Absolutes Quote by Michael Faraday
“Occasionally and frequently the exercise of the judgment ought to end in absolute reservation. It may be very distasteful, and great fatigue, to suspend a conclusion; but as we are not infallible, so we ought to be cautious; we shall eventually find our advantage, for the man who rests in his position is not so far from right as he who, proceeding in a wrong direction, is ever increasing his distance.”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Scientific Correspondence, 1845
Judgment should often be reserved; caution prevents error, unlike stubborn certainty.
In simple terms: Reserve judgment to avoid error.
Key Takeaway
Embrace cautious humility.
Themes
judgment
caution
error
humility
Mood
reflective
instructive
Type
philosophical
practical
When to use this quote
- decision making
- leadership
- research
- personal growth
Key Concepts
critical thinking
epistemic humility
Questions to Reflect On
- When is reservation harmful?
- How to balance caution and action?
A Different Perspective
Over‑caution may stall progress.
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