John Dryden Quotes

Anyone who in discussion relies upon authority uses, not his understanding, but rather his memory.

Every new opinion, at its starting, is precisely in a minority of one.

Knowledge is the most democratic source of power.

As soon as a norm is established, people start questioning it, which is probably a good thing in the end.

In every respect the burden is hard on those who attack an almost universal opinion. They must be very fortunate well as unusually capable if they obtain a hearing at all.

Do not force others, including children, by any means whatsoever, to adopt your views, whether by authority, threat, money, propaganda, or even education. However, through compassionate dialogue, help others renounce fanaticism and narrowness.

Whoever ventures to attack a system received so generally, and supported by so great a weight of authority, is exposed to various evils. They who have embraced its principles are apt to slight and neglect, or, if that may not he, to conceive it their business to overthrow the heterodox doctrines. What of error they may contain is eagerly seized on, what of truth, is overlooked.

Though what we accept be true, it is a prejudice unless we ourselves have considered and understood why and how it is true.

We are here to unlearn the teachings of the church, state, and our education system.

We've always been a band that questions things.

In every part of our society, rules have to be questioned and adapted.

Any acceptance of authority is the very denial of truth.

Just because you’re taught that something’s right and everyone believes it’s right, it don’t make it right.

It’s actually pretty easy to be contrarian. It’s hard to be contrarian and right.

In some corner of the world they are probably still holding regular meetings of the Flat Earth Society. We derive no comfort because important people, vocal people, or great numbers of people agree with us. Nor do we derive comfort if they don't.

The first key to wisdom is assiduous and frequent questioning.

The first step is to recognize what you need to know and why you need to know it.

They that never peeped beyond the common belief in which their easy understandings were at first indoctrinated are strongly assured of the truth of their receptions.

I was an ordinary boy at school, a young man. In fact, what did the headmaster once say? "You're constantly challenging those in authority; questioning and challenging those in authority." Which was not really the way I saw it. I felt there were questions that had to be answered, and things that weren't quite right.

As far as you can, get into the habit of asking yourself in relation to any action taken by another: "What is his point of reference here?" But begin with yourself: examine yourself first.

Think for yourself. Know what you're doing. Question authority.

Being informed is different from being formed, and the first is a common substitute for the second.

It is only because the majority opinion will always be opposed by some that our knowledge and understanding progress... it is always from a minority acting in ways different from what the majority would prescribe that the majority in the end learns to do better.

Authority in science exists to be questioned, since heresy is the spring from which new ideas flow.