Creativity Quote by Dan Ariely
““Put simply, the link between creativity and dishonesty seems related to the ability to tell ourselves stories about how we are doing the right thing, even when we are not. The more creative we are, the more we are able to come up with good stories that help us justify our selfish interests.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely, 2008
Creativity can craft convincing narratives that rationalize selfish behavior, making dishonesty easier to justify.
In simple terms: Creative storytelling can excuse selfishness.
Key Takeaway
Beware of self‑justifying narratives.
Themes
ethics
creativity
self‑interest
deception
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
analytical
ethical
When to use this quote
- business negotiations
- personal decision making
- political rhetoric
- marketing
- academic research
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
moral licensing
storytelling
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you recognize when a story is self‑justification?
- Can creativity be directed toward ethical outcomes?
A Different Perspective
Stories may mask true motives, leading to rationalization of unethical actions.
![“[..] we human beings are ready and willing to steal something that does not explicitly reference monetary value - that is, something that lacks the face of a dead president.” quote by Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a1f/dan-ariely-1899_funny_we-human-beings-are-ready-and-willing-to_4436.jpg)
