It is not the facts which guide the conduct of men, but their opinions about facts; which may be entirely wrong. We can only make them right by discussion.
Interpretation
People are driven by their perceptions of facts rather than by facts themselves, and discussion is key to correcting misunderstandings.
In this quote, Norman Angell highlights the importance of subjective perceptions over objective reality in shaping human behavior. He emphasizes that individuals act based on their opinions about facts, which can often be incorrect; thus, engaging in open discussions is essential to rectify these misunderstandings and align opinions with reality.
In practice
In a debate on social media, one might use this quote to emphasize the need for dialogue to correct misconceptions.
Let us face squarely the paradox that the world which goes to war is a world, usually genuinely desiring peace. War is the outcome, not mainly of evil intentions, but on the whole of good intentions which miscarry or are frustrated. It is made not usually by evil men knowing themselves to be wrong, but is the outcome of policies pursued by good men usually passionately convinced that they are right.
Your house is your larger body.
Dear God, help me. Do not forget me on this tiny cinder lost in a galaxy that is lostβa heart no bigger than a speck of dust beating, beating against death, against meaninglessness, against guilt, against sorrow.
Adversity is the state in which man most easily becomes acquainted with himself, being especially free of admirers then.
I had the sense when I looked back over my life I would actually see a mess of decisions, a few of which I had thought about, some of which I had sort of stumbled on and many that I had no control over whatsoever.
Every day I go to my study and sit at my desk and put the computer on. At that moment, I have to open the door. It's a big, heavy door. You have to go into the Other Room. Metaphorically, of course. And you have to come back to this side of the room. And you have to shut the door.
It's a difficult competition against silence, because silence is a perfect language, the only language which says with no words.
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