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About this quote

What does it mean?
Lack of credibility or good behavior does not automatically prove someone is wrong about a specific issue.
In plain terms
Bad behavior doesn't mean they were wrong about this.
What can you take from it?
Evaluate specific claims on their merits, not just the source's history.

Where it applies

  • conflict resolution
  • fact-checking
  • policy decisions

Putting it to work

  • separating character from claim
  • focusing on evidence
  • avoiding ad hominem

Questions to consider

  • Can a liar tell the truth?
  • How do we judge claims independently?

Another view

Credibility often matters for assessing the likelihood of truth.

More from Hans Blix

  1. : there are people in this administration who say they don't care if the UN sinks under the East river, and other crude things:

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  2. But in the Middle Ages people were convinced there were witches. They looked for them and they certainly found them.

    Permalink to quote #6
  3. I have my detractors in Washington. There are bastards who spread things around, of course, who planted nasty things in the media.

    Permalink to quote #3

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