Novalis Quotes

Large skepticism leads to large understanding. Small skepticism leads to small understanding. No skepticism leads to no understanding.

Skepticism may undermine beliefs, but never belief.

William James used to preach the "will-to-believe." For my part, I should wish to preach the "will-to-doubt." None of our beliefs are quite true; all at least have a penumbra of vagueness and error. What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the will to find out, which is the exact opposite.

The path of sound credence is through the thick forest of skepticism.

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

Doubt grows with knowledge.

What is wanted is not the will to believe, but the will to find out, which is the exact opposite.

Question everything. Learn something. Answer nothing.

Doubt is the incentive to truth and inquiry leads the way.

I would rather have a mind opened by wonder than one closed by belief.

Believe those who seek the truth; doubt those who find it.

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.

Doubt, indulged and cherished, is in danger of becoming denial; but if honest, and bent on thorough investigation, it may soon lead to full establishment of the truth.

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

Faith is the enemy of discovery.

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

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.

Unless you have the courage to doubt you will never come to know the truth.

Though as he'd say, what is 'belief' but a willingness to suspend the negatives?

If you don't believe it you won't understand it.

Doubt . . . impels a search for the truth. It opens the door to knowledge. Faith puts a lock on the door. Indeed, . . . faith anesthetizes the desire to seek knowledge and truth.

Our understanding of the world around us is constantly being redefined and expanded, and so therefore, it is wiser to be passionate about seeking for truth than knowing it.

Faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other.

Doubt is the vestibule through which all must pass before they can enter into the temple of wisdom.