Doubt is the father of invention.

—Ambrose Bierce

doubt invention skepticism

About Ambrose Bierce

Portrait of Ambrose Bierce

Ambrose Gwinnett Bierce (June 24, 1842 – c. 1914) was an American author, journalist, and poet. A prolific and versatile writer, Bierce was regarded as one of the most influential journalists in the United States and as a pioneering writer of realist fiction. For his horror writing, Michael Dirda ranked...

More quotations from Ambrose Bierce

Painting: The art of protecting flat surfaces from the weather and exposing them to the critic.

—Ambrose Bierce

Acquaintance, n.: A person whom we know well enough to borrow from, but not well enough to lend to.

—Ambrose Bierce

Spring beckons! All things to the call respond; the trees are leaving and cashiers abscond.

—Ambrose Bierce

Admiration, n.: Our polite recognition of another's resemblance to ourselves.

—Ambrose Bierce

Absurdity, n.: A statement or belief manifestly inconsistent with one's own opinion.

—Ambrose Bierce

opinion belief absurdity

More quotations tagged with “skepticism”

The skepticism of youth signals the beginning of a search for something actually worth trusting, both within one's own psyche and in the world. That's why teens, supposedly stuck in life's lost years, are often so unequivocal about what they love and what they hate, and so frustrated when they feel misunderstood. The adolescent spirit is not the spirit of the lost. It is the conviction that you are not lost—that wandering has a purpose, and that what you deserve more than anything is the freedom to walk awhile on your own path.

understanding love hate purpose youth trust skepticism conviction

Skepticism, like chastity, should not be relinquished too readily.

—George Santayana

How many people here have telekenetic powers? Raise my hand.

power supernatural skepticism

It is supposed to be part of the American tradition that if we want to step out of line, we step out of line. Democracy isn't falling in line behind the president. Democracy is for people to think independently, be skeptical of government, look around and try to find out what's going on. And if they find out that government is deceiving them, to speak out as loudly as they can.

politics power democracy government protest America skepticism

The crucial disadvantage of aggression, competitiveness, and skepticism as national characteristics is that these qualities cannot be turned off at five o'clock.

—Margaret Halsey

aggression skepticism competion

History

30 Jun 2019 Added