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Quotations about willful ignorance
Note that not all quotations have been tagged, so the Search function may find additional quotations on this topic.
The truth which makes men free is for the most part the truth which men prefer not to hear.
Herbert Agar (1897-1980) American journalist and historian
A Time for Greatness, ch. 7 (1942)
Cf. John 8:32.
But freedom isn’t free. It shouldn’t be a bragging point that, “Oh, I don’t get involved in politics,” as if that makes someone cleaner. No, that makes you derelict of duty in a republic. Liars and panderers in government would have a much harder time of it if so many people didn’t insist on their right to remain ignorant and blindly agreeable.
William "Bill" Maher (b. 1956) American comedian, political commentator, critic, television host.
When You Ride Alone You Ride With Bin Laden (2002)
We lie to ourselves, in order that we may still have the excuse of ignorance, the alibi of stupidity and incomprehension, possessing which we can continue with a good conscience to commit and tolerate the most monstrous crimes.
Aldous Huxley (1894-1963) English novelist, essayist and critic
“Words and Behavior,” The Olive Tree and Other Essays (1936)
Now the trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed.
C.S. Lewis (1898-1963) English writer and scholar [Clive Staples Lewis]
The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
A person who won’t read has no advantage over one who can’t read.
Mark Twain (1835-1910) American writer [pseud. of Samuel Clemens]
(Spurious)
First attributed to Twain in 1945, but not found in his works. Earliest appearances of the quote date back to 1910, but are unattributed. It's often attributed to Abigail Van Buren (Dear Abby), but she didn't say it until 1966. See here for more information. Variants:
- "Who can see the barely perceptible line between the man who can not read at all and the man who does not read at all? The literate who can, but does not, read, and the illiterate who neither does nor can? [Original form.]
- "The person who does not read has no advantage over the person who cannot read." ["Dear Abby", 19 Oct 1966]
- "The man who doesn't read good books has no advantage over the man who can't read them."
Who is so deafe, or so blynde, as is hee,
That wilfully will nother heare nor see?[Who is so deaf, or so blind, as is he,
That willfully will neither hear nor see?]John Heywood (1497?-1580?) English playwright and epigrammist
Dialogue of Proverbes, Part 2, ch. 9 (1546)
A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance when the need for illusion is deep.
