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Cold Quote by William Godwin

“We covet experience; we have a secret desire to learn, not from cold prohibition, but from trial, whether those things, which are not without a semblance of good, are really so ill as they are described to us.” quote by William Godwin
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“We covet experience; we have a secret desire to learn, not from cold prohibition, but from trial, whether those things, which are not without a semblance of good, are really so ill as they are described to us.”

William Godwin

About This Quote

Source Book: An Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, 1793

The desire to learn comes from curiosity and experimentation, not from imposed restrictions; we must test ideas to discover their true value.

In simple terms: Learning is driven by curiosity and testing, not bans.

Key Takeaway

Embrace trial to uncover truth.

Themes

curiosity learning experimentation

Mood

inquisitive reflective

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • education reform
  • scientific research
  • personal growth
  • policy analysis

Key Concepts

philosophy epistemology

Questions to Reflect On

  • What assumptions do you accept without testing?
  • How can safe experimentation be encouraged?
A Different Perspective

Trial may be costly or risky without guidance.

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