--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Proof! We don’t need proof! Tell the…" description: "\"“Proof! We don’t need proof! Tell the public a thing solemnly, and authoritatively, and repeat it sufficiently often, and you will never need to prove ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/william-walker-atkinson-25491_repetition_proof-we-don-t-need-proof-tell-the-publi_1091258.jpg" --- # Proof! We don’t need proof! Tell the public a thing… ![“Proof! We don’t need proof! Tell the public a thing solemnly, and authoritatively, and repeat it sufficiently often, and you will never need to prove anything!” Repetition, like Pretended Authority are two old frauds masquerading as Truth. When you once take their measure, you have disarmed them…” quote by William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/william-walker-atkinson-25491_repetition_proof-we-don-t-need-proof-tell-the-publi_1091258.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/william-walker-atkinson-25491_repetition_proof-we-don-t-need-proof-tell-the-publi_1091258.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb2/william-walker-atkinson-25491_repetition_proof-we-don-t-need-proof-tell-the-publi_1091258.jpg) > ““Proof! We don’t need proof! Tell the public a thing solemnly, and authoritatively, and repeat it sufficiently often, and you will never need to prove anything!” Repetition, like Pretended Authority are two old frauds masquerading as Truth. When you once take their measure, you have disarmed them so far as you are concerned. When you call for “Proof,” they take refuge in dignity and reiteration—that is their entire stock in trade. But Suggestion of Repetition has its value in imparting Truth. It is a poor rule that won’t work both ways.”” [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Repeating statements authoritatively can create false belief, but repetition also helps embed genuine truth; both can be misused. **In simple terms:** Repetition can both deceive and teach truth. Key Takeaway Use repetition wisely, verify facts. Themes truth authority communication Mood cautious analytical inquisitive Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - marketing - political speeches - education - media literacy Key Concepts cognitive bias propaganda Questions to Reflect On - How do you distinguish genuine truth from repeated falsehood? - When is repetition ethical? A Different Perspective Overreliance on repetition may suppress critical thinking. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Imparting Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imparting-truth-2823099/) [Pretended Authority](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pretended-authority-2823101/) [Proof Tell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/proof-tell-2823100/) [Prove Repetition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prove-repetition-2823098/) [Repetition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repetition/) ## Related quotes > [It is exactly in the repetition of the exercises that the education of the senses exists; not that the child shall know colors, forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/it-is-exactly-in-the-repetition-of-the-exercises-that-the-education/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [What I do is I get the sheet music and I put it out for myself and then I use a visual tuner to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-harvey/what-i-do-is-i-get-the-sheet-music-and-i-put-it-out-for-myself-and/) [Mandy Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-harvey/) > [My off-the-cuff remarks at the University of Virginia were with regard to global macro traders, who are on-call 24/7 and of whom there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tudor-jones/my-off-the-cuff-remarks-at-the-university-of-virginia-were-with/) [Paul Tudor Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tudor-jones/) > [Learning to play the guitar is a combination of mental and motor skill acquisition. And to develop motor skill, repetition is essential... Whenever musicians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-roberts/learning-to-play-the-guitar-is-a-combination-of-mental-and-motor/) [Howard Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-roberts/) > [There is no such thing as repetition. Only insistance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/there-is-no-such-thing-as-repetition-only-insistance/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [The debut show, “Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary,” is supposed to be about how artists reuse humble or unusual materials. There’s good work here,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/the-debut-show-second-lives-remixing-the-ordinary-is-supposed-to-be/) [Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/) > [“There is no shortcut for hard work that leads to effectiveness. You must stay disciplined because most of the work is behind the scenes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/there-is-no-shortcut-for-hard-work-that-leads-to-effectiveness-you/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [I mopped the floor with my hairThe reason I’m so interested in taking my body to those extreme places is that that’s a place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janine-antoni/i-mopped-the-floor-with-my-hairthe-reason-i-m-so-interested-in-taking/) [Janine Antoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janine-antoni/) > [Simple techniques for meditation can involve repetition of spiritually focused words, thoughts or ideas that help one feel at peace mentally and physically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-mccarthy/simple-techniques-for-meditation-can-involve-repetition-of/) [Tim McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-mccarthy/) > [The good word of the Lord with which we must nourish is the simple doctrine of the gospel. We need not fear either simplicity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/the-good-word-of-the-lord-with-which-we-must-nourish-is-the-simple/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [The news we hear, for the most part, is not news to our genius. It is the stalest repetition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-news-we-hear-for-the-most-part-is-not-news-to-our-genius-it-is/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [When we have the same thought again, the line of the original thought is deepened, causing what's called a memory trace. With each repetition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysa-terkeurst/when-we-have-the-same-thought-again-the-line-of-the-original-thought/) [Lysa TerKeurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysa-terkeurst/) > [I feel like every repetition, every game, every practice that I'm allowed to watch, I'm picking up some small piece of information, a nuance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-burke/i-feel-like-every-repetition-every-game-every-practice-that-i-m/) [Doris Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-burke/) > [Importunity is a condition of prayer. We are to press the matter, not with vain repetitions, but with urgent repetitions. We repeat, not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/importunity-is-a-condition-of-prayer-we-are-to-press-the-matter-not/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [Monotony and repetition are characteristic of many parts of life, but these do not become sources of conscious discomfort until novelty and entertainment are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-catherine-bateson/monotony-and-repetition-are-characteristic-of-many-parts-of-life-but/) [Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-catherine-bateson/) ## More by William Walker Atkinson > [Prana (life energy) colored by the tought of the sender may be projected to persons at a distance, who are willing to receive it,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/prana-life-energy-colored-by-the-tought-of-the-sender-may-be/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [Put forth the necessary concentrated effort and you will be wonderfully helped form sources unknown to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/put-forth-the-necessary-concentrated-effort-and-you-will-be/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [“That which is the Real Self of Man is the Divine Spark sent forth from the Sacred Flame.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/that-which-is-the-real-self-of-man-is-the-divine-spark-sent-forth/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [“in nothing else is he rich; in nothing else is he poor.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/in-nothing-else-is-he-rich-in-nothing-else-is-he-poor/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [The use of the Will as the projector of Mentative Currents is the real base of all Mental Magic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/the-use-of-the-will-as-the-projector-of-mentative-currents-is-the/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [Thought is a force - a manifestation of energy - having a magnet-like power of attraction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/thought-is-a-force-a-manifestation-of-energy-having-a-magnet-like/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [The presence of an active, energetic, successful man, or set of men, in a place, will permeate the place with positive vibrations that will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/the-presence-of-an-active-energetic-successful-man-or-set-of-men-in-a/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [Study yourself. Find your strong points and make them stronger as well as your weak ones and strengthen them. Study yourself carefully and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/study-yourself-find-your-strong-points-and-make-them-stronger-as-well/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [Imagination is the first step in creation whether in words or trifles. The mental pattern must always precede the material form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/imagination-is-the-first-step-in-creation-whether-in-words-or-trifles/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [If you are not satisfied with what is coming to you, start to work and change your mental attitude and mental states, and you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/if-you-are-not-satisfied-with-what-is-coming-to-you-start-to-work-and/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [A mental image gives you a framework upon which to work. It is like the drawing of the architect, or the map of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/a-mental-image-gives-you-a-framework-upon-which-to-work-it-is-like/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [We are sending out thoughts of greater or less intensity all the time, and we are reaping the results of such thoughts. Not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/we-are-sending-out-thoughts-of-greater-or-less-intensity-all-the-time/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [The best way to overcome undesirable or negative thoughts and feelings is to cultivate the positive ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/the-best-way-to-overcome-undesirable-or-negative-thoughts-and/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [Worry is the child of Fear -- if you kill out Fear, Worry will die for want of nourishment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/worry-is-the-child-of-fear-if-you-kill-out-fear-worry-will-die-for/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) > [The mind has been likened to a piece of paper that has been folded. Ever afterwards it has a tendency to fold in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-walker-atkinson/the-mind-has-been-likened-to-a-piece-of-paper-that-has-been-folded/) [William Walker Atkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) [Explore all 23 William Walker Atkinson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-walker-atkinson/) ## More Repetition quotes > [It is exactly in the repetition of the exercises that the education of the senses exists; not that the child shall know colors, forms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/it-is-exactly-in-the-repetition-of-the-exercises-that-the-education/) [Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/) > [Importunity is a condition of prayer. We are to press the matter, not with vain repetitions, but with urgent repetitions. We repeat, not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/importunity-is-a-condition-of-prayer-we-are-to-press-the-matter-not/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [I feel like every repetition, every game, every practice that I'm allowed to watch, I'm picking up some small piece of information, a nuance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-burke/i-feel-like-every-repetition-every-game-every-practice-that-i-m/) [Doris Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-burke/) > [When we have the same thought again, the line of the original thought is deepened, causing what's called a memory trace. With each repetition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysa-terkeurst/when-we-have-the-same-thought-again-the-line-of-the-original-thought/) [Lysa TerKeurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysa-terkeurst/) > [The news we hear, for the most part, is not news to our genius. It is the stalest repetition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-news-we-hear-for-the-most-part-is-not-news-to-our-genius-it-is/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [The good word of the Lord with which we must nourish is the simple doctrine of the gospel. We need not fear either simplicity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-b-eyring/the-good-word-of-the-lord-with-which-we-must-nourish-is-the-simple/) [Henry B. Eyring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-b-eyring/) > [Simple techniques for meditation can involve repetition of spiritually focused words, thoughts or ideas that help one feel at peace mentally and physically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-mccarthy/simple-techniques-for-meditation-can-involve-repetition-of/) [Tim McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-mccarthy/) > [I mopped the floor with my hairThe reason I’m so interested in taking my body to those extreme places is that that’s a place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janine-antoni/i-mopped-the-floor-with-my-hairthe-reason-i-m-so-interested-in-taking/) [Janine Antoni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janine-antoni/) > [“There is no shortcut for hard work that leads to effectiveness. You must stay disciplined because most of the work is behind the scenes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/there-is-no-shortcut-for-hard-work-that-leads-to-effectiveness-you/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The debut show, “Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary,” is supposed to be about how artists reuse humble or unusual materials. There’s good work here,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/the-debut-show-second-lives-remixing-the-ordinary-is-supposed-to-be/) [Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/) > [There is no such thing as repetition. Only insistance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gertrude-stein/there-is-no-such-thing-as-repetition-only-insistance/) [Gertrude Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gertrude-stein/) > [Learning to play the guitar is a combination of mental and motor skill acquisition. And to develop motor skill, repetition is essential... Whenever musicians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-roberts/learning-to-play-the-guitar-is-a-combination-of-mental-and-motor/) [Howard Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-roberts/) > [My off-the-cuff remarks at the University of Virginia were with regard to global macro traders, who are on-call 24/7 and of whom there are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tudor-jones/my-off-the-cuff-remarks-at-the-university-of-virginia-were-with/) [Paul Tudor Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tudor-jones/) > [What I do is I get the sheet music and I put it out for myself and then I use a visual tuner to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-harvey/what-i-do-is-i-get-the-sheet-music-and-i-put-it-out-for-myself-and/) [Mandy Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-harvey/) > [Monotony and repetition are characteristic of many parts of life, but these do not become sources of conscious discomfort until novelty and entertainment are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-catherine-bateson/monotony-and-repetition-are-characteristic-of-many-parts-of-life-but/) [Mary Catherine Bateson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-catherine-bateson/) [Browse all 742 Repetition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/repetition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Proof! We don’t need proof! Tell the public a thing solemnly, and authoritatively, and repeat it sufficiently often, and you will never need to prove anything!” Repetition, like Pretended Authority are two old frauds masquerading as Truth. When you once take their measure, you have disarmed them so far as you are concerned. When you call for “Proof,” they take refuge in dignity and reiteration—that is their entire stock in trade. But Suggestion of Repetition has its value in imparting Truth. 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