--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is better to be taught to think…" description: "\"It is better to be taught to think critically than to be told on what to believe.\" — Christopher Paolini" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/305/christopher-paolini-622_believe_it-is-better-to-be-taught-to-think-criti_1321842.png" --- # It is better to be taught to think critically than to be… ![“It is better to be taught to think critically than to be told on what to believe.” quote by Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/305/christopher-paolini-622_believe_it-is-better-to-be-taught-to-think-criti_1321842.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/305/christopher-paolini-622_believe_it-is-better-to-be-taught-to-think-criti_1321842.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/305/christopher-paolini-622_believe_it-is-better-to-be-taught-to-think-criti_1321842.png) > “It is better to be taught to think critically than to be told on what to believe.” [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Critical thinking skills are more valuable than blindly accepting beliefs. **In simple terms:** Think critically, not accept blindly. Key Takeaway Cultivate independent thought. Themes education critical thinking skepticism Mood inquisitive thoughtful Type educational philosophical When to use this quote - classroom - media consumption - personal decision‑making Key Concepts philosophy cognitive development Questions to Reflect On - How do you teach critical thinking? - What beliefs challenge your reasoning? A Different Perspective May underestimate emotional comfort of belief. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [“I won’t tell you what to believe, Eragon. 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Madhubuti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haki-r-madhubuti/) > [I'm asking people to think critically and not to be lazy in their thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naomi-wolf/i-m-asking-people-to-think-critically-and-not-to-be-lazy-in-their/) [Naomi Wolf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naomi-wolf/) > [I just never learned to think critically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/park-yeon-mi/i-just-never-learned-to-think-critically/) [Park Yeon-mi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/park-yeon-mi/) > [My music asks people to think critically, so how can I get upset when people think about me critically?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josh-tillman/my-music-asks-people-to-think-critically-so-how-can-i-get-upset-when/) [Josh Tillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josh-tillman/) > [When you're writing a book, you don't really think about it critically. You don't want to know too well what you're doing. First, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-doctorow/when-you-re-writing-a-book-you-don-t-really-think-about-it-critically/) [E. L. Doctorow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-doctorow/) > [That is what is happening in America. People see things, but still they've just completely lost the ability to think critically.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/park-yeon-mi/that-is-what-is-happening-in-america-people-see-things-but-still-they/) [Park Yeon-mi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/park-yeon-mi/) > [I was brought up in a home environment where I was taught to think critically and was encouraged to seek answers to questions about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-ham/i-was-brought-up-in-a-home-environment-where-i-was-taught-to-think/) [Ken Ham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-ham/) > [“We have been better taught than the world. 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If one simply looks to others for their opinions, they lose the ability to think critically for themselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerri-maniscalco/society-at-large-is-staggeringly-obtuse-if-one-simply-looks-to-others/) [Kerri Maniscalco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerri-maniscalco/) ## More by Christopher Paolini > [Life is pain...anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/life-is-pain-anyone-who-tells-you-otherwise-is-selling-something/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [“Understanding breeds empathy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-paolini/understanding-breeds-empathy/) [Christopher Paolini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-paolini/) > [If he fancied her anymore," Saphira said to both Eragon and Roran, "I'd be trying to kiss Arya myself." "Saphira!" 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