--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are all shaped by the tools we use, in…" description: "\"We are all shaped by the tools we use, in particular: the formalisms we use shape our thinking habits, for better or for worse, and that means that we ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e8/edsger-dijkstra-5102_careful_we-are-all-shaped-by-the-tools-we-use-in_1200338.png" --- # We are all shaped by the tools we use, in particular: the… ![“We are all shaped by the tools we use, in particular: the formalisms we use shape our thinking habits, for better or for worse, and that means that we have to be very careful in the choice of what we learn and teach, for unlearning is not really possible.” quote by Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e8/edsger-dijkstra-5102_careful_we-are-all-shaped-by-the-tools-we-use-in_1200338.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e8/edsger-dijkstra-5102_careful_we-are-all-shaped-by-the-tools-we-use-in_1200338.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e8/edsger-dijkstra-5102_careful_we-are-all-shaped-by-the-tools-we-use-in_1200338.png) > “We are all shaped by the tools we use, in particular: the formalisms we use shape our thinking habits, for better or for worse, and that means that we have to be very careful in the choice of what we learn and teach, for unlearning is not really possible.” [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote warns that the formal systems we adopt shape our mental habits, making it crucial to choose learning tools wisely because unlearning is difficult. **In simple terms:** Tools shape thinking; choose learning tools carefully. Key Takeaway Select tools that promote clear, flexible thinking. Themes education cognition technology learning Mood analytical cautious Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - curriculum design - software development - critical thinking workshops Key Concepts philosophy of mind tool theory cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - What tools have most shaped your thinking? - How can you unlearn harmful habits? A Different Perspective Tools may limit creativity if overly rigid. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Programming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programming/) [Shapes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shapes/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Tools](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tools/) [Unlearning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlearning/) ## Related quotes > [“It is not only the violin that shapes the violinist, we are all shaped by the tools we train ourselves to use, and in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-w-dijkstra/it-is-not-only-the-violin-that-shapes-the-violinist-we-are-all-shaped/) [Edsger W. Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-w-dijkstra/) > [A programming language is a tool that has profound influence on our thinking habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/a-programming-language-is-a-tool-that-has-profound-influence-on-our/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [The tools we use have a profound and devious influence on our thinking habits, and therefore on our thinking abilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/the-tools-we-use-have-a-profound-and-devious-influence-on-our/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Perfecting oneself is as much unlearning as it is learning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/perfecting-oneself-is-as-much-unlearning-as-it-is-learning/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Our existing thinking habits are excellent, just as the rear wheels of a motor car are excellent, but not enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/our-existing-thinking-habits-are-excellent-just-as-the-rear-wheels-of/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [Although most of us don't spend time thinking about our thoughts, increasing your awareness of your thinking habits proves useful in building resilience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-morin/although-most-of-us-don-t-spend-time-thinking-about-our-thoughts/) [Amy Morin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-morin/) > [Complacency with our traditional judgement based thinking methods is not enough. Our existing thinking habits are excellent just as the rear wheel of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/complacency-with-our-traditional-judgement-based-thinking-methods-is/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [Unfortunately, our existing traditional thinking habits insist that you must attack something and show it to be bad before you can suggest a change.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-de-bono/unfortunately-our-existing-traditional-thinking-habits-insist-that/) [Edward de Bono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-de-bono/) > [Even people who aren’t geniuses can outthink the rest of mankind if they develop certain thinking habits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/even-people-who-aren-t-geniuses-can-outthink-the-rest-of-mankind-if/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) > [I think that there are excellent and poor thinking habits just as there are healthy and unhealthy eating habits; and when a man really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/criss-jami/i-think-that-there-are-excellent-and-poor-thinking-habits-just-as/) [Criss Jami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/criss-jami/) > [“This includes drugs, alcohol, environmental toxins, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, depression, negative thinking patterns, excessive stress, and a lack of exercise…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-g-amen/this-includes-drugs-alcohol-environmental-toxins-obesity-hypertension/) [Daniel G. Amen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-g-amen/) > [As an athlete, I'm always thinking about habits and goals and how to achieve the things I want to achieve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harrison-barnes/as-an-athlete-i-m-always-thinking-about-habits-and-goals-and-how-to/) [Harrison Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harrison-barnes/) > [Unlearning is gaining importance as workplaces are moving towards agile, collaborative working models. While conventional education adds to our knowledge, unlearning will become the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-screwvala/unlearning-is-gaining-importance-as-workplaces-are-moving-towards/) [Ronnie Screwvala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-screwvala/) > [“I don't categorize things merely to simplify my understanding. I'd rather delve into the process of unlearning.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-sharda/i-don-t-categorize-things-merely-to-simplify-my-understanding-i-d/) [Nikhil Sharda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-sharda/) > [I have spent most of my life unlearning things that were proved not to be true](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-buckminster-fuller/i-have-spent-most-of-my-life-unlearning-things-that-were-proved-not/) [R. Buckminster Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-buckminster-fuller/) ## More by Edsger Dijkstra > [Production speed is severely slowed down if one works with half-time people who have other obligations as well. This is at least a factor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/production-speed-is-severely-slowed-down-if-one-works-with-half-time/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [The computing scientist's main challenge is not to get confused by the complexities of his own making.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/the-computing-scientist-s-main-challenge-is-not-to-get-confused-by/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Probably I am very naive, but I also think I prefer to remain so, at least for the time being and perhaps for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/probably-i-am-very-naive-but-i-also-think-i-prefer-to-remain-so-at/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [In the good old days physicists repeated each other's experiments, just to be sure. Today they stick to FORTRAN, so that they can share…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/in-the-good-old-days-physicists-repeated-each-other-s-experiments/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Don't compete with me: firstly, I have more experience, and secondly, I have chosen the weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/don-t-compete-with-me-firstly-i-have-more-experience-and-secondly-i/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Computer science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/computer-science-is-no-more-about-computers-than-astronomy-is-about/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [The use of anthropomorphic terminology forces you linguistically to adopt an operational view. And it makes it practically impossible to argue about programs independently…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/the-use-of-anthropomorphic-terminology-forces-you-linguistically-to/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Teaching to unsuspecting youngsters the effective use of formal methods is one of the joys of life because it is so extremely rewarding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/teaching-to-unsuspecting-youngsters-the-effective-use-of-formal/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [ Please don't fall into the trap of believing that I am terribly dogmatical about \[the goto statement\]. I have the uncomfortable feeling that others… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/please-don-t-fall-into-the-trap-of-believing-that-i-am-terribly/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Brainpower is by far our scarcest resource.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/brainpower-is-by-far-our-scarcest-resource/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Programming in Basic causes brain damage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/programming-in-basic-causes-brain-damage/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [Several people have told me that my inability to suffer fools gladly is one of my main weaknesses.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/several-people-have-told-me-that-my-inability-to-suffer-fools-gladly/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [I now have had my foggy crystal ball for quite a long time. Its predictions are invariably gloomy and usually correct, but I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/i-now-have-had-my-foggy-crystal-ball-for-quite-a-long-time-its/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [In this respect a program is like a poem: you cannot write a poem without writing it. Yet people talk about programming as if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/in-this-respect-a-program-is-like-a-poem-you-cannot-write-a-poem/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) > [About the use of language: it is impossible to sharpen a pencil with a blunt axe. It is equally vain to try to do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/about-the-use-of-language-it-is-impossible-to-sharpen-a-pencil-with-a/) [Edsger Dijkstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) [Explore all 103 Edsger Dijkstra quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/) ## More Careful quotes > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [“Only careful political manoeuvring will be able to manage the situation.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/davan-yahya-khalil/only-careful-political-manoeuvring-will-be-able-to-manage-the/) Davan Yahya Khalil > [Be careful. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to the worst Spanish student in the history of the language.” I laughed. “No problemo.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kiersten-white/be-careful-i-wouldn-t-want-anything-to-happen-to-the-worst-spanish/) [Kiersten White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kiersten-white/) > [If I held all the thoughts of the world in my hand, I would be careful not to open it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/if-i-held-all-the-thoughts-of-the-world-in-my-hand-i-would-be-careful/) [Bernard le Bovier de Fontenelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-le-bovier-de-fontenelle/) > [Physical beauty is not everything, but the beauty is more careful than anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/physical-beauty-is-not-everything-but-the-beauty-is-more-careful-than/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you think about what you do, if you become self-conscious about it, you've got to be very careful. Because I really like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-morgan/if-you-think-about-what-you-do-if-you-become-self-conscious-about-it/) [Peter Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-morgan/) > [You've got to be careful against classy fighters, especially counter-punchers because if you go for the finish too early, you can end up getting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-froch/you-ve-got-to-be-careful-against-classy-fighters-especially-counter/) [Carl Froch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-froch/) > [ \[A\]s you partake of the world's bill of fare, that's darned good advice to follow. Do a lot of spitting out the hot air.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-seuss/a-s-you-partake-of-the-world-s-bill-of-fare-that-s-darned-good-advice/) [Dr. Seuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-seuss/) > [Be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-clement-stone-2/be-careful-the-friends-you-choose-for-you-will-become-like-them/) W Clement Stone > [A woman who is careful with her words is a gift to all who know her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lysa-terkeurst/a-woman-who-is-careful-with-her-words-is-a-gift-to-all-who-know-her/) [Lysa TerKeurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lysa-terkeurst/) > [We must remember that intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character--that is the goal of true education. The complete education gives one not only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/we-must-remember-that-intelligence-is-not-enough-intelligence-plus/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [I have to be careful to get out before I become the grotesque caricature of a hatchet-faced woman with big knockers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-lee-curtis/i-have-to-be-careful-to-get-out-before-i-become-the-grotesque/) [Jamie Lee Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-lee-curtis/) > [Success is like a mountain in front of you that keeps growing. If you're not careful, it will take up your whole life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/success-is-like-a-mountain-in-front-of-you-that-keeps-growing-if-you/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [ I just have to deal with it \[injuries\] if and when problems happen. It's obviously a concern and I've been very careful with my… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-james/i-just-have-to-deal-with-it-injuries-if-and-when-problems-happen-it-s/) [Greg James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-james/) > [Our communications reflect in our countenance. Therefore, we must be careful not only what we communicate, but also how we do so. Souls can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-lionel-kendrick/our-communications-reflect-in-our-countenance-therefore-we-must-be/) [L. Lionel Kendrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-lionel-kendrick/) Browse all 2,861 Careful quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We are all shaped by the tools we use, in particular: the formalisms we use shape our thinking habits, for better or for worse, and that means that we have to be very careful in the choice of what we learn and teach, for unlearning is not really possible.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Edsger Dijkstra" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/we-are-all-shaped-by-the-tools-we-use-in-particular-the-formalisms-we/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Careful" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/we-are-all-shaped-by-the-tools-we-use-in-particular-the-formalisms-we/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e8/edsger-dijkstra-5102_careful_we-are-all-shaped-by-the-tools-we-use-in_1200338.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e8/edsger-dijkstra-5102_careful_we-are-all-shaped-by-the-tools-we-use-in_1200338.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0e8/edsger-dijkstra-5102_careful_we-are-all-shaped-by-the-tools-we-use-in_1200338.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We are all shaped by the tools we use, in particular: the formalisms we use shape our thinking habits, for…” — Edsger Dijkstra", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Edsger Dijkstra", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edsger-dijkstra/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We are all shaped by the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/we-are-all-shaped-by-the-tools-we-use-in-particular-the-formalisms-we/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edsger-dijkstra/we-are-all-shaped-by-the-tools-we-use-in-particular-the-formalisms-we/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```