Edison Quote by Joshua Reynolds
“There is no expedient to which a man will not resort to avoid the real labor of thinking. A favorite of Thomas Alva Edison”
About This Quote
Source Letter: Thomas Edison to Joshua Reynolds, 1885
People avoid the effort of thinking, preferring shortcuts, as noted by Edison.
In simple terms: People often choose easy fixes over deep thinking.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate critical thinking.
Themes
thinking
effort
shortcuts
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- education
- problem solving
- decision making
- creative work
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we resist mental effort?
- How can we value deep thought?
A Different Perspective
Complex problems sometimes require quick decisions.
![“If he [Thomas Edison] had a needle to find in a haystack, he would not stop to reason where it was most likely to be, but would proceed at once with the feverish diligence of a bee, to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search. ... [J]ust a little theory and calculation…” quote by Nikola Tesla](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/a00/nikola-tesla-1383_bees_if-he-thomas-edison-had-a-needle-to-find_97217.jpg)
