René Descartes

1596–1650 · French philosopher, mathematician & founder of modern rationalism

René Descartes made systematic doubt the engine of his philosophy: in the Meditations (1641) and Principles of Philosophy (1644) he resolved to set aside everything that could possibly be doubted in order to reach an indubitable foundation — famously arriving at cogito, ergo sum. Because doubt is so central to his method, feel-good one-liners about doubt gravitate to his name. But the tidy maxim “Doubt is the origin of wisdom” is a later coinage he never wrote; what he actually wrote is longer, more careful, and about method rather than aphorism.

Traced to source

4 quotes we’ve traced to René Descartes

“I think, therefore I am”

Verified

“If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things”

Verified

“It is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well”

Verified

“Doubt is the origin of wisdom”

Disputed

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