i
We can neither define what we mean by truth nor be in doubt as to our
meaning. And this I suppose must be due to the antiquity of the instinct
that, on the whole, directs us towards truth. We cannot self-vivisect
ourselves in respect of such a vital function, though we can discharge it
normally and easily enough so long as we do not think about it.
ii
The pursuit of truth is chimerical. That is why it is so hard to say
what truth is. There is no permanent absolute unchangeable truth; what
we should pursue is the most convenient arrangement of our ideas.
iii
There is no such source of error as the pursuit of absolute truth.
iv
A. B. was so impressed with the greatness and certain ultimate victory of
truth that he considered it unnecessary to encourage her or do anything
to defend her.
v
He who can best read men best knows all truth that need concern him; for
it is not what the thing is, apart from man’s thoughts in respect of it,
but how to reach the fairest compromise between men’s past and future
opinions that is the fittest object of consideration; and this we get by
reading men and women.
vi
Truth should not be absolutely lost sight of, but it should not be talked
about.
vii
Some men love truth so much that they seem to be in continual fear lest
she should catch cold on over-exposure.
viii
The firmest line that can be drawn upon the smoothest paper has still
jagged edges if seen through a microscope. This does not matter until
important deductions are made on the supposition that there are no jagged
edges.
ix
Truth should never be allowed to become extreme; otherwise it will be apt
to meet and to run into the extreme of falsehood. It should be played
pretty low down—to the pit and gallery rather than the stalls. Pit-truth
is more true to the stalls than stall-truth to the pit.
x
An absolute lie may live—for it is a true lie, and is saved by being
flecked with a grain of its opposite. Not so absolute truth.
xi
Whenever we push truth hard she runs to earth in contradiction in terms,
that is to say, in falsehood. An essential contradiction in terms meets
us at the end of every enquiry.
xii
In _Alps and Sanctuaries_ (Chapter V) I implied that I was lying when I
told the novice that Handel was a Catholic. But I was not lying; Handel
was a Catholic, and so am I, and so is every well-disposed person. It
shows how careful we ought to be when we lie—we can never be sure but
what we may be speaking the truth.
xiii
Perhaps a little bit of absolute truth on any one question might prove a
general solvent, and dissipate the universe.
xiv
Truth generally is kindness, but where the two diverge or collide,
kindness should override truth.