Beliefs & Viewpoints: English Vocabulary List

used to imply that opinions can vary widely from person to person, and everyone is entitled to their own viewpoint or perspective

"Everyone has a view on this — opinions are like noses, everyone has one."

"As soon as the new policy was announced, opinions flooded in — opinions are like noses, everyone has one."

used to imply that if someone is forced to accept an idea or belief against their own will, may still hold onto their original beliefs and opinions, even if they do not express them openly

"You cannot force someone to change their mind — a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still."

"No matter how strong the evidence presented, the committee remained unmoved — a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still."

used to highlight the importance of considering multiple perspectives when evaluating a situation or concept

"Both sides have valid points — there are two sides to every coin."

"Before making a judgement, she reminded herself that there are two sides to every coin."

used to suggest that those with a pure and innocent nature tend to see the world in a positive light, interpreting people and situations with goodwill and purity of intention

"He saw no offence in anything because to the pure all things are pure."

"She interpreted the comment generously, as she always did — to the pure all things are pure."

used to imply that our desires and wishes can influence the way we think and perceive things, leading us to believe what we want to believe, rather than what is objectively true

"He says he wants peace, but the wish is father to the thought."

"She claimed not to want the promotion but spoke about it constantly — the wish was clearly father to the thought."

used to imply that human perception and experience are the basis for all knowledge and understanding, which makes it inherently subjective and lacking an objective or absolute truth

"Everything is relative to the observer — man is the measure of all things."

"The debate over value and quality comes back to the same truth: man is the measure of all things."

used suggest that people who are not directly involved in a situation or activity often have a clearer or more objective perspective than those who are directly participating

"Outsiders often see problems more clearly — lookers-on see most of the game."

"The external consultant spotted the flaw immediately — lookers-on see most of the game."

used to imply that people who are not directly involved in a situation often have a better understanding of it than those who are deeply involved, and so, are able to make more objective judgments

"Those watching can see what players miss — standers-by see more than gamesters."

"The intern noticed the tension between the two directors long before anyone inside acknowledged it — standers-by see more than gamesters."

used to imply that people are more likely to believe something if they can see it or experience it for themselves, rather than relying on hearsay or second-hand information

"I did not believe it until I saw it — seeing is believing."

"The prototype had been described for months, but seeing is believing — the demo convinced every investor in the room."

used to suggest that prolonged absence can create unrealistic expectations that lead to disappointment when reunited with what was missed

"Being apart made her see him differently — absence is the mother of disillusion."

"After the long separation, she returned with new eyes — absence is the mother of disillusion."