Motives Quote by Arthur Conan Doyle
““They were admirable things for the observer - excellent for drawing the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a nature such as his.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Lost World by Arthur Conan Doyle, 1912
Strong emotions can cloud rational analysis, acting like a flaw in precise instruments and undermining confidence in conclusions.
In simple terms: Emotions can distort clear thinking.
Key Takeaway
Guard against letting feelings dominate reason.
Themes
reasoning
emotion
objectivity
psychology
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- academic research
- legal judgments
- personal decision making
- creative critique
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
mental clarity
self-awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance emotion and logic in critical decisions?
- When might emotion enhance rather than hinder analysis?
A Different Perspective
Emotions also provide valuable insight and motivation, not just distraction.
