if-someone-is-able-to-show-me-that-what-i-think-or-do-is-not-right-i-2/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“If anyone can give me good reason to think that I am going astray in my thoughts or my actions, I will gladly change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/if-anyone-can-give-me-good-reason-to-think-that-i-am-going-astray-in/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [I seek the truth...it is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance that does harm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/i-seek-the-truth-it-is-only-persistence-in-self-delusion-and/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [With that being said, you are a Democrat. You are saying, "Let's cut and run." And I have to tell you, I have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-beck/with-that-being-said-you-are-a-democrat-you-are-saying-let-s-cut-and/) [Glenn Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-beck/) > [Where is the angry machine of all of us? Why is God such a blurred magician? Why are you begging for your life if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-hannah/where-is-the-angry-machine-of-all-of-us-why-is-god-such-a-blurred/) [Barry Hannah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-hannah/) > [Prove to me that you're no fool Walk across my swimming pool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-rice/prove-to-me-that-you-re-no-fool-walk-across-my-swimming-pool/) [Tim Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-rice/) > [The next morning when you wake up and think what the hell happened...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-next-morning-when-you-wake-up-and-think-what-the-hell-happened/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Do you see that I cherish you beyond question, that you have nothing to prove to me? You are making your journey to secure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-bantock/do-you-see-that-i-cherish-you-beyond-question-that-you-have-nothing/) [Nick Bantock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-bantock/) ## More by Marcus Aurelius > [A man should be upright, not kept upright.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/a-man-should-be-upright-not-kept-upright/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Everything is mere opinion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/everything-is-mere-opinion/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [If any man has done wrong, the harm is his own. But perhaps he has not done wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/if-any-man-has-done-wrong-the-harm-is-his-own-but-perhaps-he-has-not/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Pray look upon the plants and birds, the ants, spiders, and bees, and you will see them all exerting their nature, and busy in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/pray-look-upon-the-plants-and-birds-the-ants-spiders-and-bees-and-you/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“We should remark the grace and fascination that there is even in the incidentals of Nature's processes.. When a loaf of bread,. for instance,.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/we-should-remark-the-grace-and-fascination-that-there-is-even-in-the/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [My true Self is free. I cannot be contained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/my-true-self-is-free-i-cannot-be-contained/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/the-best-revenge-is-to-be-unlike-him-who-performed-the-injury/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Nothing befalls any man which he is not fitted to endure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/nothing-befalls-any-man-which-he-is-not-fitted-to-endure/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Adorn thyself with simplicity and with indifference towards the things which lie between virtue and vice. Love mankind. Follow God. The poet says that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/adorn-thyself-with-simplicity-and-with-indifference-towards-the/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Let it be your constant method to look into the design of people's actions, and see what they would be at, as often as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/let-it-be-your-constant-method-to-look-into-the-design-of-people-s/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“Our life is a warfare, and a mere pilgrimage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/our-life-is-a-warfare-and-a-mere-pilgrimage/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“If therefore it be a thing external that causes thy grief, know, that it is not that properly that doth cause it, but thine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/if-therefore-it-be-a-thing-external-that-causes-thy-grief-know-that/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [Frightened of change? But what can exist without it? What's closer to nature's heart? Can you take a hot bath and leave the firewood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/frightened-of-change-but-what-can-exist-without-it-what-s-closer-to/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [We are too much accustomed to attribute to a single cause that which is the product of several, and the majority of our controversies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/we-are-too-much-accustomed-to-attribute-to-a-single-cause-that-which/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) > [“At dawn, when you have trouble getting out of bed, tell yourself, "I have to go to work - as a human being. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-aurelius/at-dawn-when-you-have-trouble-getting-out-of-bed-tell-yourself-i-have/) [Marcus Aurelius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) [Explore all 1,138 Marcus Aurelius quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-aurelius/) ## More Clinging quotes > [My mind shrank from the menace sweeping down on us, as children's do from belief in death and misfortune, vainly clinging to the fancy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-pankhurst/my-mind-shrank-from-the-menace-sweeping-down-on-us-as-children-s-do/) [Sylvia Pankhurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-pankhurst/) > [I hate to see prudence clinging to the green suckers of youth; 'tis like ivy round a sapling, and spoils the growth of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/i-hate-to-see-prudence-clinging-to-the-green-suckers-of-youth-tis/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [I don't think people ever were free of fear of death, but clinging to life and being so unprepared for it is a modern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-butler/i-don-t-think-people-ever-were-free-of-fear-of-death-but-clinging-to/) [Katy Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-butler/) > [Blaming mother is just a negative way of clinging to her still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-friday/blaming-mother-is-just-a-negative-way-of-clinging-to-her-still/) [Nancy Friday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-friday/) > [Jobs are a centuries-old concept created during the Industrial Revolution. Despite the reality that we're now deep in the Information Age, many people are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/jobs-are-a-centuries-old-concept-created-during-the-industrial/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [I'm so afraid to love you, but more afraid to loose Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose Once there was a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mclachlan/i-m-so-afraid-to-love-you-but-more-afraid-to-loose-clinging-to-a-past/) [Sarah McLachlan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mclachlan/) > [If conservatives don't want to be seen as bitter people who cling to their guns and religion and anti-immigrant sentiments, they should stop being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/if-conservatives-don-t-want-to-be-seen-as-bitter-people-who-cling-to/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [Sam, clinging to Frodo's arm, collapsed on a step in the black darkness. 'Poor old Bill!' he said in a choking voice. 'Poor old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sam-clinging-to-frodo-s-arm-collapsed-on-a-step-in-the-black-darkness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [And one fine day the goddess of the wind kisses the foot of man, that mistreated, scorned foot, and from that kiss the soccer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eduardo-galeano/and-one-fine-day-the-goddess-of-the-wind-kisses-the-foot-of-man-that/) [Eduardo Galeano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eduardo-galeano/) > [I am tired of clinging. Though I cannot see it with my eyes, I trust that the current knows where it is going. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-bach/i-am-tired-of-clinging-though-i-cannot-see-it-with-my-eyes-i-trust/) [Richard Bach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-bach/) > [Some people have a very strange idea that material success does not coincide harmoniously with self-realization, which is absurd. The aversion to material success,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/some-people-have-a-very-strange-idea-that-material-success-does-not/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [How mutable are our feelings, and how strange is that clinging love we have of life even in the excess of misery!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/how-mutable-are-our-feelings-and-how-strange-is-that-clinging-love-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If we cling to belief in God, we cannot likewise have faith, since faith is not clinging but letting go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-we-cling-to-belief-in-god-we-cannot-likewise-have-faith-since/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I am not saying that you should renounce things, that you should escape from your home and renounce the marketplace. 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