The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
We rarely think people have good sense unless they agree with us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
We tend to underestimate the intelligence of others if they don't share our views.
This quote suggests that human judgment is often biased by agreement; when others echo our beliefs, we perceive them as wise or reasonable. Conversely, when someone disagrees, we may dismiss their opinions as lacking good sense, reflecting our own prejudices and the tendency to seek validation in consensus.
Themes
JudgmentAgreementBiasIntelligencePerception
In practice
Example use cases
During a team meeting when discussing differing opinions, this quote can remind us to value diverse perspectives.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
All quotes βOld men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.
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Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
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Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
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The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
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