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Truth

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“It is commonly said that it was the Mahomedans whom the British displaced as rulers in India. This is true only in a restricted sense. It would be nearer the truth to say that it was the Mahrattas in the main, whom we displaced.”
Sir Richard Temple, 1st Baronet (1826–1902) first seen 1883 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Sir Richard Temple quoted in Vikram Sampath - Savarkar, Echoes from a Forgotten Past, 1883–1924 (2019)
“This is not a popular truth to say right now, in this time of moral hysteria and purity trials, but it remains true. The color of your skin does not guarantee virtue or vice. Rather, as King taught, and as the Bible teaches, it’s what’s in your heart. Jesus condemned the Pharisees as “whited sepulchres” — tombs that were gleaming on the outside, but that concealed foulness within.”
Rod Dreher (born 1967) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The search for Truth is not about running away from the things of this world but about understanding their ephemeral nature. And more than that, it is about discovering our true nature as an inherent stillness from where even the subtlest movements of phenomena are being perceived.”
Mooji (born 1954) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“God reveals the truth behind the languages of the Quran to those whom He loves and who are true Sufis.”
Abu Nasr as-Sarraj (died 988) said by 988 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“True theologians are saints: a recent and admirable example is Saint Thérèse of Lisieux, who reached a point of synthesis of all revealed truth and was proclaimed Doctor of the Church.”
Angelo Comastri (born 1943) first seen 1999 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Angelo Comastri, Tu sei Trinità, Paoline, 1999. ISBN 8831518321
“We may talk, but dialogue is not about one truth versus another. Fraternity is not about understanding who is wrong and who is right, but about discovering together how each one of us, through our respective faiths, can become true brothers and sisters.”
Jean-Paul Vesco (born 1962) first seen 2022 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Meeting of Mediterranean Bishops and Mayors. Msgr. Vesco (Algiers): “Fraternity is the only option” (18 February 2022)
“Our work proves that media depictions of the Green New Deal as a program for liberal elites could not be further from the truth. Here on the third coast, poor black, white, brown, and native people, small businesses, neighborhood associations, and regular folks from all walks of life are ready for a Green New Deal, and we know the same is true of people all across this country.”
Colette Pichon Battle wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think of being a Black journalist as being pro-truth, pro-accountability and succeeding the tradition of Black journalists who have pushed the industry on what that looks like. Also, racism isn’t true. It’s false. And so as a journalist, it’s worth it to me to expose it as false, not as spite toward any one political actor.”
Astead Herndon (born 1992) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Truth for the Communists is the position the Party takes. This holds true for values like art and ethics. We don’t need to explain this to people who have read books published by Communist Russia on these topics and sold at dirt cheap prices.”
S. L. Bhyrappa (1931–2025) said by 2025 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Fiction books are ones that have been made up. Perhaps some of their elements are based on hints of truth, but they have been elaborated, fabricated, and used to embellish into a true story.”
May Ifeoma Nwoye (born 1956) first seen 2017 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Prof Nwoye speak on fiction books in 2017.
“She remembered Aunty Bella Donna of the Champions once saying that no story was worth telling if no one could remember the lesson in it. These were stories that have made no difference to anyone. Old Aunty was fading away forever. But... even true stories have to be invented sometimes to be remembered. Ah! The truth was always forgotten. (p210)”
Alexis Wright (born 1950) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Honesty isn’t betrayal; it’s courage. Stop sugarcoating your experiences and allow the truth to free you. People often misrepresent their relationships and experiences because they’re too afraid to admit what’s true. But denial will keep you from breaking free from your past.”
Nedra Glover Tawwab wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Nothing binds men as closely as Truth and Virtue. Tito was compassionate and full of goodness; and Marcus Aurelius was educated and a true philosopher, that is, a friend of wisdom. He knew how to admire and imitate Titus, and together with virtue and science he combined the courage and genius of heroes, gods and great captains, as well as the art or qualities of great administrators. (p. 26)”
Ion Heliade Rădulescu (1802–1872) said by 1872 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In accordance with Heidegger, I put forward a historical position [mowghef]. Mankind is in a historical age when God is absent, the true God... Now, human is the Truth which is apparent, that, human is god, and the Greek taghut [idolatry] embodies the human. This is the humanism that I previously mentioned: humanism and human taghut [idolatry].”
Ahmad Fardid (1909–1994) said by 1994 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Ali Mirsepassi, Transnationalism in Iranian Political Thought: The Life and Times of Ahmad Fardid, Cambridge University Press (2017), p. 242.
“The great question which should determine the essential truth of any religion is the practical one, — What can it do for man? Does it provide for his weakness? does it meet his needs? does it educate and satisfy his spiritual nature? If it does all these perfectly, it must have been made for man, and it must be true, unless God is a deceiver, and the soul itself an organized cheat.”
Thomas Starr King (1824–1864) said by 1864 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Christianity and humanity: a series of sermons. (1880). p. 9.
“To ride, shoot straight and speak the truth— This was the ancient Law for Youth. Old times are past, old days are done; But the law runs true—O little son!”
Charles T. Davis (poet) first seen 1923 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To a Real Boy", in Boys' Life, vol. 13, no. 1 (January, 1923), p. 18 (from the Arkansas Gazette)
“— The grave's dark portal Soon shuts this world of shadows from our view, Then shall we grasp realities immortal, If to the truth within us we are true.”
Emma Catherine Embury (1806–1863) first seen 1847 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Illusions", st. 5 (1847)
“Interviewer: “Fognini would have won much more with a different mindset [...]: truth or stereotype?” Fognini: I've been hearing this my whole life, and I'm tired of it. I'm fine with the way things are: I've made it into the top 10 in the rankings while staying true to myself. Becoming what others want me to be would make me unhappy.”
Fabio Fognini (born 1987) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“How his quaint wit made home-truth seem more true.”
Tom Taylor (born 2001) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I am a true believer of living your truth and purpose.”
Barbara Kasekende (born 1979) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The true peace that we await is an act of courage that commits both sides to lay down their arms to speak in truth and draw the outlines of a final and lasting peace, based on a written and signed commitment. Abandon selfish calculations and reject sectarian division and clan rivalries.”
Paul Abel Mamba Diatta (born 1960) first seen 2015 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Casamance: "Stalemate, the peace process must be relaunched" says the Bishop of Ziguinchor (12 January 2015) Fides News Agency
“I choose roles that I know I can breathe truth and life into. If it doesn’t ring true inside me then I will just fall short of the material and myself and would much rather pass on it.”
Cherie Gil (1963–2022) said by 2022 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“True discipline in matters of the intellect is a ruthless intransigence against the spirit of discussion. Every concession made in the name of mutual equality is a betrayal of the truth, over which courtesy prevails. Thinking divides.”
Manlio Sgalambro (1924–2014) said by 2014 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The strongest argument for the truth of Christianity is the true Christian, the man filled with the Spirit of Christ. [...] The best proof of Christ's resurrection is a living Church, which itself is walking in new life, and drawing life from him who has overcome death.”
Theodor Christlieb (1833–1889) first seen 1873 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: The Best Methods of Counteracting Modern Infidelity: A Paper Read before the General Conference of the Evangelical Alliance, New York, October 6, 1873 (New York: Harper & Bros, 1874) p. 87. Reported slightly differently…
“Every scrap of truth comes wrapped in shit and dirt and useless crap / No path leads true to the sublime / So take your ration, stand in line.”
Hammond Johns first seen 2026 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: I Reached For Beauty, The Faraday Room (2026).
“Religion, if it be true, is central truth; and all knowledge which is not gathered round it, and quickened and illuminated by it, is hardly worthy the name.”
William Ellery Channing (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“..."Yes, the true servant unceasingly rebukes the wicked, but he does it most of all by his conduct, but the truth that shines in his words, by the light of his example, by all the radiance of his life." (1989) The Road to Assisi, Sabatier as edted by Sweeney, pg 143.”
Francis of Assisi (disputed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“More proselytes and converts use t’ accrue To false persuasions than the right and true; For error and mistake are infinite, But truth has but one way to be i’ th’ right.”
Samuel Butler (poet) (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The true friend of truth and good loves them under all forms, but he loves them most under the most simple form.”
Johann Kaspar Lavater (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“True worth is as inevitably discovered by the facial expression, as its opposite is sure to be clearly represented there. The human face is nature’s tablet, the truth is certainly written thereon.”
Johann Kaspar Lavater (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“To maintain an opinion because it is thine, and not because it is true, is to prefer thyself above the truth.”
Ralph Venning (attributed) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“By this time, like one who had set out on his way by night, and travelled through a region of smooth or idle dreams, our history now arrives on the confines, where daylight and truth meet us with a clear dawn, representing to our view, though at a far distance, true colours and shapes.”
John Milton (1608–1674) said by 1674 at the latest bartlett, Public domain source
“'T is strange, but true; for truth is always strange,-- Stranger than fiction.”
Lord Byron (1788–1824) said by 1824 at the latest bartlett, Public domain source
“To believe what another says about you is unconscious, robot thinking. Nothing is true in self-discovery unless it is true in your own experience. This is the only protection against the robot levels of the mind.”
Barry Long (1926–2003) said by 2003 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Nothing is true unless it is true in your own experience. This is your protection against being duped or misled.”
Barry Long (1926–2003) said by 2003 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Well, it was true. ... True, he thought, but no one ever got the chance to know it. Oh, they knew it was something, but it couldn’t be that — not that. That was imagination, that was superstition, there was no such thing as that. And, before science had caught up with the legend, the legend had swallowed science and everything.”
Richard Matheson (1926–2013) said by 2013 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The true test of all the arts, is not solely whether the production is a true copy of nature, but whether it answers the end of art, which is to produce a pleasing effect upon the mind.”
Joshua Reynolds (1723–1792) said by 1792 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It ’s no matter what you do If your heart be only true, And his heart was true to Poll.”
Francis Burnand (1836–1917) said by 1917 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“True love is not the helpless desire to possess the cherished object of one's fervent affection; true love is the disciplined generosity we require of ourselves for the sake of another when we would rather be selfish; that, at least, is how I have taught myself to love my wife.”
Stephen L. Carter (born 1954) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I think my basic viewpoint is that everything the left and right say about each other is true. And the reason it's true is because they have so much in common.”
Bob Black (born 1951) first seen 1990 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "Self-publisher takes sardonic aim at all views — including his", by Linda Barnas, in The Sunday Gazette (11 November 1990), p. H7
“Is not true leisure One with true toil?”
John Sullivan Dwight (1813–1893) said by 1893 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Nothing official in Russia is true; or stays true for long. The poisoning of the well of information in the Western world through bots and counter-facts and internet rumours, dark fairy stories boosted on social media sites, is no accident but one of the most successful exports of the dark Russian state. Everything Putin does in the West, he's tried out back home before.”
John Sweeney (journalist) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Journalists say a thing that they know isn't true, in the hope that if they keep on saying it long enough it will be true.”
Arnold Bennett (1867–1931) said by 1931 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“People die. That’s true in novels, and it’s true in life. Dying is one of the very few things we all do. To deny or ignore the omnipresent reality of death seems to me a disservice to human beings. That said, acknowledging in my novels that death exists does not make me a murderer any more than acknowledging that cancer can be treated makes me an oncologist.”
John Green (born 1977) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Everyone's got the same insecurities as you Everyone's got the same insecurities as you Believe me it is true You are not alone There's no need to feel blue Everyone's got the same insecurities as you Believe me it is true Do not be afraid To show people the real you.”
Justin Heazlewood (born 1980) first seen 2005 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In Bed with my Doona (2005).
“A man is not really a true man until he owns his own home, and they that own their homes are made more honorable and honest and pure, true and economical and careful, by owning the home.”
Russell Conwell (1843–1925) said by 1925 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Is it true? Can you absolutely know that it's true? How do you react when you believe that thought? Who would you be without the thought?”
Byron Katie (born 1942) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The true optimist not only expects the best to happen, but goes to work to make the best happen. The true optimist not only looks upon the bright side, but trains every force that is in him to produce more and more brightness in his life...”
Christian D. Larson (1874–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Like other human freedoms, the freedoms embodied in market institutions are justified inasmuch as they meet human needs. Insofar as they fail to do this they can reasonably be altered. This is true not only of the rights that are involved in market institutions. It is true of all human rights.”
John Gray (philosopher) wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“In other words, Islam can never allow a true Muslim to adopt India as his motherland and regard a Hindu as his kith and kin. That is probably the reason why Maulana Mahomed Ali, a great Indian but a true Muslim, preferred to be buried in Jerusalem rather than in India. (pp. 330-331)”
B. R. Ambedkar (1891–1956) said by 1956 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source