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Our world requires that decisions be sourced and footnoted, and if we say how we feel, we must also be prepared to elaborate on why we feel that way...We need to respect the fact that it is possible to know without knowing why we know and accept that - sometimes - we're better off that way.
Malcolm Gladwell
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Understanding our feelings and decisions requires not only expressing them but also being ready to explain their origins.

Malcolm Gladwell's quote emphasizes the complexity of human understanding. It suggests that in a world that demands justification for our feelings and decisions, we must acknowledge that some knowledge or intuition may exist outside of conscious reasoning. Sometimes, it is not necessary to dissect our emotions or instincts; accepting them as they are can lead to a more profound appreciation of our experiences.

Themes

FeelingsDecisionsKnowledgeIntuitionElaboration

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about decision-making in personal relationships.

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Quote by Malcolm Gladwell | QuoteProject