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The real advantage which truth has, consists in this, that when an opinion is true, it may be extinguished once, twice, or many times, but in the course of ages there will generally be found persons to rediscover it
John Stuart Mill
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Truth may be forgotten or overlooked but will eventually be rediscovered over time.

This quote by John Stuart Mill emphasizes the enduring nature of truth, suggesting that even if a true opinion is dismissed or ignored at various points in history, it tends to resurface as individuals continue to seek and recognize genuine truths. Mill highlights the resilience of truth and the human pursuit of knowledge, suggesting that truths may be buried but are never completely lost.

Themes

TruthRediscoveryKnowledgeOpinionHistory

In practice

Example use cases

In a debate about historical events, one might use this quote to argue that the truth often emerges despite attempts to suppress it.

More from John Stuart Mill

The peculiar evil of silencing the expression of an opinion is, that it is robbing the human race; posterity as well as the existing generation; those who dissent from the opinion, still more than those who hold it. If the opinion is right, they are deprived of the opportunity of exchanging error for truth: if wrong, they lose, what is almost as great a benefit, the clearer perception and livelier impression of truth, produced by its collision with error.
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As for charity, it is a matter in which the immediate effect on the persons directly concerned, and the ultimate consequence to the general good, are apt to be at complete war with one another.
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To think that because those who wield power in society wield in the end that of government, therefore it is of no use to attempt to influence the constitution of the government by acting on opinion, is to forget that opinion is itself one of the greatest active social forces. One person with a belief is a social power equal to ninety-nine who have only interests.
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There should be perfect freedom, legal and social, to do the action and stand the consequences. It would be a great misunderstanding of this doctrine to suppose that it is one of selfish indifference, which pretends that human beings have no business with each other's conduct in life, and that they should not concern themselves about the well-doing or well-being of one another, unless their own interest is involved.
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Political Economy, in truth, has never pretended to give advice to mankind with no lights but its own; though people who knew nothing but political economy (and therefore knew it ill) have taken upon themselves to advise, and could only do so by such lights as they had.
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Marriage is the only actual bondage known to our law. There remain no legal slaves, except the mistress of every house.
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Quote by John Stuart Mill | QuoteProject