Quote by Thomas Carlyle
Scepticism, as I said, is not intellectual only; it is moral also; a chronic atrophy and disease of the whole soul. A man lives by believing something; not by debating and arguing about many things. A sad case for him when all that he can manage to believe is something he can button in his pocket, and with one or the other organ eat and digest! Lower than that he will not get.
Summary
This quote highlights the idea that scepticism is not just a matter of intellectual doubt, but also a moral condition. It suggests that a person's entire being is afflicted when they consistently question and doubt everything without belief. Instead, the quote posits that true fulfillment and purpose in life comes from actively believing in something, rather than spending one's time constantly debating and arguing. It presents a rather pessimistic view of someone who can only manage to believe in something small and mundane that they can easily possess or consume, implying that such a limited belief system is ultimately unsatisfying and insufficient.
Topics
Argument & Debate
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