Confidence & Doubts

Trouble In The World

“The fundamental cause of trouble in the world today is that the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt”

– Bertrand Russell. (1975). Mortals and others: Bertrand Russell’s American essays, 1931-1935 (Harry Ruja, Ed.; Vol. 2). Allen and Unwin. pg 41

Misquotes

“The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.”

– Falsely attributed to Charles Bukowski

Unfounded Contempt

“This is not to be achieved by putting people in categories, nor yet by the faculty of intuition in which many people put their trust. A combination of the two is necessary but is not alone sufficient. What is most necessary of all is to avoid the cock-sureness that springs from an unfounded contempt.”

– Bertrand Russell. (1975). Mortals and others: Bertrand Russell’s American essays, 1931-1935 (Harry Ruja, Ed.; Vol. 1). Routledge. pg 289