“5115. 'Tis Self-Conceit, that makes Opinion obstinate.”
Introductio ad prudentiam: Part II (1727), Gnomologia (1732)
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Thomas Fuller (writer)420
British physician, preacher, and intellectual 1654–1734Related quotes
“The prejudiced and obstinate man does not so much hold opinions, as his opinions hold him.”
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Variant: Talent is God-given; be humble. Fame is man-given; be thankful. Conceit is self-given; be careful.
“Stupid people, people who do not know how to laugh, are always pompous and self-conceited.”
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Sketches and Travels in London; Mr. Brown's Letters to His Nephew: "On Love, Marriage, Men and Women" (1856).
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Matthew Arnold (1822–1888) English poet and cultural critic who worked as an inspector of schools
Preface to the Second Edition (1869)
Essays in Criticism (1865)
Context: It is not in my nature, some of my critics would rather say, not in my power, to dispute on behalf of any opinion, even my own, very obstinately. To try and approach truth on one side after another, not to strive or cry, nor to persist in pressing forward, on any one side, with violence and self-will, — it is only thus, it seems to me, that mortals may hope to gain any vision of the mysterious Goddess, whom we shall never see except in outline, but only thus even in outline. He who will do nothing but fight impetuously towards her on his own, one, favourite, particular line, is inevitably destined to run his head into the folds of the black robe in which she is wrapped.
“Sophistry is only fit to make men more conceited in their ignorance.”
John Locke (1632–1704) English philosopher and physician