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There are many seeming contradictions and even obscurities in the innumerable writings of the church fathers. Our respect for their authority should not stand in the way of an effort on our part to come at the truth.

— Peter Abelard Sic et Non (1120)

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More quotes by Peter Abelard

Often the hearts of men and women are stirred, as likewise they are soothed in their sorrows, more by example than by words.

Historia Calamitatum (1132)

The purpose and cause of the incarnation was that He might illuminate the world by His wisdom and excite it to the love of Himself.

The Abelardian Doctrine Of The Atonement (1892)

The fathers did not themselves believe that they, or their companions, were always right. Augustine found himself mistaken in some cases and did not hesitate to retract his errors.

Sic et Non (1120)

The master key of knowledge is, indeed, a persistent and frequent questioning.

Sic et Non (1120)

When love has once been sincere, how difficult it is to determine to love no more? 'Tis a thousand times more easy to renounce the world than love.

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Peter Abelard (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.