Ten Precepts for Freedom of Thought

• Do not feel absolutely certain of anything.


• Do not think it is worthwhile to proceed by concealing evidence, for the evidence is sure to come to light.


• Never try to discourage thinking, for you are sure to succeed.


• When you meet with opposition, even if it should be from your partner or your children, endeavour to overcome it by argument and not by authority, for a victory dependent upon authority is unreal and illusory.


• Have no respect for the authority of others, for there are always contrary authorities to be found.


• Do not use power to suppress opinions you think pernicious, for if you do the opinions will suppress you.


• Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.


• Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent than in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter.


• Be scrupulously truthful, even if the truth is inconvenient, for it is more inconvenient when you try to conceal it.


• Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool’s paradise, for only a fool will think that it is happiness.

--Bertrand Russell, whom I once dismissed too quickly.