Who said “Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.”?

Verified

Bertrand Russell. A published source records them saying or writing it.

Source"A Liberal Decalogue", from "The Best Answer to Fanaticism: Liberalism", New York Times Magazine (16/December/1951); later printed in The Autobiography of Bertrand Russell (1969), vol. 3: 1944-1967, pp. 71-2

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“Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.”
— Bertrand Russell
Verified"A Liberal Decalogue", from "The Best Answer to Fanaticism: Liberalism", New York Times Magazine (16/December/1951); later printed in The Autobiography of Bertrand Russell (1969), vol. 3: 1944-1967, pp. 71-2 · evidenceOpinions

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: "A Liberal Decalogue", from "The Best Answer to Fanaticism: Liberalism", New York Times Magazine (16/December/1951); later printed in The Autobiography of Bertrand Russell (1969), vol. 3: 1944-1967, pp. 71-2.

APA

Russell, B. (n.d.). Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/31505-do-not-fear-to-be-eccentric-in-opinion/

MLA

Russell, Bertrand. “Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/31505-do-not-fear-to-be-eccentric-in-opinion/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Russell, Bertrand. “Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/31505-do-not-fear-to-be-eccentric-in-opinion/.

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