Edwin Way Teale Quotes

Science is a method to keep yourself from kidding yourself.

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.

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

To think truly is noble and to be deceived is base.

A rational man never distorts or corrupts his own standards and judgment in order to appeal to the irrationality, stupidity, or dishonesty of others.

If you will take my advice you will think little of Socrates, and a great deal more of truth.

I just want people to hold themselves to account about what they think more, because I strongly believe that the way to live a moral life is to not allow yourself to have beliefs which are easy but which don't make sense.

For dear me, why abandon a belief Merely because it ceases to be true

Argument is not always truth.

I am sure, zeal or love for truth can never permit falsehood to be used in the defense of it.

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.

Sinners often speak the truth. And saints have led people astray. Examine what is said, not the one who says it.

It is one thing to wish to have truth on our side, and another to wish sincerely to be on the side of truth.

I think the mistake that people make often times is you just lose touch of reality and you have to never be afraid to call someone's bullshit or call someone's bluff when something doesn't make sense.

One of the saddest lessons of history is this: If we’ve been bamboozled long enough, we tend to reject any evidence of the bamboozle. We’re no longer interested in finding out the truth. The bamboozle has captured us. It’s simply too painful to acknowledge, even to ourselves, that we’ve been taken. Once you give a charlatan power over you, you almost never get it back.

It is the duty of every man, as far as his ability extends, to detect and expose delusion and error.

If fallacies come knocking at my door,I'd rather feed, and shelter full a score,Than hide behind the black portcullis, doubt,And run the risk of barring one Truth out.And if pretension for a time deceive,And prove me one too ready to believe,Far less my shame, than if by stubborn act,I brand as lie, some great colossal Fact.

If you cannot endure to be thought in the wrong, you will begin to do terrible things to make the wrong appear right.

My work is to be honest. My work is to try to think clearly, then have the courage to make sure that what I say is the truth.

The best defence against bullshit is vigilance. So if you smell something, say something.

Anyone who values truth should stop worshipping reason.

Your friend is intellectually honourable," Jimmy's mother would say. "He doesn't lie to himself.

You have to be intellectually honest with yourself and others. In my judgment, all great investors are seekers of truth.

Why is it people who want the truth never believe it when they hear it?