"Certitude is not the test of certainty. We have been cocksure of many things that were not so"

This quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. is a tip that we need to not be too confident in our beliefs. Certitude, or a feeling of outright certainty, is not a trustworthy sign of fact. We have actually been incorrect in the past when we were definitely sure of something, and this quote acts as a warning versus overconfidence. It is essential to remain open-minded and to question our beliefs, even if we feel certain about them. We need to not be too quick to dismiss alternative point of views, as we might be incorrect in our own convictions. This quote motivates us to be simple and to acknowledge that we might not always be right. It is important to stay open to new ideas and to be ready to alter our minds if we are presented with proof that contradicts our beliefs.