Charles Caleb Colton Quotes

He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors.

In truth, opinion may be taken for understanding; understanding cannot be taken for opinion. How so? Surely because opinion may be deceived; understanding cannot be. If it could, it would not be understanding but opinion. For true understanding has not only certain truth, but the knowledge of truth.

It is the natural tendency of the ignorant to believe what is not true. In order to overcome that tendency it is not sufficient to exhibit the true; it is also necessary to expose and denounce the false.

Untruth being unacceptable to the mind of man, there is no other defence left for absurdity but obscurity.

The art of living is the art of knowing how to believe lies. The fearful thing about it is that, not knowing what truth may be, we can still recognize lies.

We do not find truth groveling through error.

To avoid being drawn into error, keep a firm grip on the truth.

No pleasure is comparable to the standing upon the vantage-ground of truth.

I seek the truth...it is only persistence in self-delusion and ignorance that does harm.

To take what you know for what you know, and what you do not know for what you do not know, that is knowledge indeed.

A charlatan makes obscure what is clear; a thinker makes clear what is obscure.

Truth is error burned up.

If any man can convince me and bring home to me that I do not think or act aright, gladly will I change; for I search after truth, by which man never yet was harmed. But he is harmed who abideth on still in his deception and ignorance.

Our minds possess by nature an insatiable desire to know the truth.

The moment you know you know you know.

The more false we destroy, the more room there will be for the true.

You must learn all things, both the unshaken heart of persuasive truth, and the opinions of mortals in which there is no true warranty.

How wrong people always were when they said: 'It's better to know the worst than go on not knowing either way.' No; they had it exactly the wrong way round. Tell me the truth, doctor, I'd sooner know. But only if the truth is what I want to hear.

If WE claim only reasonable probability, it will be as much as men who love the truth can ever at any given moment hope to have within their grasp.

Theory now: concern for truth must not hobble our discussion.

All true knowledge contradicts common sense.

Theory is continually the precursor of truth; we must pass through the twilight and its shade, to arrive at the full and perfect day.

In the absence of truth there is confusion, the essence of truth.

He who does not lie does not know what truth is.

That which you know, know not; and that which you see, see not.