Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Comment on this quote Share via Email Print this Page Georg Christoph Lichtenberg Quote “One's first step in wisdom is to question everything -- and one's last is to come to terms with everything.” ~ Georg Christoph Lichtenberg (1742-1799) German scientist, professor, satirist and Anglophile Dissent , Experimentation , Free Thought , Individualism , Integrity , Knowledge , Learning , Proverbs , Reason , Responsibility , Skepticism , Trust , Wisdom Ratings and Comments 1 Reply J Carlton, Calgary 12/14/07 Absolutely! If we are ever to regain our rights and freedoms, it is necessary to question Authority. I simply will NOT come to terms with being a feudal slave. Go Ron Paul. :) Reply RobertSRQ 12/14/07 Russell could have written this. Excellent! 1Reply E Archer, NYC 12/14/07 Wow -- 10 stars! Such honesty is rare. 1 Reply w dornth, Arizona 12/14/07 Although the statement is powerful and I agree with it there is a mistake in the simple reading of it. It is impossible at first or last step to literally question everything. There is just too much information and many people to due that. If one really trys to question everything, one will never make the next step. One must have a degree of trust in others, the good judgement to know who can be trusted, and face the reality that you must constantly review your own judgement of who you can trust and why you can trust them. In a perfect world the statement is true, but in the world of today, one must realize people change, and not always for the better. 1Reply Mark, Northfield, Minnesota 12/14/07 It is essential for us to question our beliefs, convictions, and prejudices frequently. According to Thoreau: "No way of doing can be trusted without proof." Reply warren, olathe 12/17/07 Ponder would be more appropriate of a word today than question. The word question has taken on some negative connotations in recent years and perhaps changes the original meaning of the quote. Reply Ronw13, Yachats Or 6/9/15 Empirical science, and its methods. vs Natural Philosophy. I would question what Lichtenberg, terms as wisdom. The latter of his statement bears that fact out, he stands in theory and doubt as Aristotle. Reply jim k, Austin 6/9/15 Reply Mike, Norwalk 6/9/15 Ron13, well said SaveOk2 SaveOk2 View CommentsClick to view or comment. Share on Facebook Tweet Email Print This Georg Christoph Lichtenberg quote is found in these categories: Dissent quotes Experimentation quotes Free Thought quotes Individualism quotes Integrity quotes Knowledge quotes Learning quotes Proverbs quotes Reason quotes Responsibility quotes Skepticism quotes Trust quotes Wisdom quotes About Georg Christoph Lichtenberg Bio of Georg Christoph Lichtenberg Quotations by Georg Christoph Lichtenberg Books by/about Georg Christoph Lichtenberg Georg Christoph Lichtenberg videos Georg Christoph Lichtenberg on Wikipedia Astrological chart for Georg Christoph Lichtenberg