--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Suggestion is generally better than…" description: "\"Suggestion is generally better than Definition. There is a seeming dogmatism about Definition that is often repellent, while Suggestion, on the contrar..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a26/maltbie-davenport-babcock-1209_boat_suggestion-is-generally-better-than-defi_2027084.jpg" --- # Suggestion is generally better than Definition. There is a… ![“Suggestion is generally better than Definition. There is a seeming dogmatism about Definition that is often repellent, while Suggestion, on the contrary, disarms suspicion and summons to co-operation and experiment. Definition provokes discussion. Suggestion provokes to love and good works…” quote by Maltbie Davenport Babcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a26/maltbie-davenport-babcock-1209_boat_suggestion-is-generally-better-than-defi_2027084.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a26/maltbie-davenport-babcock-1209_boat_suggestion-is-generally-better-than-defi_2027084.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a26/maltbie-davenport-babcock-1209_boat_suggestion-is-generally-better-than-defi_2027084.jpg) > “Suggestion is generally better than Definition. There is a seeming dogmatism about Definition that is often repellent, while Suggestion, on the contrary, disarms suspicion and summons to co-operation and experiment. Definition provokes discussion. Suggestion provokes to love and good works. Defining is limiting. Suggestion is enlarging. Defining calls a halt; Suggestion calls for an advance. Defining involves the peril of contentment: "I am here, I rest." "Thus far," says Definition, and draws a map. "Westward," cries Suggestion, and builds a boat.” [Maltbie Davenport Babcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maltbie-davenport-babcock/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Suggestion invites collaboration and experimentation, while rigid definitions can stifle creativity and foster complacency. **In simple terms:** Suggestion encourages cooperation; definitions can limit. Key Takeaway Prefer suggestion over strict definition. Themes creativity collaboration communication Mood inspirational thoughtful Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - team brainstorming - educational curricula - product design - policy making Key Concepts open‑ended thinking dogmatism innovation Questions to Reflect On - When is a firm definition essential? - How can suggestion and definition coexist? A Different Perspective Definitions are sometimes necessary for clarity and safety. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Boat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/boat/) [Contentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contentment/) [Contrary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/contrary/) [Cry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cry/) [Defining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defining/) [Definitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/definitions/) [Discussion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discussion/) [Dogmatism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dogmatism/) [Draws](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/draws/) [Experiments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/experiments/) [Good work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-work/) [Halt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/halt/) [Maps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/maps/) [Operations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/operations/) [Peril](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peril/) [Provoking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/provoking/) [Seeming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seeming/) [Suggestion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suggestion/) [Suggestion Contrary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suggestion-contrary-3702380/) [Suggestion Generally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suggestion-generally-3702378/) [Suggestion Provokes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suggestion-provokes-3702379/) [Suggestions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suggestions/) [Suspicion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suspicion/) ## Related quotes > [“I discovered that everything you do is in response to a request or a suggestion made to you by some other party either inside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flann-o-brien/i-discovered-that-everything-you-do-is-in-response-to-a-request-or-a/) [Flann O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flann-o-brien/) > [I sort of forgot about 'Z Channel' after it went off the air in 1989, but once Jason Resnick of Focus Features made the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-cassavetes/i-sort-of-forgot-about-z-channel-after-it-went-off-the-air-in-1989/) [Alexandra Cassavetes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-cassavetes/) > [All of the great leaders down through history have told us we become what we think about. In fact, they have been in complete…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-proctor/all-of-the-great-leaders-down-through-history-have-told-us-we-become/) [Bob Proctor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-proctor/) > [“people may give words of suggestion but in the end your words will the final”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rojade-silva/people-may-give-words-of-suggestion-but-in-the-end-your-words-will/) [rojade silva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rojade-silva/) > [My suggestion would be to walk away from the 90% who don't and join the 10% who do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/my-suggestion-would-be-to-walk-away-from-the-90-who-don-t-and-join/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [“If you are reading this, you will get what you want. Believe in yourself and that's inspiration.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chandan-sharma/if-you-are-reading-this-you-will-get-what-you-want-believe-in/) [Chandan Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chandan-sharma/) > [If you're going to knock down my suggestion, you'd better have one to replace it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-bracken/if-you-re-going-to-knock-down-my-suggestion-you-d-better-have-one-to/) [Alexandra Bracken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-bracken/) > [Do not order me, dare not to give some suggestion, i am on my way , without any love or passion. No, its not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/do-not-order-me-dare-not-to-give-some-suggestion-i-am-on-my-way/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [“The captain of this sailing vessel has requested a private audience with you in his quarters. 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There is a seeming dogmatism about Definition that is often repellent, while Suggestion, on the contrary, disarms suspicion and summons to co-operation and experiment. Definition provokes discussion. Suggestion provokes to love and good works. Defining is limiting. Suggestion is enlarging. Defining calls a halt; Suggestion calls for an advance. 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