Nicolas Roeg Quotes

We can be critical of the things that we love. That is possible.

Be quick to learn and wise to know.

If a book be false in its facts, disprove them; if false in its reasoning, refute it. But for God's sake, let us freely hear both sides if we choose.

I think there are different ways of being rigorous, and I am asking people to be as rigorous in their pleasure as in their criticism.

The greatest and noblest pleasure which we have in this world is to discover new truths, and the next is to shake off old prejudices.

Take heed of critics even when they are not fair; resist them even when they are.

To acquire knowledge, one must study; but to acquire wisdom, one must observe.

The learner always begins by finding fault, but the scholar sees the positive merit in everything.

If something is wrong, it'll prove to be wrong in the wash, and if it's right, you don't want to not expose yourself to it - so I read everything, no matter how horrible it gets. You listen and take it in and if it doesn't sway you, you'll know you considered it.

That which the Fascists hate above all else, is intelligence.

I believe in an open mind, but not so open that your brains fall out.

Doubt grows with knowledge.

Seeing reality for what it is is what we call discernment. The work of discernment is very hard.

You have to listen to the people who have a negative opinion as well as those who have positive opinion. Just to make sure that you are blending all these opinions in your mind before a decision is made.

Contrary to current cynicism about past golden ages, the abstraction known as 'the intelligent layperson' does exist - in the form of millions of folks with a passionate commitment to continuous learning.

It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.

Question everything. Learn something. Answer nothing.

The stupidity of people comes from having an answer for everything. The wisdom of the novel comes from having a question for everything.

Learning sleeps and snores in libraries, but wisdom is everywhere, wide awake, on tiptoe.

If we bring not the good courage of minds covetous of truth, and truth only, prepared to hear all things, and decide upon all things, according to evidence, we should do more wisely to sit down contented in ignorance, than to bestir ourselves only to reap disappointment.

The opposition is indispensable. A good statesman, like any other sensible human being, always learns more from his opponents than from his fervent supporters.

Wisdom is not the province of only one party.

Yet you must not cling to the words of the old sages either; they, too, may not be right. Even if you believe them, you should be alert so that, in the event that something superior comes along, you may follow that.

To be conscious that you are ignorant is a great step to knowledge.

It is not the least service which a college or university may render to those under its instruction, to habituate them to looking not only patiently but methodically on both sides, before adopting any conclusion upon controverted issues.