Certitude Quote by Robert Anton Wilson
“Certitude belongs exclusively to those who only look in one encyclopedia.”
About This Quote
Source Book: Cosmic Trigger, Robert Anton Wilson, 1977
Certainty arises when one limits knowledge to a single source, ignoring broader perspectives.
In simple terms: Certainty comes from narrow focus.
Key Takeaway
Seek multiple viewpoints.
Themes
certaintyertainty
knowledge
perspective
Mood
curious
skeptical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- research
- decision making
- learning
- media consumption
Key Concepts
epistemology
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- What sources do you rely on?
- How can you broaden your information base?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can blind you to truth.
![“[My wife] liked to collect old encyclopedias from second-hand bookstores, and at one point we had eight of them. When I wrote my first historical novel---back in 1980, before I was online---I used them often as a research tool. For instance, I learned that the Bastille was either 90 feet high or…” quote by Robert Anton Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/75d/robert-anton-wilson-1198_bastille_my-wife-liked-to-collect-old-encyclopedi_864543.jpg)
![“We [tend to] have more faith in what we imitate than in what we originate. We [often feel that we] cannot derive a sense of absolute certitude from anything which has its root in us. The most poignant sense of insecurity comes from standing alone; we are not alone when we imitate.” quote by Bruce Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f9a/bruce-lee-430_absolutes_we-tend-to-have-more-faith-in-what-we-im_269245.jpg)
