--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Proceeding further, to inquire whether…" description: "\"Proceeding further, to inquire whether the facts related by the Four Evangelists are proved by competent and satisfactory evidence, we are led, first, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/simon-greenleaf-23208_burden_proceeding-further-to-inquire-whether-th_2996377.jpg" --- # Proceeding further, to inquire whether the facts related… ![“Proceeding further, to inquire whether the facts related by the Four Evangelists are proved by competent and satisfactory evidence, we are led, first, to consider on which side lies the burden of establishing the credibility of the witnesses.” quote by Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/simon-greenleaf-23208_burden_proceeding-further-to-inquire-whether-th_2996377.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/simon-greenleaf-23208_burden_proceeding-further-to-inquire-whether-th_2996377.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d00/simon-greenleaf-23208_burden_proceeding-further-to-inquire-whether-th_2996377.jpg) > “Proceeding further, to inquire whether the facts related by the Four Evangelists are proved by competent and satisfactory evidence, we are led, first, to consider on which side lies the burden of establishing the credibility of the witnesses.” [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Evaluating the Evangelists’ accounts requires assessing who bears the burden of proof for witness credibility. **In simple terms:** Determining credibility depends on who must prove it. Key Takeaway Identify and test the source of claims. Themes law epistemology religious texts critical thinking Mood inquisitive analytical skeptical Type philosophical theological When to use this quote - theological study - legal analysis - academic debate - faith education - media reporting Key Concepts burden of proof evidence standards witness reliability Questions to Reflect On - Who should bear proof in faith claims? - Can modern standards apply to ancient texts? A Different Perspective The quote assumes a uniform standard of evidence across contexts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Burden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/burden/) [Competent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/competent/) [Consider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consider/) [Credibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credibility/) [Credibility Witnesses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/credibility-witnesses-4529882/) [Establishing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establishing/) [Establishing Credibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/establishing-credibility-4735950/) [Evangelists Proved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evangelists-proved-4735951/) [Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evidence/) [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [First](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first/) [Four](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/four/) [Further](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/further/) [Inquire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inquire/) [Led](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/led/) [Lies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lies/) [Proved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proved/) [Related](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/related/) [Satisfactory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfactory/) [Satisfactory Evidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/satisfactory-evidence-3811857/) [Side](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/side/) [Whether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/whether/) [Which](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/which/) [Witnesses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/witnesses/) ## Related quotes > [By competent evidence, is meant such as the nature of the thing to be proved requires; and by satisfactory evidence, is meant that amount…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/by-competent-evidence-is-meant-such-as-the-nature-of-the-thing-to-be/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [“It is a considerable point in all good legislation to determine exactly the credibility of witnesses and the proofs of a crime. Every reasonable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesare-beccaria/it-is-a-considerable-point-in-all-good-legislation-to-determine/) [Cesare Beccaria](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesare-beccaria/) > [“Writing a nonfiction book should primarily be about establishing credibility and authority in a specific domain.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hassan-osman/writing-a-nonfiction-book-should-primarily-be-about-establishing/) [Hassan Osman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hassan-osman/) > [Being right doesn’t mean you win. 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Oaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallin-h-oaks/) > [I believe employment regulations for women, whereby the prospective employer is not able to inquire about the interviewee's status regarding children, childcare, or indeed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-sugar/i-believe-employment-regulations-for-women-whereby-the-prospective/) [Alan Sugar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-sugar/) > [“It is better to inquire of God than seek your own ways?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/it-is-better-to-inquire-of-god-than-seek-your-own-ways/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [“This is a pickup line that’s sure to not work: I want to inquire if you’re in choir or not, because you’re singing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/this-is-a-pickup-line-that-s-sure-to-not-work-i-want-to-inquire-if/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Try to put well in practice what you already know. In so doing, you will, in good time, discover the hidden things you now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/remy-de-gourmont/try-to-put-well-in-practice-what-you-already-know-in-so-doing-you/) [Remy de Gourmont](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/remy-de-gourmont/) > [If we’re born to inquire, then why must it be taught?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-berger/if-we-re-born-to-inquire-then-why-must-it-be-taught/) [Warren Berger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-berger/) > [In America, they do not inquire of a stranger, "What is he?" but, "What can he do?"](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/in-america-they-do-not-inquire-of-a-stranger-what-is-he-but-what-can/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [Applicants for wisdom do what I have done: inquire within](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heraclitus/applicants-for-wisdom-do-what-i-have-done-inquire-within/) [Heraclitus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heraclitus/) > [I pretend not to teach, but to inquire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/i-pretend-not-to-teach-but-to-inquire/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) ## More by Simon Greenleaf > [If a close examination of the evidences of Christianity may be expected of one class of men more than another, it would seem incumbent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/if-a-close-examination-of-the-evidences-of-christianity-may-be/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [It should be pursued as in the presence of God, and under the solemn sanctions created by a lively sense of his omniscience, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/it-should-be-pursued-as-in-the-presence-of-god-and-under-the-solemn/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [Our religion, then, rests on the credit due to these witnesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/our-religion-then-rests-on-the-credit-due-to-these-witnesses/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [In examining the evidence of the Christian religion, it is essential to the discovery of truth that we bring to the investigation a mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/in-examining-the-evidence-of-the-christian-religion-it-is-essential/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [The proof that God has revealed himself to man by special and express communications, and that Christianity constitutes that revelation, is no part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/the-proof-that-god-has-revealed-himself-to-man-by-special-and-express/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [In the ordinary affairs of life we do not require nor expect demonstrative evidence, because it is inconsistent with the nature of matters of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/in-the-ordinary-affairs-of-life-we-do-not-require-nor-expect/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/in-trials-of-fact-by-oral-testimony-the-proper-inquiry-is-not-whether/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [There should be a readiness, on our part, to investigate with candor to follow the truth wherever it may lead us, and to submit,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/there-should-be-a-readiness-on-our-part-to-investigate-with-candor-to/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [The religion of Jesus Christ aims at nothing less than the utter overthrow of all other systems of religion in the world; denouncing them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/the-religion-of-jesus-christ-aims-at-nothing-less-than-the-utter/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [Either the men of Galilee were men of superlative wisdom, and extensive knowledge and experience, and of deeper skill in the arts of deception…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/either-the-men-of-galilee-were-men-of-superlative-wisdom-and/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [The foundation of our belief is a basis of fact - the fact of the birth, ministry, miracles, death, resurrection by the Evangelists as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/the-foundation-of-our-belief-is-a-basis-of-fact-the-fact-of-the-birth/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [By competent evidence, is meant such as the nature of the thing to be proved requires; and by satisfactory evidence, is meant that amount…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-greenleaf/by-competent-evidence-is-meant-such-as-the-nature-of-the-thing-to-be/) [Simon Greenleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-greenleaf/) > [These are no ordinary claims; 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