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

—  Walter Bagehot

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)

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "Maternity," it has been said, "is a matter of fact, paternity is a matter of opinion." by Walter Bagehot?
Walter Bagehot photo
Walter Bagehot 42
British journalist, businessman, and essayist 1826–1877

Related quotes

Oscar Wilde photo

“Truth, in the matters of religion, is simply the opinion that has survived.”

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish writer and poet

The Critic as Artist (1891), Part I

Stephen Colbert photo

“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.”

Stephen Colbert (1964) American political satirist, writer, comedian, television host, and actor

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?

Sandra Fluke photo

“The fact of the matter is the President was expressing his support for her, and his disappointment in the kind of attacks that have been leveled at her to her, and his appreciation for her willingness to stand tall and express her opinion.”

Sandra Fluke (1981) American women's rights activist and lawyer

About, The White House, White House Press Secretary

Albert Einstein photo

“Concerning matter, we have been all wrong. What we have called matter is energy, whose vibration has been so lowered as to be perceptible to the senses. There is no matter.”

Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born physicist and founder of the theory of relativity
Julia Gillard photo

“Will the misogynists and the nut jobs on the internet continue to circulate them? Yes, they will. And it wouldn't matter what I said and it wouldn't matter what documents were produced and it wouldn't matter what anybody else said, they will pursue this claim for motivations of their own which are malicious and not in any way associated with the facts.”

Julia Gillard (1961) Australian politician and lawyer, 27th Prime Minister of Australia

In a press conference where she addressed accusations of improprierty during her tenure as a Slater & Gordon lawyer
"Prime Minister Gillard responds to accusations" http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2012/s3574703.htm, in 7.30 (ABC), 23 August 2012

Terence photo

“In fact, nothing is said that has not been said before.”
Nullumst iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius.

Terence Eunuchus

Nullum est iam dictum quod non dictum sit prius.
Prologue, Line 41.
Variant translation: Nothing has yet been said that’s not been said before.
Eunuchus

Oscar Wilde photo

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

Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) Irish writer and poet
Julien Offray de La Mettrie photo

“[B]efore Descartes, some of the ancients made the essence of matter consist in solid extension. But this opinion, of which all the Cartesians have made much, has at all times been victoriously combated…”

Julien Offray de La Mettrie (1709–1751) French physician and philosopher

Source: The Natural History of the Soul (1745), Ch. III Concerning the Extension of Matter

“As a matter of fact, she has refused to marry me.”
“So when's the wedding?” Ramsey asked.”

Julie Garwood (1946) American writer

Source: Ransom

Mark Twain photo

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

Mark Twain Christian Science

Christian Science (1907)
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.

Related topics