---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To be able to discern that what is true…"
description: "\"To be able to discern that what is true is true, and that what is false is false,--this is the mark and character of intelligence.\" — Ralph Waldo Emerson"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c66/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_able_to-be-able-to-discern-that-what-is-true_224303.png"
---

#  To be able to discern that what is true is true, and that…

![“To be able to discern that what is true is true, and that what is false is false,--this is the mark and character of intelligence.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c66/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_able_to-be-able-to-discern-that-what-is-true_224303.png)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c66/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_able_to-be-able-to-discern-that-what-is-true_224303.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c66/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_able_to-be-able-to-discern-that-what-is-true_224303.png)

> “To be able to discern that what is true is true, and that what is false is false,--this is the mark and character of intelligence.”

[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.

Intelligence is shown by correctly identifying truth and falsehood.

**In simple terms:** Intelligence means seeing truth and falsehood.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate discernment.

Themes

truth intelligence critical thinking

Mood

thoughtful inquisitive

Type

philosophical educational

When to use this quote

- education
- media literacy
- scientific research
- legal analysis

Key Concepts

epistemology logic cognitive bias

Questions to Reflect On

- What methods improve your ability to discern truth?
- How do biases affect judgment?

A Different Perspective

Truth can be subjective in complex issues.

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[Able](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able/) [Able Discern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/able-discern-646284/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Character Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character-intelligence-1921416/) [Discern True](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discern-true-523865/) [Intellect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellect/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mark/)

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