“In all matters of opinion, our adversaries are insane.”

—  Oscar Wilde

Last update Sept. 27, 2023. History

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Irish writer and poet 1854–1900

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“The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane.”

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Context: When I, a thoughtful and unblessed Presbyterian, examine the Koran, I know that beyond any question every Mohammedan is insane; not in all things, but in religious matters. When a thoughtful and unblessed Mohammedan examines the Westminster Catechism, he knows that beyond any question I am spiritually insane. I cannot prove to him that he is insane, because you never can prove anything to a lunatic — for that is a part of his insanity and the evidence of it. He cannot prove to me that I am insane, for my mind has the same defect that afflicts his. All Democrats are insane, but not one of them knows it; none but the Republicans and Mugwumps know it. All the Republicans are insane, but only the Democrats and Mugwumps can perceive it. The rule is perfect: in all matters of opinion our adversaries are insane.

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“Maternity," it has been said, "is a matter of fact, paternity is a matter of opinion.”

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Ch. 4, Nation Making http://books.google.com/books?id=1ANBAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Maternity+it+has+been+said+is+a+matter+of+fact+paternity+is+a+matter+of+opinion%22&pg=PA122#v=onepage
Physics and Politics https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4350 (1869)

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“It used to be, everyone was entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. But that's not the case anymore. Facts matter not at all. Perception is everything. It's certainty.”

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AV Club interview http://www.avclub.com/article/stephen-colbert-13970, (25 January 2006)
Context: Truthiness is tearing apart our country, and I don't mean the argument over who came up with the word. I don't know whether it's a new thing, but it's certainly a current thing, in that it doesn't seem to matter what facts are. It used to be, everyone was entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. But that's not the case anymore. Facts matter not at all. Perception is everything. It's certainty. People love the president because he's certain of his choices as a leader, even if the facts that back him up don't seem to exist. It's the fact that he's certain that is very appealing to a certain section of the country. I really feel a dichotomy in the American populace. What is important? What you want to be true, or what is true?

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“All the opinions in the world point out that pleasure is our aim.”

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