I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.
—Edward Gibbon (1737–94) English Historian, Politician
To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical.
—Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826) American Head of State, Lawyer
We credit scarcely any persons with good sense except those who are of our opinion.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
If you want to know your true opinion of someone, watch the effect produced in you by the first sight of a letter from him.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
Don’t be swayed just because they say it’s public opinion. Remember, public opinion is simple what everybody else thinks.
—Unknown
Opinion of ghosts, ignorance of second causes, devotion to what men fear, and talking of things casual for prognostics, consisteth the natural seeds of religion
—Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) English Political Philosopher
Man is a gregarious animal, and much more so in his mind than in his body. He may like to go alone for a walk, but he hates to stand alone in his opinions.
—George Santayana (1863–1952) Spanish-American Poet, Philosopher
It rarely adds anything to say, “In my opinion”—not even modesty. Naturally a sentence is only your opinion; and you are not the Pope.
—Paul Goodman (1911–72) American Novelist, Essayist
People talk fundamentals and superlatives and then make some changes of detail.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841–1935) American Jurist, Author
Force is the queen of the world and not opinion; but opinion is that which makes use of force.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
In my opinion a mathematician need not preoccupy himself with philosophy—An opinion, moreover, which has been expressed by many philosophers.
—Indian Proverb
The deadliest contagion is majority opinion.
—Indian Proverb
Public opinion is held in reverence. It settles everything. Some think it is the voice of God.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
I am not one of those who in expressing opinions confine themselves to facts.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Well, my deliberate opinion is – it’s a jolly strange world.
—Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) British Novelist, Playwright, Critic
Popular opinion is the greatest lie in the world.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
So many men, so many opinions.
—Terence (c.195–159 BCE) Roman Comic Dramatist
It were not best that we should all think alike; it is difference of opinion that makes horse races.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
A man who trims himself to suit everybody will soon whittle himself away.
—Charles M. Schwab (1862–1939) American Businessperson
Arguments only confirm people in their own opinions.
—Booth Tarkington (1869–1946) American Novelist, Dramatist
History is a voice forever sounding across the centuries the laws of right and wrong. Opinions alter, manners change, creeds rise and fall, but the moral law is written on the tablets of eternity. For every false word or unrighteous deed, for cruelty and oppression, for lust or vanity, the price has to be paid at last.
—James Anthony Froude (1818–94) British Historian, Novelist, Biographer, Editor
I have remarked very clearly that I am often of one opinion when I am lying down and of another when I am standing up…
—Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742–99) German Philosopher, Physicist
Men are disturbed not by things that happen, but by their opinion of the things that happen.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
The opinion prevailed among advanced minds that it was time that belief should be replaced increasingly by knowledge; belief that did not itself rest on knowledge was superstition, and as such had to be opposed.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them!
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer
Broad-minded is just another way of saying a fellow is too lazy to form an opinion.
—Will Rogers (1879–1935) American Actor, Rancher, Humorist
What we have to do is to be forever curiously testing new opinions and courting new impressions.
—Walter Pater (1839–94) English Critic, Essayist
Those who never retract their opinions love themselves more than they love the truth.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
One should respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
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