List of Famous Fact Quotes in English

Here are some famous quotes about facts, along with their meanings and examples:

1. "Facts are stubborn things." — John Adams

John Adams said that facts are stubborn things. This means that facts cannot be changed by anyone's opinions or feelings. For instance, when scientists show evidence of climate change, it still remains true regardless of denial.

Example: If a scientist presents evidence of climate change, no amount of denial changes the fact that it is occurring.

2. "Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not his own facts." — Daniel Patrick Moynihan

Daniel Patrick Moynihan pointed out that everyone can have their own opinion, but only one set of facts exists. Different people might argue about government spending, but the national debt stays the same.

Meaning: People may have different perspectives, but factual information remains constant and shouldn't be twisted to fit one's opinion.

Example: Two people might have different opinions about how much money the government should spend, but the national debt remains the same.

3. "Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored." — Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley remarked that facts do not disappear just because we ignore them. Ignoring the truth won’t make it vanish. For example, if someone overlooks the dangers of smoking, it doesn't change the fact that it’s harmful.

Example: A person might ignore the health risks of smoking, but that doesn’t change the fact that smoking is harmful.

4. "Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please." — Mark Twain

Mark Twain believed in getting your facts straight before twisting them for your viewpoint. Knowing the truth is important, even for those who might use it to back their opinions. A politician might selectively use crime statistics, but they must start with the real data.

Example: A politician might use crime statistics selectively to support their stance, but they still need to start with actual data.

5. "Facts are the air of scientists. Without them, you can never fly." — Linus Pauling

Linus Pauling compared facts to air for scientists, emphasizing that facts are key to scientific exploration. A scientist needs factual information from experiments to create new medicines.

Example: For a scientist to develop a new medication, they must rely on factual data from experiments and research.

6. "Alternative facts are not facts. They’re falsehoods." — Chuck Todd

Chuck Todd declared that alternative facts are not real; they are lies. There is no other version of the truth—there are only facts and falsehoods. If a news report states an event occurred on a specific date, any claim about a different date would just be wrong.

Example: If a news report claims an event happened on a certain date, an "alternative fact" about a different date would simply be inaccurate.

7. "The truth does not change according to our ability to stomach it." — Flannery O'Connor

Flannery O'Connor stated that the truth doesn't change based on how we feel about it. Some truths can be hard to accept, but they remain true nonetheless. Many may find climate change reports troublesome, but ignoring them doesn’t change the facts.

Example: Some people may struggle with reports on climate change, but avoiding the issue doesn’t alter the facts.

These quotes illustrate various views on the importance of facts, underscoring their role in truth, awareness, and advancement.