Fact Quote by Simon Greenleaf
“In trials of fact, by oral testimony, the proper inquiry is not whether is it possible that the testimony may be false, but whether there is sufficient probability that it is true.”
About This Quote
Source Legal Treatise: Treatise on the Law of Evidence, 1845
Evaluate testimony by its likelihood of truth, not just possibility of falsehood.
In simple terms: Judge evidence by probability of truth.
Key Takeaway
Assess credibility through probable truth.
Themes
law
evidence
probability
Mood
analytical
skeptical
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtroom
- academic research
- journalism
Key Concepts
epistemology
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance probability with context?
- What safeguards ensure reliable testimony?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on probability can ignore crucial context.