--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Reason may not always tell us what to…" description: "\"Reason may not always tell us what to believe, but it can help us on what we shouldn't believe.\" — Walter Kaufmann" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/walter-kaufmann-14133_believe_reason-may-not-always-tell-us-what-to-be_2796290.png" --- # Reason may not always tell us what to believe, but it can… ![“Reason may not always tell us what to believe, but it can help us on what we shouldn't believe.” quote by Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/walter-kaufmann-14133_believe_reason-may-not-always-tell-us-what-to-be_2796290.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/walter-kaufmann-14133_believe_reason-may-not-always-tell-us-what-to-be_2796290.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/walter-kaufmann-14133_believe_reason-may-not-always-tell-us-what-to-be_2796290.png) > “Reason may not always tell us what to believe, but it can help us on what we shouldn't believe.” [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reason guides belief, but also shows what not to believe. **In simple terms:** Reason helps avoid false beliefs. Key Takeaway Use reason to filter beliefs. Themes philosophy critical thinking belief systems logic skepticism Mood thought‑provoking analytical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - academic study - personal decision making - media consumption - political discourse Key Concepts epistemology rationalism truth seeking Questions to Reflect On - How do emotions affect belief formation? - When should intuition override reason? A Different Perspective Reason alone may not reveal truth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Intelligence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intelligence/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) ## Related quotes > [“You shouldn't believe what you don't understand. You should understand what you believe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonie-swann/you-shouldn-t-believe-what-you-don-t-understand-you-should-understand/) [Leonie Swann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonie-swann/) > [“Hmm. I really hope I don’t sound condescending—that means talking down to someone—but, you know, you really shouldn’t believe everything you think.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-wright/hmm-i-really-hope-i-don-t-sound-condescending-that-means-talking-down/) [Suzanne Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-wright/) > [“Always there whom we believe shouldn't be and never are there whom we believe should be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-ngel-s-ez-guti-rrez-marino/always-there-whom-we-believe-shouldn-t-be-and-never-are-there-whom-we/) [Miguel Ángel Sáez Gutiérrez «Marino»](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-ngel-s-ez-guti-rrez-marino/) > [I shouldn't believe anything I say, if I were you-and that includes what I just told you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-fforde/i-shouldn-t-believe-anything-i-say-if-i-were-you-and-that-includes/) [Jasper Fforde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-fforde/) > [You shouldn't believe everything. What you see isn't always right. Is what you think truly right? Please, think about it again. A heart that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/takehito-koyasu/you-shouldn-t-believe-everything-what-you-see-isn-t-always-right-is/) Takehito Koyasu > [You shouldn't believe everything you hear you're young, not stupid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-brooks/you-shouldn-t-believe-everything-you-hear-you-re-young-not-stupid/) [Terry Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-brooks/) > [“If you believe we shouldn't have done it, then you also believe that, in the light of history, the human race shouldn't have existed.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-mulisch/if-you-believe-we-shouldn-t-have-done-it-then-you-also-believe-that/) [Harry Mulisch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-mulisch/) > [“If they believe it in the Bible, I don't see why they shouldn't believe it from me.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/if-they-believe-it-in-the-bible-i-don-t-see-why-they-shouldn-t/) [Gabriel García Márquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/) > [“Tell me something about yourself.” “I’d rather save the small talk.” “There’s no need to be rude, child, and believe me, I’m asking for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-caine/tell-me-something-about-yourself-i-d-rather-save-the-small-talk-there/) [Rachel Caine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-caine/) > [“I'll give you a reason," I tell her, my voice raw. "I promise. If you give me the chance, I will give you a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-cole/i-ll-give-you-a-reason-i-tell-her-my-voice-raw-i-promise-if-you-give/) [Courtney Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-cole/) > [To transcend and be yourself... I have no reason to tell you, and others, something that is not of interest to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-gabriel/to-transcend-and-be-yourself-i-have-no-reason-to-tell-you-and-others/) [Juan Gabriel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-gabriel/) > [You want to have pressure and tell stories that you find a real reason to tell, aside from any business reason. If business is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-lin/you-want-to-have-pressure-and-tell-stories-that-you-find-a-real/) [Justin Lin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-lin/) > [“If you feel like you have to have them for some reason, tell me and we'll take them out together. Promise?" "If you promise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-archer/if-you-feel-like-you-have-to-have-them-for-some-reason-tell-me-and-we/) [Jennifer Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-archer/) > [You can say or write anything about me you like. Just don't, for any reason, ever tell the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katharine-hepburn/you-can-say-or-write-anything-about-me-you-like-just-don-t-for-any/) [Katharine Hepburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katharine-hepburn/) > [“What?” He wasn’t giving up? “Your temper might scare off a weaker man, but not me. Because deep down, I know you want me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lindsay-cross/what-he-wasn-t-giving-up-your-temper-might-scare-off-a-weaker-man-but/) [Lindsay Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lindsay-cross/) ## More by Walter Kaufmann > [Life ceases to be so oppressive: we are free to give our own lives meaning and purpose, free to redeem our suffering by making…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/life-ceases-to-be-so-oppressive-we-are-free-to-give-our-own-lives/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [Thirdly, even if we assume that the world is governed by purpose, we need only add that this purpose - or, if there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/thirdly-even-if-we-assume-that-the-world-is-governed-by-purpose-we/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [Mundus vult decipi: the world wants to be deceived. The truth is too complex and frightening; the taste for the truth is an acquired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/mundus-vult-decipi-the-world-wants-to-be-deceived-the-truth-is-too/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [It is widely assumed, contrary to fact, that theism necessarily involves the two assumptions which cannot be squared with the existence of so much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/it-is-widely-assumed-contrary-to-fact-that-theism-necessarily/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [The refusal to belong to any school of thought, the repudiation of the adequacy of any body of beliefs whatever, and especially of systems,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/the-refusal-to-belong-to-any-school-of-thought-the-repudiation-of-the/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [“One need not believe in Pallas Athena, the virgin goddess, to be overwhelmed by the Parthenon. Similarly, a man who rejects all dogmas, all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/one-need-not-believe-in-pallas-athena-the-virgin-goddess-to-be/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [In all three cases, and for most human beings, the problem of suffering poses no difficult problem at all: one has a world picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/in-all-three-cases-and-for-most-human-beings-the-problem-of-suffering/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [The only theism worthy of our respect believes in God not because of the way the world is made but in spite of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/the-only-theism-worthy-of-our-respect-believes-in-god-not-because-of/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [The deepest difference between religions is not that between polytheism and monotheism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/the-deepest-difference-between-religions-is-not-that-between/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [Job's forthright indictment of the injustice of this world is surely right. The ways of the world are weird and much more unpredictable than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/job-s-forthright-indictment-of-the-injustice-of-this-world-is-surely/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [“Renouncing false beliefs will not usher in the millennium. Few things about the strategy of contemporary apologists are more repellent than their frequent recourse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/renouncing-false-beliefs-will-not-usher-in-the-millennium-few-things/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [“Not all deceptions are palatable. Untruths are too easy to come by, too quickly exploded, too cheap and ephemeral to give lasting comfort. Mundus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/not-all-deceptions-are-palatable-untruths-are-too-easy-to-come-by-too/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [Let people who do not know what to do with themselves in this life, but fritter away their time reading magazines and watching television,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/let-people-who-do-not-know-what-to-do-with-themselves-in-this-life/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [“The Golden Rule is intolerable; if millions did to others whatever they wished others to do to them, few would be safe from molestation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/the-golden-rule-is-intolerable-if-millions-did-to-others-whatever/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) > [To try to fashion something from suffering, to relish our triumphs, and to endure defeats without resentment: all that is compatible with the faith…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/to-try-to-fashion-something-from-suffering-to-relish-our-triumphs-and/) [Walter Kaufmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) [Explore all 47 Walter Kaufmann quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. You have to be hyper, hyper aware of what's going on around you. You have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julianne-moore/i-actually-think-acting-is-a-form-of-self-hypnosis-you-have-to-be/) [Julianne Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julianne-moore/) > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The truth seems to be that propaganda on its own cannot force its way into unwilling minds; neither can it inculcate something wholly new;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/the-truth-seems-to-be-that-propaganda-on-its-own-cannot-force-its-way/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Reason may not always tell us what to believe, but it can help us on what we shouldn't believe.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Walter Kaufmann" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/reason-may-not-always-tell-us-what-to-believe-but-it-can-help-us-on/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Believe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/reason-may-not-always-tell-us-what-to-believe-but-it-can-help-us-on/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/walter-kaufmann-14133_believe_reason-may-not-always-tell-us-what-to-be_2796290.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/walter-kaufmann-14133_believe_reason-may-not-always-tell-us-what-to-be_2796290.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a63/walter-kaufmann-14133_believe_reason-may-not-always-tell-us-what-to-be_2796290.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Reason may not always tell us what to believe, but it can help us on what we shouldn't believe.” — Walter Kaufmann", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Walter Kaufmann", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-kaufmann/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Reason may not always tell us...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/reason-may-not-always-tell-us-what-to-believe-but-it-can-help-us-on/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-kaufmann/reason-may-not-always-tell-us-what-to-believe-but-it-can-help-us-on/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```