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The greatest mistake of man is not when he aims right &…

“The greatest mistake of man is not when he aims right & misses it but it's when he thought he aims right when it's wrong & hits it.” quote by Michael Chuang
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“The greatest mistake of man is not when he aims right & misses it but it's when he thought he aims right when it's wrong & hits it.”

Michael Chuang

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The error lies in believing one's aim is correct while it is fundamentally flawed, leading to unintended harmful outcomes.

In simple terms: Thinking you are right when you are not causes worse damage.

Key Takeaway

Question your assumptions before acting.

Themes

self‑deception ethics decision‑making

Mood

reflective cautious

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • leadership
  • policy design
  • personal relationships
  • project planning

Key Concepts

cognitive bias moral responsibility

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you verify the correctness of your goals?
  • What checks can prevent acting on false premises?
A Different Perspective

Assuming correctness without verification can still cause harm.

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