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Even when you err, it is a thousand times better to err out of conviction than to hide your true opinion to respect some authority.
Houston Stewart Chamberlain
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Interpretation

What this quote means

It's better to express your genuine beliefs, even if they're wrong, than to suppress them to please others.

This quote emphasizes the importance of authenticity and personal conviction in one’s beliefs and opinions. It suggests that making mistakes while being true to oneself is far more valuable than conforming to societal pressures or authority figures by hiding one’s true thoughts. By advocating for honesty and integrity, it promotes the idea that personal growth and understanding can arise from our errors and misunderstandings.

Themes

AuthenticityConvictionOpinionAuthorityTruth

In practice

Example use cases

During a debate, you can quote this to emphasize the importance of standing by your beliefs.

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Quote by Houston Stewart Chamberlain | QuoteProject