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

Not actually René Descartes

Often misattributed to René Descartes

Famous lines widely pinned on René Descartes that we’ve traced to someone else.

“Doubt is the origin of wisdom”

Unknown — not René Descartes

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