--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: [T]hough in all practical matters it is…" description: "\"“[T]hough in all practical matters it is indispensable, either always or mostly, to follow custom, to do what is generally done, in theoretical matters..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/370/leo-strauss-12446_critical-thinking_t-hough-in-all-practical-matters-it-is-i_3141990.jpg" --- # \[T\]hough in all practical matters it is indispensable… ![“[T]hough in all practical matters it is indispensable, either always or mostly, to follow custom, to do what is generally done, in theoretical matters it is simply untrue. In practical matters there is a right of the first occupant: what is established must be respected. In theoretical matters…” quote by Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/370/leo-strauss-12446_critical-thinking_t-hough-in-all-practical-matters-it-is-i_3141990.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/370/leo-strauss-12446_critical-thinking_t-hough-in-all-practical-matters-it-is-i_3141990.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/370/leo-strauss-12446_critical-thinking_t-hough-in-all-practical-matters-it-is-i_3141990.jpg) > ““\[T\]hough in all practical matters it is indispensable, either always or mostly, to follow custom, to do what is generally done, in theoretical matters it is simply untrue. In practical matters there is a right of the first occupant: what is established must be respected. In theoretical matters this cannot be. Differently stated: The rule of practice is 'let sleeping dogs lie,' do not disturb the established. In theoretical matters the rule is 'do not let sleeping dogs lie.' Therefore, we cannot defer to precedent . . . .”” [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Practical matters rely on tradition, but theoretical inquiry must challenge established ideas. **In simple terms:** Tradition guides practice; theory must question it. Key Takeaway Question assumptions in theory. Themes tradition theory critical thinking Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type philosophical analytical When to use this quote - academic research - policy design - innovation - legal reform Key Concepts philosophy epistemology methodology Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance respect for tradition with the need for new ideas? - When should we prioritize theory over practice? A Different Perspective Challenging tradition can face resistance and uncertainty. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Critical thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critical-thinking/) [Defer Precedent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defer-precedent-5603583/) [Fallacies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fallacies/) [Leo-strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leo-strauss-105810/) [Logic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/logic/) [Matters Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/matters-rule-5603584/) [Precedent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/precedent/) [Rule Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rule-practice-4054826/) [Stated Rule](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stated-rule-5603582/) ## Related quotes > [“There is a remarkable sentence of Pascal according to which we know too little to be dogmatists and too much to be skeptics, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/there-is-a-remarkable-sentence-of-pascal-according-to-which-we-know/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [“A primary rule of practice is meditation with no objects or anchors. Just concentrate on the breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toshimi-a-kayaki/a-primary-rule-of-practice-is-meditation-with-no-objects-or-anchors/) [Toshimi A. 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Men killing men on the largest scale in broad daylight and with the greatest serenity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/but-what-is-the-core-of-the-political-men-killing-men-on-the-largest/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [“Todo ser humano y toda sociedad es lo que es en virtud de su máxima aspiración. La ciudad, si es sana, aspira no a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/todo-ser-humano-y-toda-sociedad-es-lo-que-es-en-virtud-de-su-m-xima/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [“Only a great fool would call the new political science diabolic: it has no attributes peculiar to fallen angels. 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It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/liberal-education-which-consists-in-the-constant-intercourse-with-the/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [Education to perfect gentlemanship, to human excellence, liberal education consists in reminding oneself of human excellence, of human greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/education-to-perfect-gentlemanship-to-human-excellence-liberal/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [The contemporary rejection of natural right leads to nihilism — nay, it is identical with nihilism,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/the-contemporary-rejection-of-natural-right-leads-to-nihilism-nay-it/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) > [When speaking of a "body of knowledge" or of "the results of research," e.g., we tacitly assign the same cognitive status to inherited knowledge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-strauss/when-speaking-of-a-body-of-knowledge-or-of-the-results-of-research-e/) [Leo Strauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) [Explore all 55 Leo Strauss quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-strauss/) ## More Critical thinking quotes > [Majority decisions tend to be made without engaging the systematic thought and critical thinking skills of the individuals in the group. 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Borg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-j-borg/) > [ Simply disabling specific critical thinking skills is all that is necessary for the god virus \[to take control of a person\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrel-ray/simply-disabling-specific-critical-thinking-skills-is-all-that-is/) [Darrel Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrel-ray/) > [“You know, I don't believe that religions are religions. No, I believe they are philosophies with some good ideas and some fuckin' weird ones.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-izzard/you-know-i-don-t-believe-that-religions-are-religions-no-i-believe/) [Eddie Izzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-izzard/) > [“critical thinking Scenario 1 Mrs. Hernandez is an 85-yearold female admitted to surgery for insertion of a hip prosthesis to treat a hip fracture.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-snyder/critical-thinking-scenario-1-mrs-hernandez-is-an-85-yearold-female/) [Katherine Snyder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-snyder/) > [We put too much of a premium on presenting and not enough on substance and critical thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-cain/we-put-too-much-of-a-premium-on-presenting-and-not-enough-on/) [Susan Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-cain/) > [Capricorns think they know whats best for everyone and their overcritical thinking may sometimes bother the people they love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/capricorns-think-they-know-whats-best-for-everyone-and-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“A politician often uses an example or analogy as an attempt to make us forget the question he or she is supposedly answering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/a-politician-often-uses-an-example-or-analogy-as-an-attempt-to-make/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“Educators and psychologists have a mantra these days: No matter how hectic the schedules of your family members may be, make time to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-lythcott-haims/educators-and-psychologists-have-a-mantra-these-days-no-matter-how/) [Julie Lythcott-Haims](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-lythcott-haims/) > [The truth is that family values, as used by the American Family Association, Dan Quayle, and the southern Baptists, has nothing to do with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morris-sullivan/the-truth-is-that-family-values-as-used-by-the-american-family/) [Morris Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morris-sullivan/) > [“You must be able to say, with reasonable certainty, "I understand," before you can say "I agree," or "I disagree," or "I suspend judgment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mortimer-j-adler/you-must-be-able-to-say-with-reasonable-certainty-i-understand-before/) [Mortimer J. 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