--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We are terrible at seeking evidence that…" description: "\"“We are terrible at seeking evidence that challenges our own beliefs, but other people do us this favor, just as we are good at finding errors in other..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/629/maria-konnikova-3691_faith_we-are-terrible-at-seeking-evidence-that_454911.jpg" --- # We are terrible at seeking evidence that challenges our… ![“We are terrible at seeking evidence that challenges our own beliefs, but other people do us this favor, just as we are good at finding errors in other people’s beliefs.” quote by Maria Konnikova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/629/maria-konnikova-3691_faith_we-are-terrible-at-seeking-evidence-that_454911.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/629/maria-konnikova-3691_faith_we-are-terrible-at-seeking-evidence-that_454911.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/629/maria-konnikova-3691_faith_we-are-terrible-at-seeking-evidence-that_454911.jpg) > ““We are terrible at seeking evidence that challenges our own beliefs, but other people do us this favor, just as we are good at finding errors in other people’s beliefs.”” [Maria Konnikova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-konnikova/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People ignore evidence that contradicts their beliefs, yet they readily spot flaws in others’ ideas. **In simple terms:** People ignore evidence that challenges their own beliefs but easily see errors in others’ beliefs. Key Takeaway Seek disconfirming evidence actively. Themes cognition bias critical thinking self‑awareness Mood thoughtful analytical skeptical Type philosophical educational When to use this quote - political debate - scientific research - media consumption - personal decisions Key Concepts confirmation bias epistemic humility cognitive dissonance Questions to Reflect On - What evidence have you ignored that could change your view? - How can you create habits to test your own ideas? A Different Perspective It can be uncomfortable to confront one’s own errors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/faith/) ## Related quotes > [Information that confirms our beliefs makes us feel good; information that challenges our beliefs doesn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tristan-harris/information-that-confirms-our-beliefs-makes-us-feel-good-information/) [Tristan Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tristan-harris/) > [Do not be too severe upon the errors of the people, but reclaim them by enlightening them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/do-not-be-too-severe-upon-the-errors-of-the-people-but-reclaim-them/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“In science, you move closer to the truth by seeking evidence to the contrary. 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We sail on, blithely unaware of how much we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-konnikova/all-too-often-when-it-comes-to-our-own-minds-we-are-surprisingly/) [Maria Konnikova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-konnikova/) > [Holmes serves as an ideal model of how we can learn to see and think better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-konnikova/holmes-serves-as-an-ideal-model-of-how-we-can-learn-to-see-and-think/) [Maria Konnikova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-konnikova/) [Explore all 124 Maria Konnikova quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-konnikova/) ## More Faith quotes > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Eternal Trinity... mystery deep as the sea, You could give me no greater gift than the gift of Yourself. For You are a fire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-catherine-of-siena/eternal-trinity-mystery-deep-as-the-sea-you-could-give-me-no-greater/) [St. Catherine of Siena](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-catherine-of-siena/) > [Keep the faith, and keep going strong!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doreen-virtue/keep-the-faith-and-keep-going-strong/) [Doreen Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doreen-virtue/) > [It’s so important to create in your own voice, to hold onto what makes you unique, and have faith in your vision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lasseter/it-s-so-important-to-create-in-your-own-voice-to-hold-onto-what-makes/) [John Lasseter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lasseter/) > [Faith gives you a certain structure and meaning to your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/riffat-hassan/faith-gives-you-a-certain-structure-and-meaning-to-your-life/) Riffat Hassan > [Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-s-truman/democracy-is-based-on-the-conviction-that-man-has-the-moral-and/) [Harry S. 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Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [Holiness sincerity, and faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/holiness-sincerity-and-faith/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [“The only limitations for your life are the limiting beliefs in your mind. —Matt Morris”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-morris-1/the-only-limitations-for-your-life-are-the-limiting-beliefs-in-your/) Matt Morris (1 > [“Just because your faith is shaken doesn’t mean the faith is shaken. 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