Opinions

I think most of the people involved in any art always secretly wonder whether they are really there because they're read more

I think most of the people involved in any art always secretly wonder whether they are really there because they're good or there because they're lucky.

One should respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, read more

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

New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.

New opinions are always suspected, and usually opposed, without any other reason but because they are not already common.

I have opinions of my own - strong opinions - but I don't always agree with them

I have opinions of my own - strong opinions - but I don't always agree with them

This is the test of your manhood: How much is there left in you after you have lost everything outside read more

This is the test of your manhood: How much is there left in you after you have lost everything outside of yourself?

And it's my opinion, and that's only my opinion, you are a lunatic. Just because there are a few hundred read more

And it's my opinion, and that's only my opinion, you are a lunatic. Just because there are a few hundred other people sharing your lunacy with you does not make you any saner. Doomed, eh?

It is just that we should be grateful, not only to those with whose views we may agree, but also read more

It is just that we should be grateful, not only to those with whose views we may agree, but also to those who have expressed more superficial views; for these also contributed something, by developing before us the powers of thought.

If a man isn't willing to take some risk for his opinions, either his opinions are no good or he's read more

If a man isn't willing to take some risk for his opinions, either his opinions are no good or he's no good

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

I never make the mistake of arguing with people for whose opinions I have no respect.

Men commonly think according to their inclinations, speak according to their learning and imbibed opinions, but generally act according to read more

Men commonly think according to their inclinations, speak according to their learning and imbibed opinions, but generally act according to custom