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We rarely think people have good sense unless they agree with us.
Francois De La Rochefoucauld
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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.

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To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
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