Common Quote by Henry David Thoreau
“There is absolutely no common sense, it is common non-sense.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Walden, 1854
Common sense is often mistaken for the opposite, highlighting the paradox of everyday logic.
In simple terms: Common sense can be nonsensical.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions about what feels obvious.
Themes
paradox
logic
perception
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- daily decisions
- policy debates
- education
- media analysis
Key Concepts
critical thinking
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- When have you followed a “common sense” belief that proved wrong?
- How do you test the validity of intuitive judgments?
A Different Perspective
Sometimes intuition misleads; not all “common” ideas are rational.
![“Neither Italian fascism nor German national "socialism" have anything in common with such a [Soviet socialistic] society, primarily because private ownership of factories, plants, lands, banks, means of transportation, etc., remain untouched there, and, therefore, capitalism in Germany and Italy…” quote by Joseph Stalin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/411/joseph-stalin-1734_capitalism_neither-italian-fascism-nor-german-natio_1430.jpg)
