We should chiefly depend not upon that department of the…
“We should chiefly depend not upon that department of the soul which is most superficial and fallible (our reason), but upon that department that is deep and sure, which is instinct.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Instinct, not reason, is the reliable guide for deep truths; reason is superficial and error‑prone.
In simple terms: Trust instinct over shallow reasoning.
Balance intuition with critical thought.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- decision making
- creative work
- personal dilemmas
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When should you trust gut feeling?
- How do you test instinct against evidence?
Reason can correct instinctual bias when evidence is clear.