Book Quote by Alfred North Whitehead
“It is a profoundly erroneous truism, repeated by all copy books and by eminent people when they are making speeches, that we should cultivate the habit of thinking of what we are doing. The precise opposite is the case. Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking about them.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Unknown, attributed to Whitehead, early 20th century
Civilization progresses by automating routine tasks, freeing thought for higher work.
In simple terms: Automation frees mental capacity.
Key Takeaway
Embrace automation.
Themes
progress
technology
efficiency
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- workplace
- education
- daily routines
Key Concepts
cognitive load
automation
innovation
Questions to Reflect On
- Which tasks could you automate?
- What are the risks of thinking too much?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on automation can reduce critical thinking.
