Certainty Quote by Tom Stoppard
“From principles is derived probability, but truth or certainty is obtained only from facts.”
About This Quote
Source Play: "The Invention of Love", 1997
Ideas originate from principles, but certainty and truth arise only when those ideas are grounded in empirical evidence.
In simple terms: Truth needs facts, not just theory.
Key Takeaway
Seek evidence to validate your beliefs.
Themes
philosophy
epistemology
science
logic
truth
Mood
inquisitive
critical
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- research projects
- policy making
- academic debate
Key Concepts
empiricism
deductive reasoning
knowledge formation
Questions to Reflect On
- What role do principles play in shaping hypotheses?
- How can we ensure facts are reliable?
A Different Perspective
Facts can be limited or biased.
![“[I]f in other sciences we should arrive at certainty without doubt and truth without error, it behooves us to place the foundations of knowledge in mathematics, in so far as disposed through it we are able to reach certainty in other sciences and truth by the exclusion of error.” quote by Roger Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d13/roger-bacon-15067_able_i-f-in-other-sciences-we-should-arrive-a_24209.jpg)