Falsehood Quote by Willard Van Orman Quine
“Yields falsehood when preceded by its quotation”
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Essay: Logic and Language, 1953
A statement becomes false if it is preceded by its own quotation, highlighting paradoxical self-reference.
In simple terms: Quoting a claim can undermine its truth.
Key Takeaway
Beware of self-referential statements that invalidate themselves.
Themes
logic
paradox
language
Mood
critical
intellectual
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- academic writing
- debate
- legal testimony
- media reporting
Key Concepts
self-reference
falsehood
quotation
Questions to Reflect On
- Can you think of examples where quoting a claim strengthens it?
- When does self-reference become a rhetorical tool?
A Different Perspective
The principle may not apply to all contexts, especially informal speech.
![“Some have said that the thesis [of indeterminacy] is a consequence of my behaviorism. Some have said that it is a reductio ad absurdum of my behaviorism. I disagree with this second point, but I agree with the first. I hold further that the behaviorism approach is mandatory. In psychology one may…” quote by Willard Van Orman Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/3e0/willard-van-orman-quine-10137_ads_some-have-said-that-the-thesis-of-indete_315688.jpg)
![“A mind conscious of right laughs at the falsehoods of rumour. [Lat., Conscia mens recti famae mendacia risit.]” quote by Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/95c/ovid-276_conscious_a-mind-conscious-of-right-laughs-at-the_12185.jpg)
