Some Thought-Provoking Quotes about Truth
This page features pithy quotes about truth and people’s common reactions when they encounter truth. Readers are encouraged to contemplate each quote for a greater understanding.
- You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. (Bible, John 8:32)
- Search for the truth is the noblest occupation of man; its publication is a duty. (Mme de Staël)
- There is nothing so powerful as truth — and often nothing so strange. (Daniel Webster)
- When two truths seem to directly oppose each other, we must not question either, but remember there is a third — God — who reserves to himself the right to harmonize them. (Mme Soymonoff Swetchine)
- The grand character of truth is its capability of enduring the test of universal experience, and coming unchanged out of every possible form of fair discussion. (Sir John Frederick Herschel)
- God has revealed many truths which he has not explained. We will just have to be content to let him know some things we do not and take him at his word. (B.A. Copass)
- Our recognition and apprehension of the highest truth is essentially an affair of the heart, far more than of the head. (J.B. Kieffer)
- The greatest friend of truth is time; her greatest enemy is prejudice. (C.C. Colton)
- Jesus said: “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)
- Christ did not simply speak the truth; he was the truth — truth through and through, for truth is a thing not of words but a life and being.
(F.W. Robertson)
- There are few nudities so objectionable as the naked truth. (Agnes Repplier)
- Believe those who are seeking the truth. Doubt those who find it. (Andre Gide)
- All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. (Arthur Schopenhauer)
- Chase after truth like hell and you’ll free yourself, even though you never touch its coat-tails. (Clarence Darrow)
- The public will believe anything, so long as it is not founded on truth. (Edith Sitwell)
- All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them. (Galileo Galilei)
Ultimate Truth versus Relative Truth
Ultimate truth is the ultimate state of reality that is devoid of all ephemeral, temporal, transitional things that are found on earth.
Relative truth is the perception of reality as it exists on earth. So named because social conditions, human wisdom, lifestyles and human achievements are constantly in a state of flux.
What the Bible Says about Truth
(paraphrased)
- Jesus Christ is the way or gate, the truth and the life (John 10:7, 14:6).
- The Word of God — wherever encountered — is truth (John 17:17).
- The spirit of truth guides into truth and the Holy Spirit imparts God’s love into the heart of those who desire it (John 16:13; Romans 5:5).
- Objective truth includes the gospel of Jesus Christ regarding grace and salvation through the Divine Love imparted by the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5; 8:39; Ephesians 1:13-14; Titus 3:5-6).
- The church, if it teaches the gospel of Jesus – the true gospel of the Kingdom of God — is a pillar and foundation of truth (1 Timothy 3:15).
- Knowledge of truth depends on divine revelation – God by grace gives awareness, opens eyes/mind and grants repentance (2 Timothy 2:25).
- Truth leads to freedom, spiritual birth, purification and godliness (John 18:32; James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:22; Titus 1:1).
- Truth is seen and understood only partially, but we are exhorted to grow in grace and knowledge (Job 26:14; 36:26; 1 Corinthians 13:8-12; 2 Peter 3:18).
- Much of divine truth is unsearchable and a mystery (Job 5:9; 11:7; 36:26; Isaiah 40:28; Romans 11:33-36;).
- The world doesn’t accept the Spirit of truth because it doesn’t see or know it (John 14:17).
- Truth is opposite to evil, sin, lies and darkness (Romans 2:8; 1 Corinthians 13:6; Hebrews 5:19; 1 John 1:6; 2:4).
- The Bible warns against rejecting, suppressing or wandering away from the truth (Romans 1:18, 25; 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12; James 5:19; 2 Timothy 3:8; 4:4).
Related articles on this site:
Other quotes about truth can be found here.
© 2018, Eva Peck