The shortest and surest way of arriving at real knowledge is to unlearn the lessons we have been taught, to mount the first principles, and take nobody's word about them.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- True knowledge comes from discarding taught ideas, returning to first principles, and not trusting anyone's word.
- In plain terms
- Learn by unlearning and questioning everything.
- What can you take from it?
- Start from basics and verify claims yourself.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How can we balance respect for tradition with the need to question?
Another view
It may ignore valuable accumulated wisdom.
More from Henry, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke St John
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