In religion and politics people’s beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination, from authorities who have not themselves examined the questions at issue but have taken them at second-hand from other non-examiners, whose opinions about them were not worth a brass farthing. Mark Twain
About This Quote

In religion and politics people’s beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second-hand, and without examination, from authorities who have not themselves examined the questions at issue but have taken them at second-hand from other non-examiners, whose opinions about them were not worth a brass farthing. In this quote by Benjamin Franklin, he is making a point about how our beliefs are mostly based on hearsay and not based on personal experience. In fact, as adults, we tend to believe what we have been taught or what we have been told by someone else. We don’t have to do any research or think for ourselves. However, as adults we should start thinking for ourselves so that we can understand the world around us, not just accept it blindly.

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More Quotes By Mark Twain
  1. After all these years, I see that I was mistaken about Eve in the beginning; it is better to live outside the Garden with her than inside it without her.
  2. When you fish for love, bait with your heart, not your brain.
  3. Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.
  4. The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.
  5. Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone you may still exist, but you have ceased to live.
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