--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My dad used to say the definition of…" description: "\"“My dad used to say the definition of stupidity was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Or maybe that was the de..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d5/david-estes-16837_paraphrasing-narcoti_my-dad-used-to-say-the-definition-of-stu_1053202.jpg" --- # My dad used to say the definition of stupidity was doing… ![“My dad used to say the definition of stupidity was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Or maybe that was the definition of crazy.” quote by David Estes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d5/david-estes-16837_paraphrasing-narcoti_my-dad-used-to-say-the-definition-of-stu_1053202.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d5/david-estes-16837_paraphrasing-narcoti_my-dad-used-to-say-the-definition-of-stu_1053202.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d5/david-estes-16837_paraphrasing-narcoti_my-dad-used-to-say-the-definition-of-stu_1053202.jpg) > ““My dad used to say the definition of stupidity was doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. Or maybe that was the definition of crazy.”” [David Estes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-estes/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Repeating actions while expecting new outcomes is foolish; this defines stupidity or madness. **In simple terms:** Doing the same thing expecting different results is foolish. Key Takeaway Change your approach. Themes stupidity change expectations Mood critical motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - habit formation - problem solving - innovation Key Concepts behavioral economics psychology Questions to Reflect On - What habit are you repeating without success? - How can you test a new method? A Different Perspective People often overlook the need for new strategies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Expecting A Different Result](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expecting-a-different-result/) [Stupidity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stupidity/) ## Related quotes > [“She’d read somewhere that the definition of crazy was doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurelin-paige/she-d-read-somewhere-that-the-definition-of-crazy-was-doing-the-same/) [Laurelin Paige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurelin-paige/) > [“Stupidity is doing the same thing and expecting a different result.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliezer-yudkowsky/stupidity-is-doing-the-same-thing-and-expecting-a-different-result/) [Eliezer Yudkowsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliezer-yudkowsky/) > [“I have a suspicion - and hear me out, 'cause this is a rough one - I have a suspicion that the definition of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/i-have-a-suspicion-and-hear-me-out-cause-this-is-a-rough-one-i-have-a/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [“...the definition of crazy is doing something close to the same thing twice and expecting a different end.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cath-crowley/the-definition-of-crazy-is-doing-something-close-to-the-same-thing/) [Cath Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cath-crowley/) > [I have a suspicion that the definition of "crazy" in show business is a woman who keeps talking even after no one wants to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-fey/i-have-a-suspicion-that-the-definition-of-crazy-in-show-business-is-a/) [Tina Fey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-fey/) > [Right, and the definition of basic stupidity is to keep doing the same thing over and over again while expecting a different result. 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