The way to see what looks good and understand the reasons it looks good, and to be at one with this goodness as the work proceeds, is to cultivate an inner quietness, a peace of mind so that goodness can shine through.
Robert M. PirsigRead
If you have a high evaluation of yourself then your ability to recognize new facts is weakened.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Having a high opinion of oneself can hinder the ability to learn and adapt to new information.
This quote by Robert M. Pirsig suggests that an inflated self-assessment can create cognitive barriers that obstruct a person's capacity to acknowledge and integrate new knowledge or perspectives. When individuals believe they already possess all the answers or hold a superior understanding, they may become resistant to change and fail to recognize valuable insights, ultimately limiting their growth and understanding.
Themes
Self-AssessmentKnowledgeGrowthLearningRecognition
In practice
Example use cases
During a self-improvement workshop, one could share this quote to illustrate the importance of humility in learning.
More from Robert M. Pirsig
All quotes βWhen analytic thought, the knife, is applied to experience, something is always killed in the process.
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The Buddha resides as comfortably in the circuits of a digital computer or the gears of a cycle transmission as he does at the top of a mountain.
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It's better not to see than to see wrongly.
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The truth knocks on the door and you say, go away, I'm looking for the truth, and it goes away. Puzzling.
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You want to know how to paint a perfect painting? It's easy. Make yourself perfect and then just paint naturally.
Robert M. PirsigRead
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