“We become obsessed with 'truth' when discussing statements, just as we become obsessed with 'freedom' when discussing conduct…Like freedom, truth is a bare minimum or an illusory ideal.”

— J. L. Austin

Source: Philosophical Papers (1979), p. 130.

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J. L. Austin 23

English philosopher 1911–1960

Dennis O'Driscoll (1954–2012) Irish poet, critic

Poetry Quotes

“In order to properly understand the big picture, everyone should fear becoming mentally clouded and obsessed with one small section of truth.”

Xun Zi (-313–-238 BC) Ancient Chinese philosopher

Quoted in: Joan Klostermann-Ketels (2011) HumaniTrees, p. 96.

“Truth and freedom are inextricably connected. We must speak the truth because otherwise we shall lose our freedom.”

Geert Wilders (1963) Dutch politician

Closing remarks in court https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGIbb8rY7hQ&feature=youtu.be (1 June 2011)
2010s

“As a people we have become obsessed with Health. There is something fundamentally, radically unhealthy about all this.”

Lewis Thomas (1913–1993) American physician, poet and educator

"The Health-Care System", p. 47
The Medusa and the Snail: More Notes of a Biology Watcher (1979)
Context: As a people we have become obsessed with Health. There is something fundamentally, radically unhealthy about all this. We do not seem to be seeking more exuberance in living as much as staving off failure, putting off dying. We have lost all confidence in the human body.