Children Quote by Jack Finney
““I was stunned. I was, and I knew it, an ordinary person who long after he was grown retained the childhood assumption that the people who largely control our lives are somehow better informed than, and have judgment superior to, the rest of us; that they are more intelligent. Not until Vietnam did I finally realize that some of the most important decisions of all time can be made by men knowing really no more than, and who are not more intelligent than, most of the rest of us. That it was even possible that my own opinions and judgment could be as good as and maybe better than a politician's who made a decision of profound consequence.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Personal Reflection on Political Judgment, late 20th century
The author realizes that ordinary citizens can possess judgment equal to or better than politicians, challenging the belief that elites are inherently smarter.
In simple terms: Ordinary people can be as wise as leaders.
Key Takeaway
Trust your own judgment.
Themes
politics
confidence
critical thinking
democracy
self‑reliance
Mood
reflective
empowering
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- voting
- public discourse
- media consumption
- policy debate
- personal decision‑making
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
political skepticism
empowerment
Questions to Reflect On
- What evidence supports your own judgments?
- How can citizens improve their political literacy?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence may lead to misjudgment without proper information.
