Contrast Quote by Ludwig Wittgenstein
“What makes a subject difficult to understand if it is significant, important is not that some special instruction about abstruse things is necessary to understand it. Rather it is the contrast between the understanding of the subject and what most people want to see. Because of this the very things that are most obvious can become the most difficult to understand. What has to be overcome is not difficulty of the intellect but of the will.”
About This Quote
Source Philosophical Essay, 1953
Understanding difficulty stems from the gap between a subject’s significance and the audience’s willingness to engage, not from intellectual complexity.
In simple terms: Difficulty arises from lack of will, not intellect.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate willingness to confront challenging ideas.
Themes
philosophy
education
communication
Mood
thought‑provoking
instructive
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- teaching
- public speaking
- self‑study
- policy making
Key Concepts
motivation
cognitive bias
learning theory
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we resist important ideas?
- How can we bridge the will‑understanding gap?
A Different Perspective
May underestimate the role of motivation in learning.
