Admirable Quote by Bertrand Russell
![“[There are m]oral precepts that we consider really important, such as 'don't pick your nose' or 'don't eat peas with a knife'. There may, for ought I know, be admirable reasons for eating peas with a knife, but . . . early persuasion has made me completely incapable of appreciating them.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a02/bertrand-russell-69_admirable_there-are-m-oral-precepts-that-we-consid_2626535.jpg)
“[There are m]oral precepts that we consider really important, such as 'don't pick your nose' or 'don't eat peas with a knife'. There may, for ought I know, be admirable reasons for eating peas with a knife, but . . . early persuasion has made me completely incapable of appreciating them.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "On Moral Precepts", 1912
Early moral rules can become so ingrained that they block rational evaluation of their usefulness.
In simple terms: Rigid habits prevent questioning of arbitrary rules.
Key Takeaway
Question the origins of your habits.
Themes
morality
habit
critical thinking
Mood
reflective
skeptical
inquisitive
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- education
- parenting
- workplace policies
- personal routines
Key Concepts
cultural conditioning
logic
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we accept certain norms without scrutiny?
- Can any habit be justified logically?
A Different Perspective
Some rules may have hidden benefits despite seeming trivial.
![“If the State does not acquire supremacy over [vast private] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State.” quote by Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bad/bertrand-russell-69_acquire_if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy_1379.jpg)
![“I didn't get a chance to meet Glen [Beck] for this movie. I did meet him a few years ago, coincidentally, before any of this happened. But I've been familiar with his work, so I felt I wanted to get it right. I wanted to honor him. I respect him and I think the way he does his job is admirable…” quote by Zachary Quinto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/bee/zachary-quinto-4021_admirable_i-didn-t-get-a-chance-to-meet-glen-beck_138334.jpg)
