Who said “When I tell any truth it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but…”?

Verified

William Blake. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourcePublic Address, Blake's Notebook c. 1810

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

“When I tell any truth it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those who do.”
VerifiedPublic Address, Blake's Notebook c. 1810 · evidenceTruth
Report

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Public Address, Blake's Notebook c. 1810.

APA

Blake, W. (n.d.). When I tell any truth it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those who do. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/40686-when-i-tell-any-truth-it-is-not/

MLA

Blake, William. “When I tell any truth it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those who do.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/40686-when-i-tell-any-truth-it-is-not/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Blake, William. “When I tell any truth it is not for the sake of convincing those who do not know it, but for the sake of defending those who do.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/40686-when-i-tell-any-truth-it-is-not/.