"We own almost all our knowledge not to those who have agreed but to those who have differed"
- Charles Caleb Colton
About this Quote
This quote by Charles Caleb Colton speaks to the value of difference and dissent in the pursuit of understanding. He suggests that it is not those who agree with us that assist us to discover and grow, however rather those who challenge our beliefs and opinions. By engaging in debate and conversation with those who have various perspectives, we have the ability to acquire a deeper understanding of the world around us. This quote motivates us to seek out and accept various points of view, as it is only through this process that we can truly broaden our knowledge. Colton's words advise us that knowledge is not something that can be obtained through arrangement, but rather through the exchange of concepts and the willingness to challenge our own beliefs.
"A lawyer without history or literature is a mechanic, a mere working mason; if he possesses some knowledge of these, he may venture to call himself an architect"