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About this quote

What does it mean?
Russell advises periodically questioning long‑held assumptions.
In plain terms
Put a question mark on what you take for granted.
What can you take from it?
Regular doubt keeps thinking fresh.

Where it applies

  • education
  • problem solving

Putting it to work

  • review core beliefs annually

Questions to consider

  • How often should we reassess beliefs?
  • What methods help healthy skepticism?

Another view

Too much doubt can lead to paralysis.

More from Bertrand Russell

  1. I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.

    Permalink to quote #199
  2. Religion is something left over from the infancy of our intelligence; it will fade away as we adopt reason and science as our guidelines.

    Permalink to quote #201
  3. Anything you're good at contributes to happiness.

    Permalink to quote #198

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