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Be open minded, but not so open minded that your brains fall out.
Groucho Marx
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Stay receptive to new ideas while maintaining your critical thinking.

This quote suggests that while it is beneficial to be open-minded and willing to consider different perspectives, there is a limit to how much one should accept without skepticism. True wisdom lies in the balance between embracing new thoughts and maintaining a thoughtful scrutiny over what one believes.

Themes

Open MindedWisdomCritical ThinkingBalanceIdeas

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about new technologies, one might say this quote to encourage a healthy debate.

More from Groucho Marx

Behind every successful man is a woman, behind her is his wife.
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John you say you met in an elevator. Was the elevator going up at the time, or down? This is very important, for going down in an elevator one always has that sinking feeling and for all I know you may have this confused with love. If you were going up, it is clearly a case of love at first sight.
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Firefly: Where is your husband? Mrs. Teasdale: Why, he's dead. Firefly: I'll bet he's just using that as an excuse. Mrs. Teasdale: I was with him to the very end. Firefly: Hmmph. No wonder he passed away. Mrs. Teasdale: I held him in my arms and kissed him. Firefly: Oh I see. Then, it was murder.
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Chico: "Here's the book, it's a dollar" Groucho: "Here's a ten, and shoot the change." Chico: "I don't have change I'd have to give you nine more books.
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Gentlemen, Chicolini here may talk like an idiot, and look like an idiot, but don't let that fool you: he really is an idiot. I implore you, send him back to his father and brothers, who are waiting for him with open arms in the penitentiary. I suggest that we give him ten years in Leavenworth, or eleven years in Twelveworth.
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Die, my dear? Why that's the last thing I'll do!
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Remember that unjust critisism is often a disquised compliment.
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What I have learned from my work up to now, is to try to be open, but also protect myself by not letting the good and the evil get too much importance.
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I have found that nothing so deceives your adversaries as telling them the truth.
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Everyone complains of his memory, and nobody complains of his judgment.
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