Faith Quote by Christopher Phillips
““Yet often they are neglected to the point that they become supplanted by “habits of hasty, heedless, impatient glancing over the surface … of haphazard, grasshopper-like guessing … of credulity alternating with flippant incredulity, belief or unbelief being based, in either case, upon whim, emotion, or accidental circumstances.” Dewey’s use-it-or-lose-it philosophy is that “the only way to achieve traits of carefulness, thoroughness, and continuity … is by exercising these traits from the beginning”—traits which we possess from the outset but must polish if they are to remain in good condition. He rues that many seem willfully to exorcise these traits in themselves and do further damage by allowing them to atrophy in children under their care.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The World of Ideas, Christopher Phillips, 2018
Neglecting careful, thorough habits leads to superficial, impulsive thinking; cultivating these traits early prevents their decay.
In simple terms: Neglecting care leads to shallow thinking; practice early.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate careful habits from the start.
Themes
education
habits
critical thinking
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- parenting
- professional training
- self‑study
Key Concepts
Mindfulness
deliberate practice
cognitive development
Questions to Reflect On
- What habits do you need to revive?
- How can you embed thoroughness daily?
A Different Perspective
People may resist disciplined habits due to comfort.
