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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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The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
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Old 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.
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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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