---
title: "4 Cognitive Quotes By Edward Tufte"
description: "4 Cognitive quotes by Edward Tufte. Plus more from Edward Tufte and more Cognitive sayings from other authors."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea1/edward-tufte-10613_certain_my-idea-here-is-that-inasmuch-as-certain_173405.jpg"
---

> [My idea here is that, inasmuch as certain cognitive tasks and principles are tied to nature's laws, these tasks and principles are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/my-idea-here-is-that-inasmuch-as-certain-cognitive-tasks-and/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ea1/edward-tufte-10613_certain_my-idea-here-is-that-inasmuch-as-certain_173405.jpg)

> [I think it is important for software to avoiding imposing a cognitive style on workers and their work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/i-think-it-is-important-for-software-to-avoiding-imposing-a-cognitive/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b6d/edward-tufte-10613_avoiding_i-think-it-is-important-for-software-to_662147.jpg)

> [I do believe that there are some universal cognitive tasks that are deep and profound - indeed, so deep and profound that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/i-do-believe-that-there-are-some-universal-cognitive-tasks-that-are/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c86/edward-tufte-10613_accord_i-do-believe-that-there-are-some-univers_2524736.jpg)

> [The speculative part of my work is that these particular cognitive tasks - ways of thinking analytically - are tied to nature's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/the-speculative-part-of-my-work-is-that-these-particular-cognitive/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

[Image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e65/edward-tufte-10613_cognitive_the-speculative-part-of-my-work-is-that_2575028.jpg)

## Other authors on Cognitive

## More by Edward Tufte

> [If you’re told what to look for, you can’t see anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/if-you-re-told-what-to-look-for-you-can-t-see-anything-else/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [“Comparisons must be enforced within the scope of the eyespan, a fundamental point occasionally forgotten in practice.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/comparisons-must-be-enforced-within-the-scope-of-the-eyespan-a/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [If there is a well thought-out design standard, it should be followed. In practice, great design comes from great designers. That is empirically the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/if-there-is-a-well-thought-out-design-standard-it-should-be-followed/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [The point of the essay is to change things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/the-point-of-the-essay-is-to-change-things/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [Here's the general theory: To clarify, add detail. Imagine that. To clarify, add detail. And clutter and overload are not an attribute of information,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/here-s-the-general-theory-to-clarify-add-detail-imagine-that-to/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [My idea here is that, inasmuch as certain cognitive tasks and principles are tied to nature's laws, these tasks and principles are indifferent to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/my-idea-here-is-that-inasmuch-as-certain-cognitive-tasks-and/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [Clutter and confusion are failures of design, not attributes of information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/clutter-and-confusion-are-failures-of-design-not-attributes-of/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [Confusion and clutter are failures of design, not attributes of information. And so the point is to find design strategies that reveal detail and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/confusion-and-clutter-are-failures-of-design-not-attributes-of/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [We've drifted into this presentation mode without realizing the cost to the content and the audience in the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/we-ve-drifted-into-this-presentation-mode-without-realizing-the-cost/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [If your words or images are not on point, making them dance in color won't make them relevant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/if-your-words-or-images-are-not-on-point-making-them-dance-in-color/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [I hope that I am generous and tolerant, but certainly on the intellectual side I think that there are discoverable truths, and some things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/i-hope-that-i-am-generous-and-tolerant-but-certainly-on-the/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [“If the statistics are boring, then you've got the wrong numbers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/if-the-statistics-are-boring-then-you-ve-got-the-wrong-numbers/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [Good design is a lot like clear thinking made visual.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/good-design-is-a-lot-like-clear-thinking-made-visual/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [I think it is important for software to avoiding imposing a cognitive style on workers and their work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/i-think-it-is-important-for-software-to-avoiding-imposing-a-cognitive/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

> [The essential test of design is how well it assists the understanding of the content, not how stylish it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-tufte/the-essential-test-of-design-is-how-well-it-assists-the-understanding/)

[Edward Tufte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-tufte/)

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