“I believe that people believe what they believe they believe.”

“I believe in using words, not fists… I believe in my outrage knowing people are living in boxes on the street. I believe in honesty. I believe in a good time. I believe in good food. I believe in sex.”

Bertrand Russell (1872–1970) logician, one of the first analytic philosophers and political activist

“People don't believe what you tell them.
They rarely believe what you show them.
They often believe what their friends tell them.
They always believe what they tell themselves.”

Seth Godin (1960) American entrepreneur, author and public speaker

“It is characteristic of theistic "tolerance" that no one really cares what the people believe in, just so they believe or pretend to believe.”

Emma Goldman (1868–1940) anarchist known for her political activism, writing, and speeches

“Weak people believe what is forced on them. Strong people what they wish to believe, forcing that to be real.”

Gene Wolfe (1931–2019) American science fiction and fantasy writer

“I believe what I believe is what makes me what I am”

Rich Mullins (1955–1997) American christian musician

“You are so intent that you believe only what you believe that you believe, that you remain utterly blind to what you really believe without believing that you believe it.”

Orson Scott Card Ender's Game hexalogy

“People must believe what they can, and those who believe more must not be hard upon those who believe less. I doubt if you would have believed it all yourself if you hadn't seen some of it.”

George MacDonald book The Princess and the Goblin

“I may not believe in myself, but I believe in what I'm doing.”

Jimmy Page (1944) British guitarist of Led Zeppelin

“I do not believe he believes what he is saying.”

Jerry Brown (1938) American politician/lawyer and current governor of California