--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: All men are, at times, influenced by…" description: "\"All men are, at times, influenced by inexplicable sentiments. Ideas haunt them in spite of all their efforts to discard them. Prepossessions are entert..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/charles-brockden-brown-38059_adequate_all-men-are-at-times-influenced-by-inexp_1191049.jpg" --- # All men are, at times, influenced by inexplicable… ![“All men are, at times, influenced by inexplicable sentiments. Ideas haunt them in spite of all their efforts to discard them. Prepossessions are entertained, for which their reason is unable to discover any adequate cause. The strength of a belief, when it is destitute of any rational foundation…” quote by Charles Brockden Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/charles-brockden-brown-38059_adequate_all-men-are-at-times-influenced-by-inexp_1191049.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/charles-brockden-brown-38059_adequate_all-men-are-at-times-influenced-by-inexp_1191049.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec1/charles-brockden-brown-38059_adequate_all-men-are-at-times-influenced-by-inexp_1191049.jpg) > “All men are, at times, influenced by inexplicable sentiments. Ideas haunt them in spite of all their efforts to discard them. Prepossessions are entertained, for which their reason is unable to discover any adequate cause. The strength of a belief, when it is destitute of any rational foundation, seems, of itself, to furnish a new ground for credulity. We first admit a powerful persuasion, and then, from reflecting on the insufficiency of the ground on which it is built, instead of being prompted to dismiss it, we become more forcibly attached to it.” [Charles Brockden Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-brockden-brown/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ideas can grip us irrationally, and when we notice their weak basis, we often cling tighter rather than let go. **In simple terms:** Irrational ideas grip us stronger when we see they lack reason. Key Takeaway Question weak beliefs when they feel irrational. Themes psychology belief irrationality Mood reflective critical skeptical Type philosophical psychological cautionary When to use this quote - personal decision making - political persuasion - marketing - relationships Key Concepts cognitive bias confirmation bias belief perseverance Questions to Reflect On - Why do we cling to beliefs that lack evidence? - How can we recognize and counter belief perseverance? A Different Perspective People may rationalize or double‑down on beliefs despite evidence against them. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Belief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/belief/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) [Ideas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideas/) [Insufficiency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/insufficiency/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Persuasion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persuasion/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Sentiments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentiments/) [Spite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spite/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [There are two occasions when the sacred beauty of Creation becomes dazzlingly apparent, and they occur together. 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