Kingman Brewster Jr. Quotes

When blithe to argument I come, Though armed with facts, and merry, May Providence protect me from The fool as adversary, Whose mind to him a kingdom is Where reason lacks dominion, Who calls conviction prejudice And prejudice opinion.

I was bold in the pursuit of knowledge, never fearing to follow truth and reason to whatever results they led, and bearding every authority which stood in their way.

Let the winds of evidence blow you about as though you are a leaf, with no direction of your own. Beware lest you fight a rearguard retreat against the evidence, grudgingly conceding each foot of ground only when forced, feeling cheated. Surrender to the truth as quickly as you can.

The most important function of the university in an age of reason is to protect reason from itself.

Facts matter. Science matters. Reason matters. Mitt Romney has shown an inability to respect any of the three. President Barack Obama not only respects them, he relies on them. He is an overwhelming and unquestioned choice to continue as president.

To have doubted one's own first principles is the mark of a civilized man.

Just think of the tragedy of teaching children not to doubt.

A philosopher goes where the truth leads and has no patience with mere emotion.

Only reason can convince us of those three fundamental truths without a recognition of which there can be no effective liberty: that what we believe is not necessarily good; and that all questions are open.

We need a world where the values of science are celebrated: free inquiry, free speech and a healthy skepticism, all coupled with a sense of wonder, a respect for truth and an ability to reason.

Men become civilized, not in proportion to their willingness to believe, but in their readiness to doubt.

I have one request: may I never use my reason against truth.

An open mind is not an end in itself but a means to the end of finding truth.

People who cannot recognize a palpable absurdity are very much in the way of civilization.

The universities deceive when they say they have no agenda other than to open minds.

For scholarship - if it is to be scholarship - requires, in addition to liberty, that the truth take precedence over all sectarian interests, including self-interest.

Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call to her tribunal every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blindfolded fear.

Men become civilized, not in proportion to their willingness to believe, but in proportion to their readiness to doubt.

Fortunately for serious minds, a bias recognized is a bias sterilized.

The University conceives of itself as dedicated to the power of the intellect. Its commitment is to the way of reason.

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.

I respect faith, but doubt is what gives you an education.

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

Quotations are useful in periods of ignorance or obscurantist beliefs.

The improver of natural knowledge absolutely refuses to acknowledge authority, as such. For him, skepticism is the highest of duties; blind faith the one unpardonable sin.