--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The most important factor in the training…" description: "\"The most important factor in the training of good mental habits consists in acquiring the attitude of suspended conclusion, and in mastering the variou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/john-dewey-545_attitude_the-most-important-factor-in-the-trainin_2716606.jpg" --- # The most important factor in the training of good mental… ![“The most important factor in the training of good mental habits consists in acquiring the attitude of suspended conclusion, and in mastering the various methods of searching for new materials to corroborate or to refute the first suggestions that occur.” quote by John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/john-dewey-545_attitude_the-most-important-factor-in-the-trainin_2716606.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/john-dewey-545_attitude_the-most-important-factor-in-the-trainin_2716606.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/john-dewey-545_attitude_the-most-important-factor-in-the-trainin_2716606.jpg) > “The most important factor in the training of good mental habits consists in acquiring the attitude of suspended conclusion, and in mastering the various methods of searching for new materials to corroborate or to refute the first suggestions that occur.” [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Developing good mental habits requires suspending judgment and actively seeking evidence that supports or challenges initial ideas. **In simple terms:** Pause judgment, seek evidence. Key Takeaway Question assumptions before accepting. Themes critical thinking learning open-mindedness Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - education - research - decision making - personal growth Key Concepts Epistemology scientific method Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance openness with decisive action? - What evidence would change your view? A Different Perspective May lead to analysis paralysis if overused. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acquiring Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquiring-attitude-2850080/) [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Conclusion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conclusion/) [Factors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/factors/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Good man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-man/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Habits Consists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits-consists-2850081/) [Important](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/important/) [Libertarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/libertarian/) [Materials](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/materials/) [Mental Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mental-habits-501649/) [Method](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/method/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Suggestions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suggestions/) [Suspended](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suspended/) [Training](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training/) [Training Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/training-good-1367714/) [Various](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/various/) ## Related quotes > [Training is a good dog, a constant companion and an utterly loyal and devoted friend, and everyone should have one. Education is a nagging…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-mitchell/training-is-a-good-dog-a-constant-companion-and-an-utterly-loyal-and/) [Richard Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-mitchell/) > [I really love training and being in good shape, and it's so much a part of my life now, so it never really feels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brady/i-really-love-training-and-being-in-good-shape-and-it-s-so-much-a/) [Tom Brady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brady/) > [From my training I can get a good idea of what I'm capable of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-radcliffe/from-my-training-i-can-get-a-good-idea-of-what-i-m-capable-of/) [Paula Radcliffe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-radcliffe/) > [If you're playing, or not playing, training is always good to keep you young.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shahid-afridi/if-you-re-playing-or-not-playing-training-is-always-good-to-keep-you/) [Shahid Afridi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shahid-afridi/) > [The only way I can meet expectations of myself and what I think I am capable of is to make sure my game is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-buttler/the-only-way-i-can-meet-expectations-of-myself-and-what-i-think-i-am/) [Jos Buttler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-buttler/) > [If then a practical end must be assigned to a University course, I say it is that of training good members of society... It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-henry-newman/if-then-a-practical-end-must-be-assigned-to-a-university-course-i-say/) [John Henry Newman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-henry-newman/) > [“Finally, my mother's training will be put to good use. Never mind finding an eligible bachelor, I mean to find a murderer.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyxandra-harvey/finally-my-mother-s-training-will-be-put-to-good-use-never-mind/) [Alyxandra Harvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyxandra-harvey/) > [A suspension program like TRX provides consistency, is great for strength training, and you can do it anywhere, which is good for us because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-o-reilly/a-suspension-program-like-trx-provides-consistency-is-great-for/) [Heather O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-o-reilly/) > [Everything is good at Cobham. I really enjoy it here. I always have a bit of treatment in the morning, and then I go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-essien/everything-is-good-at-cobham-i-really-enjoy-it-here-i-always-have-a/) [Michael Essien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-essien/) > [To be in good moral condition requires at least as much training as to be in good physical condition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jawaharlal-nehru/to-be-in-good-moral-condition-requires-at-least-as-much-training-as/) [Jawaharlal Nehru](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jawaharlal-nehru/) > [Running is a mental sport, more than anything else. You're only as good as your training, and your training is only as good as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-oliver/running-is-a-mental-sport-more-than-anything-else-you-re-only-as-good/) [Lauren Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-oliver/) > [It is only your mental habits and your selected memories of how you think things are that keep you from moulding things in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-keyes-jr/it-is-only-your-mental-habits-and-your-selected-memories-of-how-you/) [Ken Keyes Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-keyes-jr/) > [“We are trying to retrain our responses and form mental habits that are kinder, gentler, and less fearful of others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/we-are-trying-to-retrain-our-responses-and-form-mental-habits-that/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) > [“We have negative mental habits that come up over and over again. One of the most significant negative habits we should be aware of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/we-have-negative-mental-habits-that-come-up-over-and-over-again-one/) [Thich Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/th-ch-nh-t-h-nh/) > [We all fall into biological and mental habits. It's an easy way for us to navigate day-to-day work and life, but it also doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/genesis-p-orridge/we-all-fall-into-biological-and-mental-habits-it-s-an-easy-way-for-us/) [Genesis P-Orridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/genesis-p-orridge/) ## More by John Dewey > [“The deepest urge in human nature is the desire to be important.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-deepest-urge-in-human-nature-is-the-desire-to-be-important/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [“Empirically, things are poignant, tragic, beautiful, humorous, settled, disturbed, comfortable, annoying, barren, harsh, consoling, splendid, fearful; are such immediately and in their own right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/empirically-things-are-poignant-tragic-beautiful-humorous-settled/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Experiences in order to be educative must lead out into an expanding world of subject matter, a subject matter of facts or information and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/experiences-in-order-to-be-educative-must-lead-out-into-an-expanding/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [A tribe, let us say, is warlike. The successes for which it strives, the achievements upon which it sets store, are connected with fighting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-tribe-let-us-say-is-warlike-the-successes-for-which-it-strives-the/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The phrase "think for one's self" is a pleonasm. Unless one does it for one's self, it isn't thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-phrase-think-for-one-s-self-is-a-pleonasm-unless-one-does-it-for/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Doctrine that eliminates or even obscures the function of choice of values and enlistment of desires and emotions in behalf of those chosen weakens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/doctrine-that-eliminates-or-even-obscures-the-function-of-choice-of/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [There is no such thing as educational value in the abstract. The notion that some subjects and methods and that acquaintance with certain facts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/there-is-no-such-thing-as-educational-value-in-the-abstract-the/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Men live in a community in virtue of the things which they have in common; and communication is the way in which they come…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/men-live-in-a-community-in-virtue-of-the-things-which-they-have-in/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [We can have facts without thinking but we cannot have thinking without facts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/we-can-have-facts-without-thinking-but-we-cannot-have-thinking/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [But progress in knowledge has made us aware of the superficiality of Plato's lumping of individuals and their original powers into a few sharply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/but-progress-in-knowledge-has-made-us-aware-of-the-superficiality-of/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Even the alleged benefits of war, so far as more than alleged, spring from the fact that conflict of peoples at least enforces intercourse…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/even-the-alleged-benefits-of-war-so-far-as-more-than-alleged-spring/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [“When the organization called soul is free, moving and operative, initial as well as terminal, it is spirit. Qualities are both static, substantial, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/when-the-organization-called-soul-is-free-moving-and-operative/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Since in reality there is nothing to which growth is relative save more growth, there is nothing to which education is subordinate save more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/since-in-reality-there-is-nothing-to-which-growth-is-relative-save/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [Creative thinking will improve as we relate the new fact to the old and all facts to each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/creative-thinking-will-improve-as-we-relate-the-new-fact-to-the-old/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) [Explore all 486 John Dewey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) ## More Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) [Isaiah Harden (Me](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaiah-harden-me/) > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) [Sheye Hassan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheye-hassan/) > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The most important factor in the training of good mental habits consists in acquiring the attitude of suspended conclusion, and in mastering the various methods of searching for new materials to corroborate or to refute the first suggestions that occur.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John Dewey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-most-important-factor-in-the-training-of-good-mental-habits/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-most-important-factor-in-the-training-of-good-mental-habits/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/john-dewey-545_attitude_the-most-important-factor-in-the-trainin_2716606.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/john-dewey-545_attitude_the-most-important-factor-in-the-trainin_2716606.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6d8/john-dewey-545_attitude_the-most-important-factor-in-the-trainin_2716606.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The most important factor in the training of good mental habits consists in acquiring the attitude of…” — John Dewey", "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": "John Dewey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The most important factor in the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-most-important-factor-in-the-training-of-good-mental-habits/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/the-most-important-factor-in-the-training-of-good-mental-habits/#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 } } ] } ```