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Memory Quote by Francis Bacon

“The general root of superstition : namely, that men observe when things hit, and not when they miss; and commit to memory the one, and forget and pass over the other.” quote by Francis Bacon
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““The general root of superstition : namely, that men observe when things hit, and not when they miss; and commit to memory the one, and forget and pass over the other.””

Francis Bacon

About This Quote

Source Essay: The Advancement of Learning, 1605

Superstition arises from remembering successes and ignoring failures, leading to biased conclusions.

In simple terms: People recall hits, forget misses, creating false beliefs.

Key Takeaway

Balance attention to both successes and failures.

Themes

bias superstition perception

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

philosophical educational

When to use this quote

  • scientific research
  • decision making
  • investing
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

cognitive bias memory critical thinking

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you ensure you learn from failures?
  • What strategies help you track missed opportunities?
A Different Perspective

Overemphasis on successes can cause overconfidence.

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