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About this quote

What does it mean?
Facts stand on their own without need for lineage, and the living ignore dead mistakes.
In plain terms
Facts are true no matter who says them and don't fear past errors.
What can you take from it?
Trust facts not status or past authority.

Where it applies

  • scientific method
  • academic discourse
  • critical thinking

Putting it to work

  • verify facts
  • avoid appeals to authority
  • learn from past

Questions to consider

  • When do you trust facts over people?
  • Should we respect the past?

Another view

It ignores that context from the dead can be useful.

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