Difficult Quote by David Hume
“What is easy and obvious is never valued; and even what is in itself difficult, if we come to knowledge of it without difficulty, and without and stretch of thought or judgment, is but little regarded.”
About This Quote
Source Book: An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding, 1748
Things that are simple or obvious are often taken for granted, while even difficult ideas can be undervalued if they seem to come without effort.
In simple terms: Simple things are ignored; hard things are undervalued if easy.
Key Takeaway
Recognize effort behind ideas.
Themes
perception
value
knowledge
effort
humility
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
analytical
When to use this quote
- education
- leadership
- decision making
- critical thinking
Key Concepts
Epistemology
cognitive bias
valuation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you assess the true difficulty of an idea?
- What habits cause you to overlook obvious truths?
A Different Perspective
Even with effort, people may still dismiss valuable insights.
