In like manner, if I let myself believe anything on insufficient evidence, there may be no great harm done by the mere belief; it may be true after all, or I may never have occasion to exhibit it in outward acts.
quote by William Kingdon Clifford
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Related quotes
Faith is the great cop-out, the great excuse to evade the need to think and evaluate evidence. Faith is belief in spite of, even perhaps because of, the lack of evidence.
quote by Richard Dawkins
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Courage that grows from constitution often forsakes a man when he has occasion for it; courage which arises from a sense of duty acts; in a uniform manner.
quote by Joseph Addison
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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You are Mistaken! !
The arguments range far and wide.
Opinions held stubbornly
will be adhered to by each side
Because we do not want to see.
That we may be wrong possibly.
Brain washed by what we have been taught.
By teachers who most probably
had not expended too much thought.
Passed on the tenets of their creed
for which they had no evidence.
They merely listened and agreed
which shows a lack of competence.
A teacher should be confident
that what he teaches is the truth.
Mere words are insufficient
when you are educating youth.
Challenge all you have been taught.
Although in fact it may be true
Do not accept without much thought.
The currently prevailing view.
Each creed will claim they are correct.
It ‘s human nature so to do
This will not change. I don’t expect
We’ll ever know which one is true.
12/07/2009
http: / blog.myspace.com/poeticpiers
poem by Ivor Or Ivor.e Hogg
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Credulity is belief in slight evidence, with no evidence, or against evidence.
quote by Tryon Edwards
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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In college, in the early 1950s, I began to learn a little about how science works, the secrets of its great success, how rigorous the standards of evidence must be if we are really to know something is true, how many false starts and dead ends have plagued human thinking, how our biases can colour our interpretation of evidence, and how often belief systems widely held and supported by the political, religious and academic hierarchies turn out to be not just slightly in error, but grotesquely wrong.
Carl Sagan in The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark
Submitted by Catalin Popescu
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It is wrong always, everywhere, and for everyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.
quote by William James
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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To sum up: it is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.
quote by William Kingdon Clifford
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It is wrong always, everywhere, and for anyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.
quote by William Kingdon Clifford
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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In conclusion, there is a marvelous anecdote from the occasion of Russell's ninetieth birthday that best serves to summarize his attitude toward God and religion. A London lady sat next to him at this party, and over the soup she suggested to him that he was not only the world's most famous atheist but, by this time, very probably the world's oldest atheist. 'What will you do, Bertie, if it turns out you're wrong' she asked. 'I mean, what if--uh--when the time comes, you should meet Him What will you say' Russell was delighted with the question. His birght, birdlike eyes grew even brighter as he contempalated this possible future dialogue, and then he pointed a finger upward and cried, 'Why, I should say, 'God, you gave us insufficient evidence.' '
Validation Of Truth
She assumes many things
that she believes to be fact
as she thinks
perceives
so must it be
an absolute
for her
there can be
no other possibilities
no exceptions
in her mood changing reality
she remains
at the centre
of her world
a belief system
based upon presumptions
without foundation
believed without
actual evidence
mere inference
conclusions drawn
without evidence
lacking reasoning
no logical process
applied reasoning
premise to conclusion
a reasoning process
lacking logic is
incapable of comprehension
validation to confirm establish truth
would be an ongoing redundant task
poem by Terence George Craddock
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And yet you see the weakness of external evidence-and outward miracles; they were not sufficient to make true believers, or to make the Israelites believe that Jesus was their promised Messiah.
quote by Elias Hicks
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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How beautiful is
How beautiful is the Belief, when we belief in the God
How beautiful are the Creatures, when we belief in the Creator
How beautiful is the Motherhood, when we belief in the Sacrifices
How beautiful is the Fatherhood, when we belief in the Battles
How beautiful is the Childhood, when we belief in the Innocence
How beautiful is the Dream, when we belief in the Ambition
How beautiful is the Contentment, when we belief in the Simplicity
How beautiful is the Life, when we belief in the dead
How beautiful is the Love, when we belief in the Care
How beautiful is the Happiness, when we belief in the Sadness
How beautiful is the Relationships, when we belief in the Tender
How beautiful is the Fruit, when we belief in the Farming
How beautiful is the Confidence, when we belief in Our self
How beautiful is the Beauty, when we belief in Our eyes
How beautiful is the World, when we belief in Peace
How beautiful is the Friendship, when we belief in Brotherhood
How beautiful is the Marriage, when we belief in Sharing
How beautiful is the World, when we belief in the Peace
poem by Mohammed AlBalushi
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We must surrender our skepticism only in the face of rock-solid evidence. Science demands a tolerance for ambiguity. Where we are ignorant, we withhold belief. Whatever annoyance the uncertainty engenders serves a higher purpose: It drives us to accumulate better data. This attitude is the difference between science and so much else. Science offers little in the way of cheap thrills. The standards of evidence are strict. But when followed they allow us to see far, illuminating even a great darkness.
Carl Sagan in Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space
Submitted by Catalin Popescu
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Mere Phantasy
The story is mere phantasy, of extremities,
The hardships of love commend a relief.
In this story of hard knowledge there is my altar
To which I sacrifice, and I worship the belief.
Let it become you this forsaken nature,
It became one when it was not one
And the smells of paradise ever felt.
The phantasy has turned true due to the sky
And the information so fragrant is vanishing.
This is mere phantasy!
poem by Naveed Akram
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Belief Comes Easy
I live with my belief and I’m not weak
From it I derive a great strength
Belief is easy, it comes quick
Not needing a travel of great length!
Belief in something that runs the universe
One that determines my role
Driven by it, my life I traverse
I act with a purpose in soul!
I don’t question it, I have no doubt
I believe it controls all things
I don’t ask, ‘what’s it all about’
Such thoughts I prune their wings!
I’m in peace with a straitjacket force
I sail on the ocean without end
Belief is what I have, my only recourse
Before it I bow my head and I bend!
poem by Pradip Chattopadhyay
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Megalo-Maniac Type Specific
Control. Control. Control.
All. All else. Everything else.
Death. Pain. Poverty.
Dealt with indifferently.
Rejecting charm in power quest
indomitable will to super impose.
The megalomaniac seeking
to be feared not to be loved.
Exhibit A: many lunatics
clearly certifiably insane.
Exhibit B: most presumed
great men of history?
poem by Terence George Craddock
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True Love Is...
True love is
the look into your eyes
that is meant for you alone,
a gentle kiss that says everything will be all right,
a hand held in just the right way at the right time,
a hug gives you comfort feel.
True love is
a secret told by one heart and guarded by my mind,
a belief that someone knows you as no one else can,
the little daily acts of thoughtfulness
that go unmentioned but being noticed.
True love is
wonder feeling that no matter where you are,
the deepest part of you remains with the one you love,
a dream that comes true with time, places,
trust and honesty.
True Love is forever like
Diamond is Forever
poem by Lawrence Hiung
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Exhibit A
What appears,
Is a clear re-introduction of reality.
You can say it's Exhibit A.
The one quickly scanned...
When sweetened dreams,
Were distributed to be held...
In fat greedy hands.
Exhibit A depicted...
What would occur,
If deceit was released
To be inflicted.
But as always...
As temptations do.
Blind those who believe,
They are among the chosen few.
Those who are usually the ones left screwed.
Exhibit A...
Was not just there on display,
For folks to glance and walk away!
Exhibit A...
Though abstract!
Presented facts of discomforts.
Facts presented by those nonconforming.
Facts shouted out.
And now those degradations...
Come to visit,
Those who are being...
Economically tossed about,
In a suffering they were led to believe...
Would never be theirs to bear!
But...
No one prepared,
For Exhibit A to be harsh on them.
Not those who entertained their selfishness!
Not those who maintained and fed their whims.
Not today!
Not Exhibit A.
To begin all over again for 'them'!
And theirs.
Who flaunted their wares,
Without a mercy they cared to share!
What appears,
Is a clear re-introduction of reality.
You can say it's Exhibit A.
The one quickly scanned...
When sweetened dreams,
Were distributed to be held...
In fat greedy hands.
Now demanding full attention.
An attention that commands!
poem by Lawrence S. Pertillar
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Puzzling Evidence
You got the cbs...!
And the abc...!
You got time and newsweek!
Well, theyre the same to me!
Now dont you wanna get right with me?
(puzzling evidence)
I hope you get evrything you need
(puzzling evidence)
Puzzling evidence
Puzzling evidence
Puzzling evidence
Done hardened in your heart
Hardened in your heart.
...alright!u
Now I am the gun
And you are the bullet
I got the power and glory!
(puzzling)
And the money to buy it!
(puzzling)
Got your gulf and western and your mastercard
(puzzling evidence)
Got what you wanted, lost what you had
(puzzling evidence)
Im seeing
Puzzling evidence
Puzzling evidence
Puzzling evidence
Done hardened in your heart
Its hardened up your heart.
...alright!
Huh...huh...huh...huh...huh...huh...huh...u
Well, Im puzzling (huh!)
Im puzzling (huh!)
Im puzzling (huh!)
Puzzling (huh!)
Im puzzling (huh!)
Woo...Im puzzling (huh!)
Sometimes Im puzzling! (huh!)
See the little children! (puzzlin)
And the family! (puzzlin)
Gonna live together! (puzzlin)
Take them home with me! (puzzlin)
Well I hope youre happy with what youve made
(puzzling evidence)
In the land of the free and the home of the brave
(puzzling evidence)
Im seeing
Puzzling evidence
Puzzling evidence
Puzzling (sometimes) evidence
Done hardened in your heart
Hardened in your heart
Huh...huh...huh...huh...huh...huh...huh...
Im puzzling (huh!)
Puzzling (huh!)
Puzzling (huh!)
P-p-p-puzzlin! (huh!)
Still puzzlin! (huh!)
song performed by by Talking Heads
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Puzzlin' Evidence
You got the CBS...!
And the ABC...!
You got Time and Newsweek!
Well, they're the same to me!
Now don't you wanna get right with me?
(Puzzling Evidence)
I hope you get ev'rything you need
(Puzzling Evidence)
Puzzling Evidence
Puzzling Evidence
Puzzling Evidence
Done hardened in your heart
Hardened in your heart.
...Alright!
Now I am the gun
And you are the bullet
I got the power and glory!
(Puzzling)
And the money to buy it!
(Puzzling)
Got your Gulf and Western and your MasterCard
(Puzzling Evidence)
Got what you wanted, lost what you had
(Puzzling Evidence)
I'm seeing
Puzzling Evidence
Puzzling Evidence
Puzzling Evidence
Done hardened in your heart
It's hardened up your heart.
...alright!
Huh...huh...huh...huh...huh...huh...huh...
Well, I'm puzzling (Huh!)
I'm puzzling (Huh!)
I'm puzzling (Huh!)
Puzzling (Huh!)
I'm puzzling (Huh!)
Woo...I'm puzzling (Huh!)
Sometimes I'm puzzling! (Huh!)
See the little children! (Puzzlin')
And the family! (Puzzlin')
Gonna live together! (Puzzlin')
Take them home with me! (Puzzlin')
Well I hope you're happy with what you've made
(Puzzling Evidence)
In the land of the free and the home of the brave
(Puzzling Evidence)
I'm seeing
Puzzling Evidence
Puzzling Evidence
Puzzling (sometimes) evidence
Done hardened in your heart
Hardened in your heart
Huh...huh...huh...huh...huh...huh...huh...
I'm puzzling (Huh!)
Puzzling (Huh!)
Puzzling (Huh!)
P-P-P-Puzzlin'! (Huh!)
Still Puzzlin'! (Huh
song performed by by Talking Heads
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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