Francis Bacon

If we begin with certainties, we shall end in doubts; but if we begin with doubts, and are patient in them, we shall end in certainties.

Source: The Advancement of Learning, Francis Bacon, 1605 (Book I)

Genuine Bacon, from 'The Advancement of Learning' (1605): 'If a man will begin with certainties, he shall end in doubts; but if he will be content to begin with doubts, he shall end in certainties.' The submitted text is the widely circulated modernized form — first-person plural, with 'and are patient in them' added. Attribution is unimpeachable; consider restoring Bacon's actual wording.

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