Attention Quote by Joseph Butler
“People habituate themselves to let things pass through their minds, as one may speak, rather than to think of them. Thus by use they become satisfied merely with seeing what is said, without going any further. Review and attention, and even forming a judgment, becomes fatigue; and to lay anything before them that requires it, is putting them quite out of their way.”
About This Quote
Source Treatise: Sermons on Human Nature, 1736
People often let thoughts drift without deep engagement, leading to superficial understanding and mental fatigue.
In simple terms: Thinking shallowly causes fatigue.
Key Takeaway
Practice mindful, focused attention.
Themes
attention
mindfulness
critical thinking
mental fatigue
habit
Mood
contemplative
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- reading complex texts
- solving problems
- meditation
- decision making
Key Concepts
philosophy
psychology
cognitive science
Questions to Reflect On
- What habits help deepen attention?
- When does reflection become counterproductive?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on focus can cause burnout; balance needed.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
