--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is a curious fact that of all the…" description: "\"It is a curious fact that of all the illusions that beset mankind none is quite so curious as that tendency to suppose that we are mentally and morally..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/001/elbert-hubbard-510_curious_it-is-a-curious-fact-that-of-all-the-ill_1187617.png" --- # It is a curious fact that of all the illusions that beset… ![“It is a curious fact that of all the illusions that beset mankind none is quite so curious as that tendency to suppose that we are mentally and morally superior to those who differ from us in opinion.” quote by Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/001/elbert-hubbard-510_curious_it-is-a-curious-fact-that-of-all-the-ill_1187617.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/001/elbert-hubbard-510_curious_it-is-a-curious-fact-that-of-all-the-ill_1187617.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/001/elbert-hubbard-510_curious_it-is-a-curious-fact-that-of-all-the-ill_1187617.png) > “It is a curious fact that of all the illusions that beset mankind none is quite so curious as that tendency to suppose that we are mentally and morally superior to those who differ from us in opinion.” [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often mistakenly believe they are morally superior to those with differing opinions, an illusion that hinders understanding. **In simple terms:** We think we’re morally better than others. Key Takeaway Recognize and challenge your own superiority bias. Themes humility open‑mindedness bias Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - debates - political discussions - interfaith dialogues - team meetings Key Concepts psychology ethics social perception Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions do you hold about opposing views? - How can you foster respectful disagreement? A Different Perspective Superior attitudes can prevent genuine dialogue. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Facts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/facts/) [Illusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/illusion/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) ## Related quotes > [My notes have a curious tendency, as I realize at last, to annihilate all they purport to record.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-beckett/my-notes-have-a-curious-tendency-as-i-realize-at-last-to-annihilate/) [Samuel Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-beckett/) > [It is impossible to attain proper physical condition without being sound both mentally and morally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wooden/it-is-impossible-to-attain-proper-physical-condition-without-being/) [John Wooden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wooden/) > [A conservative is someone who does not think he is morally superior to his grandfather.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-howard/a-conservative-is-someone-who-does-not-think-he-is-morally-superior/) [John Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-howard/) > [I do think sometimes people get morally superior without understanding situations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sienna-miller/i-do-think-sometimes-people-get-morally-superior-without/) [Sienna Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sienna-miller/) > [“Although white women as a group lost the most in welfare reform, they got the one bone that's always been thrown to white working-…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-briggs/although-white-women-as-a-group-lost-the-most-in-welfare-reform-they/) [Laura Briggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-briggs/) > [There's an appeal to the American sense of exceptionalism, that we're morally superior, as way to not be self-critical. I think that's a bit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-franken/there-s-an-appeal-to-the-american-sense-of-exceptionalism-that-we-re/) [Al Franken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-franken/) > [Most activists on the Left believe that they, not only their values, are morally superior to their adversaries. Therefore, coercing people to adhere to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/most-activists-on-the-left-believe-that-they-not-only-their-values/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [In the early fight for women's rights, the point was not that women were morally superior or better. The conversation was about the difference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/in-the-early-fight-for-women-s-rights-the-point-was-not-that-women/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Resentment is not morally superior to earning money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-singer/resentment-is-not-morally-superior-to-earning-money/) [Paul Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-singer/) > [I am happy to accept that badge of ambivalence if that means some progress in dismantling this false opposition: writers boldly using their privileges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pankaj-mishra/i-am-happy-to-accept-that-badge-of-ambivalence-if-that-means-some/) [Pankaj Mishra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pankaj-mishra/) > [“The question that wins the world is not, how can we get our “morally superior” way enforced in the world? The question that wins…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-a-boyd/the-question-that-wins-the-world-is-not-how-can-we-get-our-morally/) [Gregory A. Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-a-boyd/) > [I've never believed that women have some special, essentialist qualities, or were more nurturing, cooperative, and morally superior.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-faludi/i-ve-never-believed-that-women-have-some-special-essentialist/) [Susan Faludi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-faludi/) > [Gun control: The theory that a woman found dead in an alley, raped and strangled with her panty hose, is somehow morally superior to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-neil-smith/gun-control-the-theory-that-a-woman-found-dead-in-an-alley-raped-and-2/) [L. Neil Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-neil-smith/) > [In the E.U., there are always morally superior people who think they have to educate the others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebastian-kurz/in-the-e-u-there-are-always-morally-superior-people-who-think-they/) [Sebastian Kurz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebastian-kurz/) > [“In demonstrating that humans behave with justice, tolerance, reason, love toward other forms of life, we are doing no more than demanding that humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-abbey/in-demonstrating-that-humans-behave-with-justice-tolerance-reason/) [Edward Abbey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-abbey/) ## More by Elbert Hubbard > [The teacher is one who makes two ideas grow where only one grew before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-teacher-is-one-who-makes-two-ideas-grow-where-only-one-grew-before/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The highest reward that God gives us for good work is the ability to do better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-highest-reward-that-god-gives-us-for-good-work-is-the-ability-to/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Art is nothing; it's a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/art-is-nothing-it-s-a-way/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Library: A place where the dead lie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/library-a-place-where-the-dead-lie/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [“If we cannot be happy and powerful and prey on others, we invent conscience and prey on ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/if-we-cannot-be-happy-and-powerful-and-prey-on-others-we-invent/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The poor and ignorant will continue to lie and steal as long as the rich and educated show them how.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-poor-and-ignorant-will-continue-to-lie-and-steal-as-long-as-the/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [So long as governments set the example of killing their enemies, private individuals will occasionally kill theirs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/so-long-as-governments-set-the-example-of-killing-their-enemies/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [If I supply you with a thought, you may remember it and you may not. But if I can make you think a thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/if-i-supply-you-with-a-thought-you-may-remember-it-and-you-may-not/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 A conservative is a man who is too cowardly to fight and too fat to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/1-2-3-4-5-a-conservative-is-a-man-who-is-too-cowardly-to-fight-and/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [The great man is not so great as folks think, and the dull man is not quite so stupid as he seems. The difference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-great-man-is-not-so-great-as-folks-think-and-the-dull-man-is-not/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Every knock is a boost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/every-knock-is-a-boost/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [What boy well raised can compare with your street gamin who has the knowledge and the shrewdness of a grown-up broker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/what-boy-well-raised-can-compare-with-your-street-gamin-who-has-the/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Don't make excuses, make good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/don-t-make-excuses-make-good/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [What people need and what they want may be very different… Teachers are those who educate the people to appreciate the things they need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/what-people-need-and-what-they-want-may-be-very-different-teachers/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) > [Men who sit back and pride themselves on their culture haven't any to speak of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/men-who-sit-back-and-pride-themselves-on-their-culture-haven-t-any-to/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) [Explore all 506 Elbert Hubbard quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) ## More Curious quotes > [“What about you? What do you do?” I needed to ask questions, draw him out. I needed to find out all the information I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-avery-ellison/what-about-you-what-do-you-do-i-needed-to-ask-questions-draw-him-out/) [Kate Avery Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-avery-ellison/) > [Okay, so I'll admit I'm curious. Big deal. We both know what that leads to. Dead cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/okay-so-i-ll-admit-i-m-curious-big-deal-we-both-know-what-that-leads/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [A garden has a curious innocent way of consuming cash while all the time you are under the illusion that you are spending nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-meynell/a-garden-has-a-curious-innocent-way-of-consuming-cash-while-all-the/) [Esther Meynell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-meynell/) > [“The process of becoming curious is the movement away from simply living by what and how, and moving into the beautifully ambiguous and possibility-laden…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/casey-tygrett/the-process-of-becoming-curious-is-the-movement-away-from-simply/) Casey Tygrett > [Real breakthroughs are not found because you want to develop some new technology, but because you are curious and want to find out how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-zeilinger/real-breakthroughs-are-not-found-because-you-want-to-develop-some-new/) [Anton Zeilinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-zeilinger/) > [I don't know what successful journaling really looks like... I think it really does look so different for everyone who does it, I'm always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gracie-abrams/i-don-t-know-what-successful-journaling-really-looks-like-i-think-it/) [Gracie Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gracie-abrams/) > [“So curious you must be. Like little calves poking their heads through the fence with big eyes and a headful of curiosity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carew-papritz/so-curious-you-must-be-like-little-calves-poking-their-heads-through/) [Carew Papritz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carew-papritz/) > [Our world is drowning in a sea of self-centeredness. You can make yourself quite unique right away by leaving this ocean of selfishness and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bytheway/our-world-is-drowning-in-a-sea-of-self-centeredness-you-can-make/) [John Bytheway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bytheway/) > [Be curious not judge mental](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknow/be-curious-not-judge-mental/) Unknow > [“It is curious how little interested we are in the sexual desires of those who do not attract us.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/it-is-curious-how-little-interested-we-are-in-the-sexual-desires-of/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [International friendly games are not worth the lives of the silk worms who perish to make the pennants. They do not even have the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danny-baker/international-friendly-games-are-not-worth-the-lives-of-the-silk/) [Danny Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danny-baker/) > [Natural history is not taught in seminary. This is curious, as most people in pastoral ministry are about 567 times more likely to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-maitland/natural-history-is-not-taught-in-seminary-this-is-curious-as-most/) [Sara Maitland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-maitland/) > [Easy, Curious George! Get your grubby hands off of that wheel!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cena/easy-curious-george-get-your-grubby-hands-off-of-that-wheel/) [John Cena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cena/) > [We want to explore. We're curious people. Look back over history, people have put their lives at stake to go out and explore ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eileen-collins/we-want-to-explore-we-re-curious-people-look-back-over-history-people/) [Eileen Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eileen-collins/) > [When I think about unique insight, what I think about is here's your opportunity to tell me something that I don't know.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-seibel/when-i-think-about-unique-insight-what-i-think-about-is-here-s-your/) [Michael Seibel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-seibel/) Browse all 2,160 Curious quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "It is a curious fact that of all the illusions that beset mankind none is quite so curious as that tendency to suppose that we are mentally and morally superior to those who differ from us in opinion.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Elbert Hubbard" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/it-is-a-curious-fact-that-of-all-the-illusions-that-beset-mankind/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Curious" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/it-is-a-curious-fact-that-of-all-the-illusions-that-beset-mankind/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/001/elbert-hubbard-510_curious_it-is-a-curious-fact-that-of-all-the-ill_1187617.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/001/elbert-hubbard-510_curious_it-is-a-curious-fact-that-of-all-the-ill_1187617.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/001/elbert-hubbard-510_curious_it-is-a-curious-fact-that-of-all-the-ill_1187617.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“It is a curious fact that of all the illusions that beset mankind none is quite so curious as that tendency…” — Elbert Hubbard", "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": "Elbert Hubbard", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "It is a curious fact that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/it-is-a-curious-fact-that-of-all-the-illusions-that-beset-mankind/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/it-is-a-curious-fact-that-of-all-the-illusions-that-beset-mankind/#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 } } ] } ```