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If you have more than one reason to do something (choose a doctor or veterinarian, hire a gardener or an employee, marry a person, go on a trip), just don’t do it. It does not mean that one reason is better than two, just that by invoking more than one reason you are trying to convince yourself to do something. Obvious decisions (robust to error) require no more than a single reason.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Trust your instincts and make decisions based on a single compelling reason rather than overthinking with multiple justifications.

In this quote, Nassim Nicholas Taleb emphasizes the importance of clarity in decision-making. He argues that when faced with a choice, if you find yourself needing multiple reasons to justify an action, it may indicate doubt or hesitation. Effective decisions, especially straightforward ones, should stem from a single strong rationale, as this suggests confidence and clarity rather than confusion and overanalysis.

Themes

Decision MakingSimplicityConfidenceReasoningClarity

In practice

Example use cases

Use this quote when discussing the importance of clear criteria in hiring processes.

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