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Inquiry Quotes

Sayings on questioning, doubt, and the pursuit of truth

These Inquiry quotes weigh the value of asking questions against the comfort of certainty. See Certainty Quotes for a closely related contrast.

Inquiry is fatal to certainty.

Quotes by Will Durant

It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.

Quotes by Thomas Paine

There is much in the result of John Chilcot's seven-year inquiry into the decision-making that led to Britain's involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq that can be cited to excuse headlines that refer to his findings as 'scathing' and...

Quotes by Terry Glavin

An experienced reader uses the poem as an agent of inquiry. This makes poetry very exciting, unstable, and interactive.

Quotes by John Barton

Appalled Quotes

Doubt is the incentive to truth and inquiry leads the way.

Quotes by Hosea Ballou

National languages are all huge systems of vested interests which sullenly resist critical inquiry.

Quotes by Edward Sapir

True science is never speculative; it employs hypotheses as suggesting points for inquiry, but it never adopts the hypotheses as though they were demonstrated propositions.

Quotes by Cleveland Abbe

Doubt comes in at the window when inquiry is denied at the door.

Quotes by Benjamin Jowett

Trial. A formal inquiry designed to prove and put upon record the blameless characters of judges, advocates and jurors.

Quotes by Ambrose Bierce

Blameless Quotes

If a psychiatric and scientific inquiry were to be made upon our rulers, mankind would be appalled at the disclosures.

Quotes by Alfred Korzybski

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the central idea across these Inquiry quotes?
Most weigh the value of asking questions against the comfort of certainty, suggesting curiosity often threatens easy answers.
Is a real public inquiry mentioned?
Yes, one quote references the findings of a well-known, years-long public inquiry, discussed here factually and without bias.
Do any quotes relate inquiry to literature?
Yes, one describes how an experienced reader treats a poem as a tool for inquiry, making the reading process more active.
Does inquiry always lead to truth in these quotes?
One suggests the opposite is more common, that only error, not truth, tends to shrink away from being questioned.
Where can I find related quotes on certainty?
Browse Certainty Quotes for more on doubt and conviction.

One quote references a real public inquiry's findings in a factual, non-partisan way, without taking sides. Explore Cited Quotes for more on evidence and reference.