On the recordJanuary 1, 1791
It might be said, that until men think for themselves the whole is prejudice, and not opinion; for that only is opinion which is the result of reason and reflection.
Said by
Thomas Paine
Source
gutenberg.orgIt might be said, that until men think for themselves the whole is prejudice, and not opinion; for that only is opinion which is the result of reason and reflection.
In "Rights of Man," this passage defines true opinion as the product of reason and reflection, contrasting it with prejudice that exists until individuals think for themselves.
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