Whoever undertakes to set himself up as a judge of Truth and Knowledge is shipwrecked by the laughter of the gods.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Claiming absolute authority over truth invites ridicule.
- In plain terms
- Those who judge truth alone end up foolish.
- What can you take from it?
- Humility is needed when discussing truth.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who decides truth?
- Is claiming knowledge ever justified?
Another view
Some truths require firm judgment.
More from Edmund Burke
The cold neutrality of an impartial judge.
Permalink to quote #30 Nothing is so fatal to religion as indifference.
Permalink to quote #32 It is the function of a judge not to make but to declare the law, according to the golden mete-wand of the law and not by the crooked cord of discretion.
Permalink to quote #29
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