--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The first precept was never to accept a…" description: "\"The first precept was never to accept a thing as true until I knew it as such without a single doubt.\" — Rene Descartes" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/ren-descartes-1376_doubt_the-first-precept-was-never-to-accept-a_2599840.png" --- # The first precept was never to accept a thing as true… ![“The first precept was never to accept a thing as true until I knew it as such without a single doubt.” quote by Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/ren-descartes-1376_doubt_the-first-precept-was-never-to-accept-a_2599840.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/ren-descartes-1376_doubt_the-first-precept-was-never-to-accept-a_2599840.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/ren-descartes-1376_doubt_the-first-precept-was-never-to-accept-a_2599840.png) > “The first precept was never to accept a thing as true until I knew it as such without a single doubt.” [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Only accept a proposition as true when it is free of any doubt after personal verification. **In simple terms:** Believe only what you can prove beyond doubt. Key Takeaway Question everything before accepting. Themes skepticism philosophy critical thinking Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical reflective When to use this quote - scientific research - personal decision making - legal evidence - medical diagnosis Key Concepts Cartesian doubt epistemology rationalism Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance healthy skepticism with practical decision making? - When is it acceptable to act on incomplete certainty? A Different Perspective Doubt can hinder timely action when overapplied. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Knew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knew/) [Precept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precept/) [Precept Accept](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precept-accept-1933818/) [Single Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/single-doubt-627502/) [True Knew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/true-knew-1933819/) ## Related quotes > [God, despite his casual silence, still exists. Of that I havent a single doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-williams-jr/god-despite-his-casual-silence-still-exists-of-that-i-havent-a-single/) [Don Williams Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-williams-jr/) > [God, despite his casual silence, still exists. Of that I haven't a single doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/god-despite-his-casual-silence-still-exists-of-that-i-haven-t-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“In a middle of a war a single doubt about what you are fighting for could mean death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-de-guzman/in-a-middle-of-a-war-a-single-doubt-about-what-you-are-fighting-for/) [Kenneth de Guzman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-de-guzman/) > [“Where is there virtue in this world that is of any practical good whose vital force is not to be found in example rather…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-hooker-dewey/where-is-there-virtue-in-this-world-that-is-of-any-practical-good/) [Edward Hooker Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-hooker-dewey/) > [My conclusion about Mr. Trump's unsuitability for office is based on his disregard for the precept of treating others with respect, an idea that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-collins/my-conclusion-about-mr-trump-s-unsuitability-for-office-is-based-on/) [Susan Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-collins/) > [In science, the best precept is to alter and exchange our ideas as fast as science moves ahead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/claude-bernard/in-science-the-best-precept-is-to-alter-and-exchange-our-ideas-as/) [Claude Bernard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/claude-bernard/) > [“MR. BROWNE'S SEPTEMBER PRECEPT: WHEN GIVEN THE CHOICE BETWEEN BEING RIGHT OR BEING KIND, CHOOSE KIND.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-j-palacio-2/mr-browne-s-september-precept-when-given-the-choice-between-being/) [R. J. Palacio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-j-palacio-2/) > [The most famous Obama precept is, 'No drama.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-pfeiffer/the-most-famous-obama-precept-is-no-drama/) [Dan Pfeiffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-pfeiffer/) > [“Step by step we shall get to see how truly this promise-precept”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-murray/step-by-step-we-shall-get-to-see-how-truly-this-promise-precept/) [Andrew Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-murray/) > [In almost everything, experience is more valuable than precept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quintilian/in-almost-everything-experience-is-more-valuable-than-precept/) [Quintilian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quintilian/) > [There is no moral precept that does not have something inconvenient about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-diderot/there-is-no-moral-precept-that-does-not-have-something-inconvenient/) [Denis Diderot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-diderot/) > [“En No Gyōja, taught us an important precept: “If physical pain brings confusion in your heart, you are on the way to full liberation”.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ry-jun-shionuma/en-no-gy-ja-taught-us-an-important-precept-if-physical-pain-brings/) [Ryōjun Shionuma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ry-jun-shionuma/) > [“I would like to ofer some exercises that can help us use the Five Precepts to cultivate and strengthen mindfulness. It is best to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/i-would-like-to-ofer-some-exercises-that-can-help-us-use-the-five/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [The central activity of leadership is teaching - first by example, second by precept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-russell-ballard/the-central-activity-of-leadership-is-teaching-first-by-example/) [M. Russell Ballard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-russell-ballard/) > [Example is more forcible than precept. People look at my six days in the week to see what I mean on the seventh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cecil/example-is-more-forcible-than-precept-people-look-at-my-six-days-in/) [Robert Cecil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cecil/) ## More by Rene Descartes > [“My third maxim was to endeavour always to conquer myself rather than fortune, and change my desires rather than the order of the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/my-third-maxim-was-to-endeavour-always-to-conquer-myself-rather-than/) [René Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the self-same well from which your laughter rises was often-times filled with your tears.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/your-joy-is-your-sorrow-unmasked-and-the-self-same-well-from-which/) [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [So blind is the curiosity by which mortals are possessed, that they often conduct their minds along unexplored routes, having no reason to hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/so-blind-is-the-curiosity-by-which-mortals-are-possessed-that-they/) [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [“For to be possessed of a vigorous mind is not enough; the prime requisite is rightly to apply it. The greatest minds, as they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/for-to-be-possessed-of-a-vigorous-mind-is-not-enough-the-prime/) [René Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [“It is useful to know something of the manners of different nations, that we may be enabled to form a more correct judgment regarding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/it-is-useful-to-know-something-of-the-manners-of-different-nations/) [René Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [A state is better governed which has few laws, and those laws strictly observed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/a-state-is-better-governed-which-has-few-laws-and-those-laws-strictly/) [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [ \[About Pierre de Fermat\] It cannot be denied that he has had many exceptional ideas, and that he is a highly intelligent man. For… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/about-pierre-de-fermat-it-cannot-be-denied-that-he-has-had-many/) [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [Science is practical philosophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/science-is-practical-philosophy/) [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [ “And what more am I? I look for aid to the imagination. \[But how mistakenly!\] I am not that assemblage of limbs we call… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/and-what-more-am-i-i-look-for-aid-to-the-imagination-but-how/) [René Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [“And, in fine, of false sciences I thought I knew the worth sufficiently to escape being deceived by the professions of an alchemist, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/and-in-fine-of-false-sciences-i-thought-i-knew-the-worth-sufficiently/) [René Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of it than he already has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/nothing-is-more-fairly-distributed-than-common-sense-no-one-thinks-he/) [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [If I go for the alternative which is false, then obviously I shall be in error; if I take the other side, then it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/if-i-go-for-the-alternative-which-is-false-then-obviously-i-shall-be/) [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [Everything is self-evident.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/everything-is-self-evident/) [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [Neither the true nor the false roots are always real; sometimes they are imaginary; that is, while we can always imagine as many roots…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/neither-the-true-nor-the-false-roots-are-always-real-sometimes-they/) [Rene Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [It is only intelligence that is divided equally between people because everybody thinks he/she is enough wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/it-is-only-intelligence-that-is-divided-equally-between-people/) [René Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) [Explore all 232 Rene Descartes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) ## 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": "The first precept was never to accept a thing as true until I knew it as such without a single doubt.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rene Descartes" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/the-first-precept-was-never-to-accept-a-thing-as-true-until-i-knew-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Doubt" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/the-first-precept-was-never-to-accept-a-thing-as-true-until-i-knew-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/ren-descartes-1376_doubt_the-first-precept-was-never-to-accept-a_2599840.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/ren-descartes-1376_doubt_the-first-precept-was-never-to-accept-a_2599840.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ecb/ren-descartes-1376_doubt_the-first-precept-was-never-to-accept-a_2599840.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The first precept was never to accept a thing as true until I knew it as such without a single doubt.” — Rene Descartes", "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": "Rene Descartes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The first precept was never to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/the-first-precept-was-never-to-accept-a-thing-as-true-until-i-knew-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/the-first-precept-was-never-to-accept-a-thing-as-true-until-i-knew-it/#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 } } ] } ```