Idealism is what precedes experience; cynicism is what follows.

Idealism is what precedes experience; cynicism is what follows.

Large skepticism leads to large understanding. Small skepticism
leads to small understanding. No skepticism leads to no
understanding.

Large skepticism leads to large understanding. Small skepticism
leads to small understanding. No skepticism leads to no
understanding.

Cynicism is the intellectual cripple's substitute for intelligence.

Cynicism is the intellectual cripple's substitute for intelligence.

Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy

Skepticism is the first step on the road to philosophy

A cynic can chill and dishearten with a single word

A cynic can chill and dishearten with a single word

For the skeptic there remains only one consolation: if there should be such a thing as superhuman law it is read more

For the skeptic there remains only one consolation: if there should be such a thing as superhuman law it is administered with subhuman inefficiency.

The skeptic does not mean him who doubts, but him who investigates or researches, as opposed to him who asserts read more

The skeptic does not mean him who doubts, but him who investigates or researches, as opposed to him who asserts and thinks that he has found

The cynics are right nine times out of ten.

The cynics are right nine times out of ten.

Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and it is shameful to surrender it too soon or to the first read more

Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and it is shameful to surrender it too soon or to the first comer: there is nobility in preserving it coolly and proudly through long youth, until at last, in the ripeness of instinct and discretion, it ca