"One's first step in wisdom is to question everything --
and one's last is to come to terms with everything."
by:
Georg Christoph Lichtenberg
(1742-1799) German scientist, professor, satirist and Anglophile
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Reader comments about this quote:
Absolutely! If we are ever to regain our rights and freedoms, it is necessary to question Authority. I simply will NOT come to terms with being a feudal slave. Go Ron Paul. :)
 -- J Carlton, Calgary     
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    Russell could have written this. Excellent!
     -- RobertSRQ     
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    Wow -- 10 stars! Such honesty is rare.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Although the statement is powerful and I agree with it there is a mistake in the simple reading of it. It is impossible at first or last step to literally question everything. There is just too much information and many people to due that. If one really trys to question everything, one will never make the next step. One must have a degree of trust in others, the good judgement to know who can be trusted, and face the reality that you must constantly review your own judgement of who you can trust and why you can trust them. In a perfect world the statement is true, but in the world of today, one must realize people change, and not always for the better.
     -- w dornth, Arizona     
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    It is essential for us to question our beliefs, convictions, and prejudices frequently. According to Thoreau: "No way of doing can be trusted without proof."
     -- Mark, Northfield, Minnesota     
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    Ponder would be more appropriate of a word today than question. The word question has taken on some negative connotations in recent years and perhaps changes the original meaning of the quote.
     -- warren, olathe     
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    Empirical science, and its methods. vs Natural Philosophy. I would question what Lichtenberg, terms as wisdom. The latter of his statement bears that fact out, he stands in theory and doubt as Aristotle.
     -- Ronw13, Yachats Or     
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     -- jim k, Austin      
    Ron13, well said
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    I feel very fortunate that when young the here general concept was instilled in me from multiple angles and perspectives. I was taught to question and experiment with experiences until I could know the difference between spirit and empty sensorial familiarity, true freedom from usurpations and slavery, etc.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    Know ye the truth and the truth will make you mad. 

    The seeker of truth is no stranger to controversy — the primary act is one of discovering lie upon lie upon lie.  You will end up in very small company, as few can face the truth.  The truth is the destroyer of worlds.  Coming to terms with the fact that most "can't handle the truth" is the toughest part of discovering the truth. Yet there it is.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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