The working of great institutions is mainly the result of a vast mass of routine, petty malice, self interest, carelessness and sheer mistake. Only a residual fraction is thought.
George SantayanaRead
It takes a wonderful brain and exquisite senses to produce a few stupid ideas.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Intelligence and keen observation can sometimes lead to seemingly foolish ideas.
George Santayana's quote suggests that even the most brilliant minds can come up with ideas that may appear foolish or nonsensical. It highlights the irony that creativity and intelligence do not always guarantee sound judgement, as even the greatest thinkers can propose ideas that seem impractical or silly. This serves as a reminder that innovation often involves trial and error, and what is considered a 'stupid' idea today may lead to insightful breakthroughs tomorrow.
Themes
CreativityIntelligenceIdeasWisdomInnovation
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a brainstorming session to encourage open-mindedness.
More from George Santayana
All quotes βThere is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval. The dark background which death supplies brings out the tender colours of life in all their purity.
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Not to believe in love is a great sign of dullness. There are some people so indirect and lumbering that they think all real affection rests on circumstantial evidence.
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To feel beauty is a better thing than to understand how we come to feel it. To have imagination and taste, to love the best, to be carried by the contemplation of nature to a vivid faith in the ideal, all this is more, a great deal more, than any science can hope to be.
George SantayanaRead
The vital straining towards an ideal, definite but latent, when it dominates a whole life, may express that ideal more fully than could the best chosen words.
George SantayanaRead
All living souls welcome whatsoever they are ready to cope with; all else they ignore, or pronounce to be monstrous and wrong, or deny to be possible.
George SantayanaRead
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