Agnostic Quote by Thomas Huxley
“In matters of the intellect, do not pretend that conclusions are certain which are not demonstrated or demonstrable. That I take to be the agnostic faith, which if a man keep whole and undefiled, he shall not be ashamed to look the universe in the face, whatever the future may have in store for him.”
About This Quote
The passage advocates intellectual humility, urging avoidance of claiming certainty without evidence, and describing agnosticism as a safeguard against shame when confronting the unknown.
In simple terms: Embrace uncertainty and avoid unfounded certainty.
Key Takeaway
Adopt a cautious, evidence‑based mindset.
Themes
science
philosophy
humility
Mood
thoughtful
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- research
- education
- public discourse
- personal belief systems
Key Concepts
agnosticism
critical thinking
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance skepticism with confidence?
- When is it appropriate to act despite uncertainty?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on doubt can hinder decisive action.
![“Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this [step by step, from humans to apes to monkeys to lemurs] - leading us insensibly from the crown and summit of the animal creation down to creatures, from which there is but a step, as it seems, to the…” quote by Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f0b/thomas-huxley-1183_animal_perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us_3051.jpg)
