I have all my life been on my guard against the…
“I have all my life been on my guard against the informationconveyed by the sense of hearingit being one of my earliest observations, the universal inclination of humankind is to be led by theears, and I am sometimes apt to imagine that they are givento men as they are to pitchers,purposely that they may be carried about by them.”
This quote is also attributed to Mary Wortley Montagu in other sources. Attributions for famous quotes are often disputed.
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Humans tend to trust auditory information, often overlooking other senses, leading to misinterpretation.
In simple terms: People rely heavily on hearing, sometimes wrongly.
Key Takeaway
Balance sensory input for clearer understanding.
Themes
perception
sensory bias
communication
critical thinking
humor
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
observant
Type
Life:1
Things happen for a reason:1
Inclination Humankind:1
Earliest Observations:1
Observations Universal:1
Universal Inclination:1
Pitchers Purposely:1
When to use this quote
- daily conversations
- media consumption
- decision making
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
information processing
philosophical insight
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you verify information beyond hearing?
- When did you misjudge a situation?
A Different Perspective
Overreliance on hearing can cause errors; other senses matter.