Ask a man which way he is going to vote, and he will probably tell you. Ask him, however, why, and vagueness is all.
Bernard LevinRead
No amount of manifest absurdity... could deter those who wanted to believe from believing.
Interpretation
People will cling to their beliefs regardless of contradictory evidence.
This quote reflects on the human tendency to hold onto beliefs even in the face of clear evidence that those beliefs might be irrational or absurd. It highlights the power of conviction and faith, suggesting that the desire to believe can overcome logic and reason.
In practice
In a discussion about the power of faith, this quote can illustrate how beliefs endure despite evidence to the contrary.
Ask a man which way he is going to vote, and he will probably tell you. Ask him, however, why, and vagueness is all.
What has happened to architecture since the second world war that the only passers-by who can contemplate it without pain are those equipped with a white stick and a dog?
If we expected self-reliance of family groups, if we expected hardiness and resilience and initiative on the part of individuals, and if we rewarded initiative instead of dependence on government, we would not only ameliorate many of the family-related social problems we see at present, but we would also reduce our vulnerability to terrorism. People who are hardy, resilient, and self reliant are a lot harder to terrorize.
At the back of it there lies the central citadel of obstinacy: I will not give up my right to myself--the thing God intends you to give up if ever you are going to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
We all have our time machines. Some take us back, they're called memories. Some take us forward, they're called dreams.
Once you understand non-self, then the burden of life is gone. You'll be at peace with the world. When we see beyond self, we no longer cling to happiness and we can truly be happy. Learn to let go without struggle, simply let go, to be just as you are - no holding on, no attachment, free.
People who don't see their nature and imagine they can practice thoughtlessness all the time are lairs and fools.
You think that just because it's already happened, the past is finished and unchangeable? Oh no, the past is cloaked in multicolored taffeta and every time we look at it we see a different hue.
[Religion is] the attempt to be in harmony with an unseen order of things.
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