--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Skepticism? Yes, but a saint is a skeptic…" description: "\"Skepticism? Yes, but a saint is a skeptic once in twenty-four hours.\" — Ralph Waldo Emerson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_doubt_skepticism-yes-but-a-saint-is-a-skeptic_2616760.png" --- # Skepticism? Yes, but a saint is a skeptic once in… ![“Skepticism? Yes, but a saint is a skeptic once in twenty-four hours.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_doubt_skepticism-yes-but-a-saint-is-a-skeptic_2616760.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_doubt_skepticism-yes-but-a-saint-is-a-skeptic_2616760.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_doubt_skepticism-yes-but-a-saint-is-a-skeptic_2616760.png) > “Skepticism? Yes, but a saint is a skeptic once in twenty-four hours.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even a saint can doubt; skepticism is a natural, periodic check on belief. **In simple terms:** Even saints doubt occasionally. Key Takeaway Allow healthy doubt in spiritual practice. Themes faith skepticism humility Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - religious practice - personal reflection - creative work Key Concepts philosophical inquiry spiritual growth Questions to Reflect On - When does doubt become harmful? - How can doubt foster growth? A Different Perspective Excessive doubt can erode confidence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Four](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/four/) [Hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hours/) [Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saint/) [Saint Skeptic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saint-skeptic-2074414/) [Self realization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-realization/) [Skeptic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skeptic/) [Skeptic Hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skeptic-hours-2074415/) [Skepticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skepticism/) [Skepticism Yes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/skepticism-yes-2074416/) [Twenties](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/twenties/) ## Related quotes > [A skeptic as to all ideas, including especially my own, I have never suffered a pang when the ideas of some other imbecile prevailed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/a-skeptic-as-to-all-ideas-including-especially-my-own-i-have-never/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [ \[This approach\] displays the characteristic philosophical lust to vanquish the skeptic by arguing him out of his skepticism, without appeal to moral and political… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-jamieson/this-approach-displays-the-characteristic-philosophical-lust-to/) [Dale Jamieson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-jamieson/) > [“Don’t believe the skeptics. Rather, be skeptical of their skepticism.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/don-t-believe-the-skeptics-rather-be-skeptical-of-their-skepticism/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [Science is the search for truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linus-pauling/science-is-the-search-for-truth/) [Linus Pauling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linus-pauling/) > [“Skeptics always want miracles such as stepping down from the Cross, but never the greater miracle of forgiveness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/skeptics-always-want-miracles-such-as-stepping-down-from-the-cross/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [To deny, to believe, and to doubt well, are to a man what the race is to a horse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blaise-pascal/to-deny-to-believe-and-to-doubt-well-are-to-a-man-what-the-race-is-to/) [Blaise Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blaise-pascal/) > [It is assumed that the skeptic has no bias; whereas he has a very obvious bias in favour of skepticism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-assumed-that-the-skeptic-has-no-bias-whereas-he-has-a-very/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In principle, skeptics are neither closed-minded nor cynical. We are curious but cautious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-shermer/in-principle-skeptics-are-neither-closed-minded-nor-cynical-we-are/) [Michael Shermer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-shermer/) > [If you are only skeptical, then no new ideas make it through to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/if-you-are-only-skeptical-then-no-new-ideas-make-it-through-to-you/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [Advances are Made by Answering Questions. Discoveries are Made by Questioning Answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-haisch/advances-are-made-by-answering-questions-discoveries-are-made-by-2/) [Bernard Haisch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-haisch/) > [Latter-day scepticism is fond of calling itself progressive; but scepticism is really reactionary. Scepticism goes back; it attempts to unsettle what has already been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/latter-day-scepticism-is-fond-of-calling-itself-progressive-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ “\[n regard to Jesus believing himself inspired\] This belief carried no more personal imputation than the belief of Socrates that he was under the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/n-regard-to-jesus-believing-himself-inspired-this-belief-carried-no/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [If you are going to go to a medium, go to a medium as a skeptic... and this is a medium telling you this!…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-henry/if-you-are-going-to-go-to-a-medium-go-to-a-medium-as-a-skeptic-and/) [Tyler Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-henry/) > [“Skeptics are always marked by their total lack of skepticism towards whatever position they are defending.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-madison/skeptics-are-always-marked-by-their-total-lack-of-skepticism-towards/) [Steve Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-madison/) > [When a man finds a conclusion agreeable, he accepts it without argument, but when he finds it disagreeable, he will bring against it all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thucydides/when-a-man-finds-a-conclusion-agreeable-he-accepts-it-without/) [Thucydides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thucydides/) ## More by Ralph Waldo Emerson > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-then-creative-reading-as-well-as-creative-writing-when-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Life only avails, not the having lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-only-avails-not-the-having-lived/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-child-reminds-us-that-playtime-is-an-essential-part-of-our-daily/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-therefore-i-had-nothing-better-to-do-than-to-think/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Explore all 4,802 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More Doubt quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I don't doubt that straight white men have identity issues and identity complexes and struggle with defining themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-don-t-doubt-that-straight-white-men-have-identity-issues-and/) [Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/) > [“Where there is doubt (shanka), there is misery. The moment one begins to doubt the knowledge that, 'I am Chandubhai,' misery arises. Once one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-is-doubt-shanka-there-is-misery-the-moment-one-begins-to/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [How could you feel worthless when God has honoured you by creating you and choosing you to be with Him, in this life and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/how-could-you-feel-worthless-when-god-has-honoured-you-by-creating/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Two powerful, little words I've learned to use when facing challenges, fears, and doubts— so what? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/two-powerful-little-words-i-ve-learned-to-use-when-facing-challenges/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/for-diplomacy-to-be-effective-words-must-be-credible-and-no-one-can/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Vision motivates, sustains and dispels doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-young/vision-motivates-sustains-and-dispels-doubt/) [Thomas Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-young/) > [One may not doubt that, somehow Good Shall come of Water and of Mud; And sure, the reverent eye must see A purpose in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-brooke/one-may-not-doubt-that-somehow-good-shall-come-of-water-and-of-mud/) [Rupert Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-brooke/) > [Let smiles overshadow sadness. Let faith make you believe. Let confidence wash away doubts. Let love complete your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/let-smiles-overshadow-sadness-let-faith-make-you-believe-let/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [When in doubt, suggest that a subcommittee be appointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapman/when-in-doubt-suggest-that-a-subcommittee-be-appointed/) [Harry Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-chapman/) > [“Those who contemplate never escape the doubt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henning-mankell/those-who-contemplate-never-escape-the-doubt/) [Henning Mankell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henning-mankell/) [Browse all 9,582 Doubt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Skepticism? Yes, but a saint is a skeptic once in twenty-four hours.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/skepticism-yes-but-a-saint-is-a-skeptic-once-in-twenty-four-hours/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Doubt" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/skepticism-yes-but-a-saint-is-a-skeptic-once-in-twenty-four-hours/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_doubt_skepticism-yes-but-a-saint-is-a-skeptic_2616760.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_doubt_skepticism-yes-but-a-saint-is-a-skeptic_2616760.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ee2/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_doubt_skepticism-yes-but-a-saint-is-a-skeptic_2616760.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Skepticism? Yes, but a saint is a skeptic once in twenty-four hours.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ralph Waldo Emerson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Skepticism? Yes, but a saint is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/skepticism-yes-but-a-saint-is-a-skeptic-once-in-twenty-four-hours/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/skepticism-yes-but-a-saint-is-a-skeptic-once-in-twenty-four-hours/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```