As towards most other things of which we have but little…
“As towards most other things of which we have but little personal experience (foreigners, or socialists, or aristocrats, as the case may be), there is a degree of vague ill-will towards what is called Thinking. ... I am tempted to believe that much of the mischief thus laid at the door of that poor unknown quantity Thinking is really due to its ubiquitous twin-brother Talking.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Thinking is often feared or disliked because it is paired with talk, which can be superficial or manipulative.
In simple terms: People distrust thinking because it’s linked to talk.
Question thinking, beware empty talk.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political debate
- personal relationships
- education
- media consumption
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does talk influence your perception of ideas?
- When does silence protect thinking?
Talking can mask true intent, making thinking seem dangerous.