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Of course I don't believe in it [pointing to horseshoe on his office wall]. But I understand that it brings you luck whether you believe in it or not.
Niels Bohr
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Belief can influence perception of luck, regardless of whether it's rational.

This quote by Niels Bohr highlights the distinction between belief and reality, suggesting that the act of believing in something, such as a horseshoe as a symbol of luck, can have a psychological effect. Even if one does not personally subscribe to the superstition, understanding its influence on others can be significant, revealing how our perceptions can shape our experiences.

Themes

BeliefLuckSuperstitionPerceptionPsychology

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech, to emphasize the power of belief.

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Those who are not shocked when they first come across quantum theory cannot possibly have understood it.
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And anyone who thinks they can talk about quantum theory without feeling dizzy hasn't yet understood the first thing about it.
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