Who said “It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.”?

Verified

Thomas Paine. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceLetter to the Addressers (1792)

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Letter to the Addressers (1792).

APA

Paine, T. (n.d.). It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/35285-it-is-error-only-and-not-truth-that/

MLA

Paine, Thomas. “It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/35285-it-is-error-only-and-not-truth-that/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Paine, Thomas. “It is error only, and not truth, that shrinks from inquiry.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/35285-it-is-error-only-and-not-truth-that/.