I will follow my logic, no matter where it goes, after it has consulted with my heart. If you ever come to a conclusion without calling the heart in, you will come to a bad conclusion.
Robert Green IngersollRead
The church hates a thinker precisely for the same reason a robber dislikes a sheriff, or a thief despises the prosecuting witness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that institutions often fear critical thinkers who challenge their authority.
In this quote, Robert Green Ingersoll compares the disdain that institutions like the church hold towards thinkers to the animosity a robber has towards law enforcement. It highlights the idea that those in power or in authority may view critical thinking as a threat, as it challenges their established beliefs and practices, much like criminals dislike those who expose their wrongdoings. The analogy underlines the tension between free thought and institutional control, emphasizing that questioning and intellectual inquiry can be seen as dangerous to those who prefer to maintain the status quo.
Themes
ThinkerChurchAuthorityCritical ThinkingIntellectual Inquiry
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion on the importance of free speech in academic institutions.
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