TRUTH QUOTES XIV

quotations about truth

Truth doesn't always heal a wounded soul.

MAXIM GORKY

The Lower Depths

Tags: Maxim Gorky


Where the interests of truth are at actual stake, we ought, perhaps, to sacrifice even that which is our own--if, at least, we are to lay any claim to a philosophic spirit.

ARISTOTLE

Nicomachean Ethics

Tags: Aristotle


Truth as philosophy is a gas; as art, it is visible steam.

AUSTIN O'MALLEY

Keystones of Thought


I never encourage deceit, and falsehood, especially if you have got a bad memory, is the worst enemy a fellow can have. The fact is truth is your truest friend, no matter what the circumstances are.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN

letter to George E. Pickett, February 22, 1841

Tags: Abraham Lincoln


Error is related to truth as sleep to waking. I have observed that on awakening from error a man turns again to truth as with new vigour.

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

The Maxims and Reflections of Goethe


With the truth, all given facts harmonize; but with what is false, the truth soon hits a wrong note.

ARISTOTLE

Nicomachean Ethics


A person is strong only when he stands upon his own truth, when he speaks and acts from his deepest convictions. Then, whatever the situation he may be in, he always knows what he must say and do. He may fall, but he cannot bring shame upon himself or his cause.

MIKHAIL BAKUNIN

God and the State

Tags: Mikhail Bakunin


There is truth and falsehood in a comma.

TOM STOPPARD

The Invention of Love

Tags: Tom Stoppard


But that battered word, truth, having made its appearance here, confronts one immediately with a series of riddles and has, moreover, since so many gospels are preached, the unfortunate tendency to make one belligerent.

JAMES BALDWIN

Notes of a Native Son

Tags: James Baldwin


In your admiration for truth do not forget that truth can sometimes be as foul as a lie.

AUSTIN O'MALLEY

Keystones of Thought


In all perception of the truth there is a divine ecstasy, an inexpressible delirium of joy, as when a youth embraces his betrothed virgin.

HENRY DAVID THOREAU

Familiar Letters


Truth is a chameleon.

BRIAN HERBERT & KEVIN J. ANDERSON

Dune: House Atreides

Tags: Brian Herbert


The most effectual method of expelling error, is, not to meet it sword in hand, but gradually to instill great truths, with which it cannot easily coexist.

WILLIAM E. CHANNING

Thoughts

Tags: William E. Channing


Truth is, whatever may be said to the contrary, superior to all fictions. One ought never to regret seeing clearer into the depths.

JAMES PLATT

Platt's Essays


Our mind is dreadfully active sometimes, and the other day we began to speculate on Truth. Our friends are still avoiding us. Every man knows what Truth is, but it is impossible to utter it. The face of your listener, his eyes mirthful or sorry, his eager expectance or his churlish disdain insensibly distort your message. You find yourself saying what you know he expects you to say, or (more often) what he expects you not to say. You may not be aware of this, but that is what happens. In order that the world may go on and human beings thrive, nature has contrived that the Truth may not often be uttered.

CHRISTOPHER MORLEY

"Truth", Mince Pie


Whatever truth you contribute to the world will be one lucky shot in a thousand misses. You cannot be right by holding your breath and taking precautions.

WALTER LIPPMANN

"Taking a Chance", Force and Ideas: The Early Writings

Tags: Walter Lippmann


An ingenious web of probabilities is the surest screen a wise man can place between himself and the truth.

GEORGE ELIOT

Adam Bede

Tags: George Eliot


If it were true what in the end would be gained? Nothing but another truth. Is this such a mighty advantage? We have enough old truths still to digest, and even these we would be quite unable to endure if we did not sometimes flavor them with lies.

GEORG CHRISTOPH LICHTENBERG

"Notebook E", Aphorisms

Tags: Georg Christoph Lichtenberg


The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it.

FLANNERY O'CONNOR

letter, September 6, 1955

Tags: Flannery O'Connor


Truth is inclusive of all the virtues, is older than sects and schools, and, like charity, more ancient than mankind.

AMOS BRONSON ALCOTT

Table Talk