Belief Quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr
“The mark of a civilized man is his willingness to re-examine his most cherished beliefs.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Mark of a Civilized Man" (1905) in "The Collected Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr."
Civilized individuals continuously question and revise their deepest convictions.
In simple terms: Re‑examine core beliefs regularly.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate intellectual humility.
Themes
critical thinking
open‑mindedness
ethics
progress
education
Mood
thoughtful
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- academic discourse
- personal development
- policy debates
Key Concepts
philosophy
cognitive bias
self‑reflection
Questions to Reflect On
- Which belief might you need to reassess?
- How does questioning beliefs affect relationships?
A Different Perspective
Constant self‑examination may cause indecision or social friction.
