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Admire Quote by Charles Caleb Colton

“Logic is a large drawer, containing some useful instruments, and many more that are superfluous. A wise man will look into it for two purposes, to avail himself of those instruments that are really useful, and to admire the ingenuity with which those that are not so, are assorted and arranged.” quote by Charles Caleb Colton
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“Logic is a large drawer, containing some useful instruments, and many more that are superfluous. A wise man will look into it for two purposes, to avail himself of those instruments that are really useful, and to admire the ingenuity with which those that are not so, are assorted and arranged.”

Charles Caleb Colton

About This Quote

Source Essay: Miscellanies, 1820

Logic offers useful tools but also many unnecessary ones; wise use focuses on the helpful and appreciates the rest.

In simple terms: Logic has useful and useless parts.

Key Takeaway

Use logic wisely, ignore excess.

Themes

reasoning wisdom efficiency

Mood

analytical calm

Type

philosophical practical

When to use this quote

  • problem solving
  • decision making
  • education
  • philosophical debate

Key Concepts

Instrumental rationality cognitive load

Questions to Reflect On

  • When should you trust logic over gut?
  • How to balance useful and superfluous tools?
A Different Perspective

Over‑reliance on logic can ignore intuition.

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