Time tries truth.
—Common Proverb
The ultimate test of what a truth means is the conduct it dictates or inspires.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Chase after the truth like all hell and you’ll free yourself, even though you never touch its coat-tails.
—Clarence Darrow (1857–1938) American Civil Liberties Lawyer
The words of truth are always paradoxical.
—Laozi (fl.6th Century BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Sage
Whatever has a mystery thrown round it causes the truth to appear more grand and awful.
—Francis Thompson (1859–1907) English Poet, Ascetic
Truth can hardly be expected to adapt herself to the crooked policy and wily sinuosities of worldly affairs; for truth, like light, travels only in straight lines!
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
Truth is established by investigation and delay; falsehood prospers by precipitancy.
—Tacitus (56–117) Roman Orator, Historian
In the beginning when the world was young there were a great many thoughts but no such thing as truth. Man made the truths himself and each truth was a composite of a great many vague thoughts. All about in the world were truths and they were all beautiful.
—Sherwood Anderson (1876–1941) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Do not be angry with me if I tell you the truth
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
The dissident does not operate in the realm of genuine power at all. He is not seeking power. He has no desire for office and does not gather votes. He does not attempt to charm the public, he offers nothing and promises nothing. He can offer, if anything, only his own skin—and he offers it solely because he has no other way of affirming the truth he stands for. His actions simply articulate his dignity as a citizen, regardless of the cost.
—Vaclav Havel (1936–2011) Czech Dramatist, Statesman
The trouble with too many people is they believe the realm of truth always lies within their vision.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Pretty much all the honest truth-telling there is in the world is done by children.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1809–94) American Physician, Essayist
It’s essential to tell the truth at all times. This will reduce life’s pain. Lying distorts reality. All forms of distorted thinking must be corrected.
—John Bradshaw (1933–2016) American Motivational Speaker
Sincerity is not a test of truth. We must not make this mistake: He must be right; he’s so sincere. Because, it is possible to be sincerely wrong. We can only judge truth by truth and sincerity by sincerity.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
A half truth is a whole lie.
—Yiddish Proverb
We do not condemn the preachers as an individual but we condemn what they teach. We urge that the preachers teach the truth, to teach our people the one important guiding rule of conduct—unity of purpose.
—Malcolm X (1925–65) American Civil Rights Leader
Science is the search for truth – it is not a game in which one tries to beat his opponent, to do harm to others. We need to have the spirit of science in international affairs, to make the conduct of international affairs the effort to find t he right solution, the just solution of international problems, not the effort by each nation to get the better of other nations, to do harm to them when it is possible.
—Linus Pauling (1901–94) American Scientist, Peace Activist
The spirit of truth and the spirit of freedom-they are the pillars of society.
—Henrik Ibsen (1828–1906) Norwegian Playwright
The man who speaks the truth is always at ease.
—Persian Proverb
I cannot give any scientist of any age better advice than this: the intensity of a conviction that a hypothesis is true has no bearing over whether it is true or not.
—Peter Medawar (1915–87) British Zoologist, Immunologist
Men stumble over the truth from time to time, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing happened.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Truth can never be told so as to be understood and not be believed.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
What is true is true, and what is false is false…
—Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772) Swedish Mystic, Theologian, Scientist
The search for truth is more precious than its possession.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
The idea that truth always triumphs over persecution is one of those pleasant falsehoods, which most experience refutes. History is teeming with instances of truth put down by persecution. If not put down forever, it may be set back for centuries.
—John Stuart Mill (1806–73) English Philosopher, Economist
Without seeking, truth cannot be known at all. It can neither be declared from pulpits, nor set down in articles, nor in any wise prepared and sold in packages ready for use. Truth must be ground for every man by himself out of its husk, with such help as he can get, indeed, but not without stern labor of his own.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
There is no God higher than truth.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
A man may be in as just possession of truth as of a city, and yet be forced to surrender.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician
Let your desire for truth transcend all minor considerations. Ignorance is invariably confident. The man of knowledge learns to realize his own needs. Be honest and severe in your self-appraisal. Learn the art of learning, and you are well on the way to achievement. True greatness is reflective, not assertive.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
Mystical explanations are considered deep. The truth is that they are not even superficial.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer