Opinions

Back in the 1980s my pastor's wife was asked by a radio guy to share an important lesson that God had showed her. She said something like this:
I have learned to not need to have an opinion.
I hated that.. I seem to have an opinion about everything - and sadly sometimes an opinion about everyone.. sometimes it is an educated one.. many times my opinions are pretty ignorant. Here are a few pithy sayings about opinions:

A man is getting along on the road to wisdom when he begins to realize that his opinion is just an opinion. -Unknown

Opinion has caused more trouble on this little earth than plagues or earthquakes. -Voltaire

Opinion is the medium between knowledge and ignorance. -Plato

There is no such thing as public opinion. There is only published opinion. -Winston Churchill

The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd. -Bertrand Russell

The fewer the facts, the stronger the opinion. -Arnold H. Glasgow

My psychiatrist told me I was crazy and I said I want a second opinion. He said okay, you're ugly too.” -Rodney Dangerfield

It is hard enough to remember my opinions, without also remembering my reasons for them! -Friedrich Nietzsche
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12 comments:

  1. WandaJanuary 24, 2009 at 6:38:00 PM CST

    Hi Bob ~~
    What is an opinion worth in the long run.... broken relationships, hurt feeling, etc. When I think about it... my opinion is really worth nada, nill, zero, diddly squat...it means more to ME than anyone else... I agree with your Pastor' Wife... I too realize I don't NEED an opinion!

    Thanks for sharing this... A lesson we can all learn from, in my opinion.... (((smile))).

    LOL:Wanda

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  2. Bar L.January 24, 2009 at 8:22:00 PM CST

    Oh I love these! I need to copy some over to my quotes page.

    This is a great topic. Too often opinions are taken too seriously and cause all kinds of harm. I do have some strong opininons but I think I have learned to "agree to disagree" with others on most things, there's just no way we are all going to have the same opinions!

    Here's my latest opinion: Bruce Springsteen should have been nominated for an Oscar for his song "The Wrestler" and anyone is free to disagree with me but they are just plain ignorant if they do.


    (the last part of that was a joke....sort of)

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  3. jrchaardJanuary 24, 2009 at 10:54:00 PM CST

    In my opinion, we are both opinionated.

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  4. pearlieJanuary 25, 2009 at 8:33:00 AM CST

    What if you plus opinions with love - what would you get?

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  5. kc bobJanuary 25, 2009 at 8:56:00 AM CST

    These comments represent such a diversity of opinion :)

    Pearlie.. I guess you would get a loving opinion?

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  6. pearlieJanuary 25, 2009 at 8:58:00 AM CST

    But still an opinion! :D

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  7. KenJanuary 25, 2009 at 10:45:00 AM CST

    In my life-experiences, I have discovered that the average person has may opinions, but few convictions. Opinions create attitudes, convictions change lives.

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  8. BilboJanuary 25, 2009 at 11:06:00 AM CST

    Opinions are unavoidable, imo. It is people who downplay the role of opinions and think they possess truth with a capital "T" that I fear. If one doesn't acknowledge the role of opinions than it is generally very difficult to be a good conversationalist. So, acknowledge that opinions are a part of our human limited nature and celebrate this aspect of who we are...Of course, this is just one person's opinion.

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  9. Therese ZJanuary 25, 2009 at 3:54:00 PM CST

    When the intellect is considered the highest point of evolution in the universe, then opinions become truth. It's a dangerous time these days, when truth is spoken and responded to with "well, that's your opinion."

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  10. BilboJanuary 25, 2009 at 9:03:00 PM CST

    And it is equally dangerous when people confuse their opinion for the will of God.

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  11. photowannabeJanuary 25, 2009 at 9:11:00 PM CST

    Ummm....hmmmm....Ouch!!
    Good stuff as usual.

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  12. AnonymousJanuary 26, 2009 at 7:29:00 AM CST

    I just knew I would have an opinion about this post and was looking forward to commenting. But nope! I got nothing.

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