Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"Few things have done more harm than the belief on the part of individuals or groups (or tribes or states or nations or churches) that he or she or they are in sole possession of the truth: especially about how to live, what to be & do -- & that those who differ from them are not merely mistaken, but wicked or mad: & need restraining or suppressing. It is a terrible and dangerous arrogance to believe that you alone are right: have a magical eye which sees the truth: & that others cannot be right if they disagree." -- Isaiah Berlin, in Notes on Prejudice, a manuscript written in 1981 as reference notes for a friend's lecture.

(From the Quotation of the Day mailing list, 2003-11-26. Submitted to the list by Terry Labach.)