August 23, 2025

To think contrary to one’s era is heroism. But to speak against it is madness.

Eugène Ionescu (1909–1994), Romanian-born French playwright, The Cynic’s Lexicon, Jonathon Green, ed. (London: 1986), p.103

When, if ever, have you thought things contrary to popular belief? For example? When, if ever, have you spoken up against such beliefs? To which audiences?

Perhaps the only solution to this dilemma was demonstrated—and maybe only apocryphally—by Galileo. When pressed to confirm that the earth was indeed the centre of the universe (and thus did not move), he said so, aloud, but then whispered “Eppur si muove” (“Nevertheless, it moves”).