OPINION QUOTES V

quotations about opinion

I am not one of those who in expressing opinions confine themselves to facts.

MARK TWAIN

What Is Man?

Tags: Mark Twain


Persecution is only an attempt to do that overtly and with violence, which the community is, in self-defense, perpetually doing unconsciously and in silence. In many societies variation of belief is practically impossible. In other societies it is permitted only along certain definite lines. In no society that has ever existed, or could be conceived as existing, are opinions equally free (in the scientific sense of the term, not the legal) to develop themselves indifferently in all directions.

ARTHUR BALFOUR

Essays and Addresses

Tags: Arthur Balfour


The presumption that any current opinion is not wholly false, gains in strength according to the number of its adherents.

HERBERT SPENCER

First Principles

Tags: Herbert Spencer


There is simply too much to think about. It is hopeless -- too many kinds of special preparation are required. In electronics, in economics, in social analysis, in history, in psychology, in international politics, most of us are, given the oceanic proliferating complexity of things, paralyzed by the very suggestion that we assume responsibility for so much. This is what makes packaged opinion so attractive.

SAUL BELLOW

"There Is Simply Too Much to Think About", It All Adds Up

Tags: Saul Bellow


Private opinion is weak, but public opinion is almost omnipotent.

HENRY WARD BEECHER

Life Thoughts

Tags: Henry Ward Beecher


In whatever opinion we are confirmed, we consider our discrimination perfectly judicious; when we change that opinion for another, we are the same; when we relapse into a former tenet, we are so too: in the greatest deviation of principle or profession, we are still confident; and were we to progress in rapid and endless diversity of sentiment or persuasion, confidence, certainty, and inscrutable assurance would, perhaps, ever be our concomitant guides.

NORMAN MACDONALD

Maxims and Moral Reflections

Tags: Norman MacDonald


The foolish and the dead alone never change their opinion.

JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

"Abraham Lincoln", Political Essays

Tags: James Russell Lowell


Let us resist the opinion of the world fearlessly, provided only that our self-respect grows in proportion to our indifference.

MADAME SWETCHINE

"Airelles", The Writings of Madame Swetchine

Tags: Madame Swetchine


There are as many opinions as there are experts.

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

speech, June 12, 1942

Tags: Franklin D. Roosevelt


I suppose he's entitled to his opinion, but I don't suppose it very hard.

ISAAC ASIMOV

"Seven Steps to Grand Master"

Tags: Isaac Asimov


Opinion is a medium between knowledge and ignorance.

PLATO

attributed, Day's Collacon

Tags: Plato


Opinion is more often the cause of discontent than nature.

EPICURUS

attributed, Day's Collacon


A man should change his opinion as often as he finds it wrong.

ROBERT CARY

attributed, Day's Collacon


Genuine belief ended with persecution. As soon as it was felt that to punish a man for maintaining an independent opinion was shocking and unjust, so soon a doubt had entered whether the faith established was unquestionably true.

JAMES ANTHONY FROUDE

The Nemesis of Faith

Tags: James Anthony Froude


Men do not care so much for the opinions they hold, as for what they hold by their opinions.

RALPH VENNING

The New Command Renew'd


False opinions cannot be corrected by fire or the sword.

EMPEROR JULIAN

attributed, Day's Collacon


I'll tell you what's the greatest power under heaven, and that is public opinion--the ruling belief in society about what is right and what is wrong, what is honourable and what is shameful. That's the steam that is to work the engines.

GEORGE ELIOT

Felix Holt

Tags: George Eliot


If then I am addressing one of that numerous class, who read to be told what to think, let me advise you to meddle with the book no further. You wish to buy a house ready furnished: do not come to look for it in a stonequarry. But if you are building up your opinions for yourself, and only want to be provided with materials, you may meet with many things in these pages to suit you.

JULIUS HARE

Guesses at Truth

Tags: Julius Hare


If God were our one and only desire we would not be so easily upset when our opinions do not find outside acceptance.

THOMAS A KEMPIS

The Imitation of Christ

Tags: Thomas A Kempis


Opponents fancy they refute us when they repeat their own opinion and pay no attention to ours.

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE

The Maxims and Reflections of Goethe

Tags: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe