Ehipassiko

Do not believe in anything (simply)

Because you have heard it

Do not believe in traditions because they

have been handed down for many generations

Do not believe in anything because it is spoken

and rumored by many

Do not believe and anything (simply) because it is

found written in your religious books.

Do not believe and anything merely on

the authority of your teachers and elders.

But after observation and analysis, when you

find that anything agrees with reason and is conducive

to the good and benefit of one and all

then accept it and live up to it.

(Buddha, Anguttara Nikaya, Vol I, 188-193 P.T.S. Ed.)