Austin Farrer Quotes

It is commonly said that if rational argument is so seldom the cause of conviction, philosophical apologists must largely be wasting their shot. The premise is true, but the conclusion does not follow. For though argument does not create conviction, the lack of it destroys belief. What seems to be proved may not be embraced; but what no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish.

Let one persuade many, and he becomes confirmed and convinced, and cares for no better evidence.

Faith is not uprooted by dialectic proof; it must already be deeply shaken by other causes to be unable to withstand the shock of argument.

Persuasion is clearly a sort of demonstration, since we are most fully persuaded when we consider a thing to have been demonstrated.

Rhetoric is cheap, evidence comes more dearly.

A proof tells us where to concentrate our doubts.

People are always demanding proof. These are things that are not easily proved.

A thing that nobody believes cannot be proved too often.

If you don't believe in a line, then you come off as the loser.

What no one shows the ability to defend is quickly abandoned. Rational argument does not create belief, but it maintains a climate in which belief may flourish.

If someone doesn’t value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide that proves they should value evidence. If someone doesn’t value logic, what logical argument would you invoke to prove they should value logic?

But what, after all, is faith? It is a state of mind that leads people to believe something - it doesn't matter what - in the total absence of supporting evidence. If there were good supporting evidence then faith would be superfluous, for the evidence would compel us to believe it anyway. It is this that makes the often-parroted claim that 'evolution itself is a matter of faith' so silly. People believe in evolution not because they arbitrarily want to believe it but because of overwhelming, publicly available evidence.

I hate doubt, yet I am certain that doubt is the only way to approach anything worth believing in.

If you hear my idea and dont believe it , thats not your fault its mine.

The trouble is, you can't properly present something you don't believe in.

The unbelieving mind would not be convinced by any proof, and the worshiping heart needs none.

Skepticism may undermine beliefs, but never belief.

I have beliefs, of course, like everyone-but I don't always believe in them.

Faith does not mean credulity...

My proof convinces the ignorant, and the wise man's proof convinces me. But he whose reasoning falls between wisdom and ignorance, I neither can convince him, nor can he convince me.

Do your homework and know your facts, but remember it's passion that persuades.

The beliefs which we have most warrant for, have no safeguard to rest on, but a standing invitation to the whole world to prove them unfounded.

I don't want them to believe me, I just want them to think.

Belief is not the beginning of knowledge - it is the end.

if you don't have doubts you're either kidding yourself or asleep. Doubts are the ants-in-the-pants of faith. They keep it alive and moving.