To have doubted one's own first principles is the mark of a civilized man.

Quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr

Topics: Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr Quotes

Man's mind, stretched by a new idea, never goes back to its original dimensions.

Man's mind, stretched by a new idea, never goes back to its original dimensions.

Life is action and passion; therefore, it is required of a man that he should...

Life is action and passion; therefore, it is required of a man that he should...

People talk fundamentals and superlatives and then make some changes of detail.

People talk fundamentals and superlatives and then make some changes of detail.

A new and valid idea is worth more than a regiment and fewer men can...

A new and valid idea is worth more than a regiment and fewer men can...

There is no friend like an old friend who has shared our morning days, no...

There is no friend like an old friend who has shared our morning days, no...

Every event that a man would master must be mounted on the run, and no...

Every event that a man would master must be mounted on the run, and no...

The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins.

The right to swing my fist ends where the other man's nose begins.

Lawyers spend a great deal of their time shoveling smoke.

Lawyers spend a great deal of their time shoveling smoke.

Young man, the secret of my success is that an early age I discovered that...

Young man, the secret of my success is that an early age I discovered that...

A child's education should begin at least one hundred years before he is born.

A child's education should begin at least one hundred years before he is born.

We should be eternally vigilant against attempts to check the expression of opinions that we...

We should be eternally vigilant against attempts to check the expression of opinions that we...

This is a court of law, young man, not a court of justice.

This is a court of law, young man, not a court of justice.

The rule of joy and the law of duty seem to me all one.

The rule of joy and the law of duty seem to me all one.

This is a court of law, young man, not a court of justice.

This is a court of law, young man, not a court of justice.

Any two philosophers can tell each other all they know in two hours.

Any two philosophers can tell each other all they know in two hours.

Don't be 'consistent,' but be simply true.

Don't be 'consistent,' but be simply true.

Life is an end in itself, and the only question as to whether it is...

Life is an end in itself, and the only question as to whether it is...

The mind of a bigot is like the pupil of the eye. The more light...

The mind of a bigot is like the pupil of the eye. The more light...

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at the touch, nay, you...

Truth is tough. It will not break, like a bubble, at the touch, nay, you...

Most of the things we do, we do for no better reason than that our...

Most of the things we do, we do for no better reason than that our...