Quotes About Skepticism

If you write movies, you never know who the enemy is. Someone is going to fuck you, that's a given.

I am what I might term an unprejudiced sceptic. I am not given to either believing or disbelieving things 'on principle,' as I have found many idiots prone to be, and what is more, some of them not ashamed to boast of the insane fact.

People distrust you if you don't play the same games they do, Sonny. It's the same after you grow up.

As a rule we disbelieve all the facts and theories for which we have no use.

Moral scepticism can no more be refuted or proved by logic than intellectual scepticism can. When we stick to it that there is truth (be it of either kind), we do so with our whole nature, and resolve to stand or fall by the results. The sceptic with his whole nature adopts the doubting attitude; but which of us is the wiser, Omniscience only knows.

I CAN, of course, put myself into the sectarian scientist's attitude, and imagine vividly that the world of sensations and of scientific laws and objects may be all. But whenever I do this, I hear that inward monitor of which W. K. Clifford once wrote, whispering the word bosh! Humbug is humbug, even though it bear the scientific name, and the total expression of human experience, as I view it objectively, invincibly urges me beyond the narrow scientific bounds.

But the Fuehrer had smelled a rat

Is it more childish and foolish to insist that there is a conspiracy or that there is not?

He knows religion is bollocks," Collingswood said. "He just wishes he didn't.

You got to be worried when they're agreeing about anything," she said. "Prophets. That's the last bloody thing you want prophets to do.

Really? That's what it stems from, is it? You've got it all sorted out, have you? Faith is stupidity, is it?

Yeah but," Collingswood said cautiously. "Only, it's not totally admirable, is it, given that it's total fucking bollocks." They stared some more. "Well," Vardy said. "That is true. I would have to concede that, unfortunately." Neither of them laughed, but they could have done.

I wanted to do a book that was extremely suspicious of storytelling... it ("Embassytown") is very skeptical of the liberating potential of narrative. [I present] the idea that narrative may just as well be a shackle as [well] as a key.

Is it more foolish and childish to assume there is a conspiracy, or that there is not?

The man who comes with a tale about others has himself an ax to grind.

He who praises me on all occasions is a fool who despises me or a knave who wishes to cheat me.

You must develop the habit of skepticism, not swallow every piece of superstition you are told by witch-doctors and professors.

In Sternin's judgment, all of this analysis was "TBU"—true but useless.

In life, it's best not to take anything for free - unless it's from someone who wishes you well.

radio shock jocks were soon telling an audience eager to believe in their own righteousness and sound mental health that the impairment was fake.

Cynicism is what happens when skepticism is given too much latitude.

Trust No One.

Is there any wonder why we are in such big trouble? Any question why the people don't trust their government anymore, and demand a change?

Perhaps at twenty, one is naturally curious about life, but at thirty, simply suspicious of anyone who still has one.