Decision making Quote by Bertrand Russell
““It is amazing how much both happiness and efficiency can be increased by the cultivation of an orderly mind, which thinks about a matter adequately at the right time rather than inadequately at all times. When a difficult or worrying decision has to be reached, as soon as all the data are available, give the matter your best thought and make your decision; having made the decision, do not revise it unless some new fact comes to your knowledge. Nothing is so exhausting as indecision, and nothing is so futile.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Problems of Philosophy, Bertrand Russell, 1912
An orderly mind improves happiness and efficiency by allowing timely, adequate decisions and avoiding endless indecision.
In simple terms: Clear thinking boosts joy and productivity.
Key Takeaway
Think clearly, decide, and stick to it unless new facts appear.
Themes
decisionmaking
efficiency
happiness
mental clarity
Mood
focused
optimistic
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- business strategy
- personal life
- health decisions
- academic research
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
productivity
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you know when you have enough data to decide?
- What habits help you maintain an orderly mind?
A Different Perspective
Decisions may need revision when new information emerges, challenging the "no‑revisit" rule.
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