Quotation by

William James

Truth lives, in fact, for the most part on a credit system. Our thoughts and beliefs pass, so long as nothing challenges them, just as bank-notes pass so long as nobody refuses them.

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Understanding this quote AI Analysis

William James is saying that our ideas and beliefs are accepted as true mainly because people continue to trust and accept them without question. However, if those ideas are challenged or doubted, their acceptance can quickly disappear, just like money loses value if people stop accepting it.

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Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth.
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I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right, temporarily defeated, is stronger than evil triumphant.
I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts.