--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Always make the choice to learn. What…" description: "\"Always make the choice to learn. What Princeton taught me was whatever mess you are studying, pull a thread with great persistence 'til you have clarit..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/maria-ressa-11796_clarity-of-thought_always-make-the-choice-to-learn-what-pri_809403.jpg" --- # Always make the choice to learn. What Princeton taught me… ![“Always make the choice to learn. What Princeton taught me was whatever mess you are studying, pull a thread with great persistence 'til you have clarity of thought. Princeton taught me how to solve a problem. How to think - that's what we pull out of this place.” quote by Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/maria-ressa-11796_clarity-of-thought_always-make-the-choice-to-learn-what-pri_809403.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/maria-ressa-11796_clarity-of-thought_always-make-the-choice-to-learn-what-pri_809403.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2ee/maria-ressa-11796_clarity-of-thought_always-make-the-choice-to-learn-what-pri_809403.jpg) > “Always make the choice to learn. What Princeton taught me was whatever mess you are studying, pull a thread with great persistence 'til you have clarity of thought. Princeton taught me how to solve a problem. How to think - that's what we pull out of this place.” [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Learning requires persistent focus on a single thread of a problem until clarity emerges. **In simple terms:** Persistently follow a thread to understand. Key Takeaway Stay focused, pull the thread. Themes education perseverance clarity Mood motivational inspirational Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - research - academic study - career development Key Concepts problem solving critical thinking Questions to Reflect On - What thread are you chasing? - When do you step back for broader view? A Different Perspective Over‑focus can cause tunnel vision. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Clarity of thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clarity-of-thought/) [Education](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/education/) [Persistence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persistence/) ## Related quotes > [A Princeton education sets you up for life: you have learned how to learn, and at a time when technology has changed everything, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/a-princeton-education-sets-you-up-for-life-you-have-learned-how-to/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [I was bitterly resentful, but somehow greatly relieved. And I respected him enormously for his clarity of thought, his obvious caring, and his unwillingness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/i-was-bitterly-resentful-but-somehow-greatly-relieved-and-i-respected/) [Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/) > [“Realize clarity from calamity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-f-hodge/realize-clarity-from-calamity/) [T.F. Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-f-hodge/) > [If the director has clarity of thought and vision, you are bound to just go ahead and do what he wants to do. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manoj-bajpayee/if-the-director-has-clarity-of-thought-and-vision-you-are-bound-to/) [Manoj Bajpayee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manoj-bajpayee/) > [Fearless means trusting your instincts and clarity of thought. Once you have made up your mind, don't be scared of what if.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shastri/fearless-means-trusting-your-instincts-and-clarity-of-thought-once/) [Ravi Shastri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shastri/) > [“from the short story, Cielo Azul “Harry, get an ambulance.” I stood up and stepped back from the scene. I felt my chest growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-connelly/from-the-short-story-cielo-azul-harry-get-an-ambulance-i-stood-up-and/) [Michael Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-connelly/) > [“Simply put, meditation is the path to clarity, compassion, and a path of wisdom leading to the eradication of suffering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/simply-put-meditation-is-the-path-to-clarity-compassion-and-a-path-of/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [“A clearheaded man might think that his body is telling him something. But clarity of thought is not something with which I have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ellis/a-clearheaded-man-might-think-that-his-body-is-telling-him-something/) David Ellis > [“Clear synapses are like driving in Ireland. You hit a straight-away and you gun it, cos you know it's not going to last long.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-kelley-harrell/clear-synapses-are-like-driving-in-ireland-you-hit-a-straight-away/) [S. Kelley Harrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-kelley-harrell/) > [I don't know how you feel, but I feel like writing, clarity of thought, and truth have been validated because we see what happens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/i-don-t-know-how-you-feel-but-i-feel-like-writing-clarity-of-thought/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [“Definitions create conditions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-korzybski/definitions-create-conditions/) [Alfred Korzybski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-korzybski/) > [There is one solution to all of our problems: Teaching our kids clarity of thought and political representation in democracy. That's it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/there-is-one-solution-to-all-of-our-problems-teaching-our-kids/) [Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/) > [“Death paused, his hand on the spine of the book. And why do you think I directed you to the stables? think carefully, now.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/death-paused-his-hand-on-the-spine-of-the-book-and-why-do-you-think-i/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [“Do not drift to deviate in life for tears, instead steer with the right gear of clarity, focus, and purpose; That is where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ebinezar-gnanasekaran/do-not-drift-to-deviate-in-life-for-tears-instead-steer-with-the/) Ebinezar Gnanasekaran > [“I honour the clarity of the present moment, and the stillness at the centre of being (mine & others), even in the midst of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/i-honour-the-clarity-of-the-present-moment-and-the-stillness-at-the/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) ## More by Maria Ressa > [Without facts you can't have truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/without-facts-you-can-t-have-truth/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [When you're on social media, your brain is being rewired.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/when-you-re-on-social-media-your-brain-is-being-rewired/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [I don't think we have wrapped our heads around how much technology has allowed the manipulation of individuals and democracies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/i-don-t-think-we-have-wrapped-our-heads-around-how-much-technology/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [You cannot succeed if at some point you haven't failed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/you-cannot-succeed-if-at-some-point-you-haven-t-failed/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [To deal with COVID-19, countries like India, Brazil, Jordan and Thailand are cutting press freedom and freedom of expression. In nations like Israel, South…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/to-deal-with-covid-19-countries-like-india-brazil-jordan-and-thailand/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [How well we survive this time of creative destruction, it really is, depends on each of us, on each of us fighting our individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/how-well-we-survive-this-time-of-creative-destruction-it-really-is/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [All through my life, when faced with a difficult decision, I always ask myself - where can I learn more. Make the choice to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/all-through-my-life-when-faced-with-a-difficult-decision-i-always-ask/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [I'm not a politician; I'm a journalist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/i-m-not-a-politician-i-m-a-journalist/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [In a weird way, I'm a good target for the government, because I can push back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/in-a-weird-way-i-m-a-good-target-for-the-government-because-i-can/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [I work too hard, I'd be a really bad mom, unfortunately. I can't even keep a plant!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/i-work-too-hard-i-d-be-a-really-bad-mom-unfortunately-i-can-t-even/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [“Anyone who stood up to the lies spreading over pro-Duterte and pro-Marcos disinformation networks was gaslit, or told they were crazy. What the bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/anyone-who-stood-up-to-the-lies-spreading-over-pro-duterte-and-pro/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [Embrace your fear. Imagine what you're most afraid of, touch it and hold it so that you rob it of its power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/embrace-your-fear-imagine-what-you-re-most-afraid-of-touch-it-and/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [Journalism has a check-and-balance effect to those in power, and those in power submitted themselves to it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/journalism-has-a-check-and-balance-effect-to-those-in-power-and-those/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [I run Rappler, an online news site in the Philippines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/i-run-rappler-an-online-news-site-in-the-philippines/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) > [If I lose these tax-evasion cases and others filed by the Philippine government, I could go to jail for 10 to 15 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-ressa/if-i-lose-these-tax-evasion-cases-and-others-filed-by-the-philippine/) [Maria Ressa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) [Explore all 58 Maria Ressa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-ressa/) ## More Clarity of thought quotes > [“I honour the clarity of the present moment, and the stillness at the centre of being (mine & others), even in the midst of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-woodman/i-honour-the-clarity-of-the-present-moment-and-the-stillness-at-the/) [Jay Woodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-woodman/) > [“Do not drift to deviate in life for tears, instead steer with the right gear of clarity, focus, and purpose; That is where the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ebinezar-gnanasekaran/do-not-drift-to-deviate-in-life-for-tears-instead-steer-with-the/) Ebinezar Gnanasekaran > [“Death paused, his hand on the spine of the book. And why do you think I directed you to the stables? think carefully, now.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/death-paused-his-hand-on-the-spine-of-the-book-and-why-do-you-think-i/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [There is one solution to all of our problems: Teaching our kids clarity of thought and political representation in democracy. That's it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dreyfuss/there-is-one-solution-to-all-of-our-problems-teaching-our-kids/) [Richard Dreyfuss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dreyfuss/) > [“Definitions create conditions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alfred-korzybski/definitions-create-conditions/) [Alfred Korzybski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alfred-korzybski/) > [I don't know how you feel, but I feel like writing, clarity of thought, and truth have been validated because we see what happens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/i-don-t-know-how-you-feel-but-i-feel-like-writing-clarity-of-thought/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [“Clear synapses are like driving in Ireland. You hit a straight-away and you gun it, cos you know it's not going to last long.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-kelley-harrell/clear-synapses-are-like-driving-in-ireland-you-hit-a-straight-away/) [S. Kelley Harrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-kelley-harrell/) > [“A clearheaded man might think that his body is telling him something. But clarity of thought is not something with which I have a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ellis/a-clearheaded-man-might-think-that-his-body-is-telling-him-something/) David Ellis > [“Simply put, meditation is the path to clarity, compassion, and a path of wisdom leading to the eradication of suffering.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/simply-put-meditation-is-the-path-to-clarity-compassion-and-a-path-of/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [“from the short story, Cielo Azul “Harry, get an ambulance.” I stood up and stepped back from the scene. I felt my chest growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-connelly/from-the-short-story-cielo-azul-harry-get-an-ambulance-i-stood-up-and/) [Michael Connelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-connelly/) > [Fearless means trusting your instincts and clarity of thought. Once you have made up your mind, don't be scared of what if.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-shastri/fearless-means-trusting-your-instincts-and-clarity-of-thought-once/) [Ravi Shastri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-shastri/) > [If the director has clarity of thought and vision, you are bound to just go ahead and do what he wants to do. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manoj-bajpayee/if-the-director-has-clarity-of-thought-and-vision-you-are-bound-to/) [Manoj Bajpayee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manoj-bajpayee/) > [“Realize clarity from calamity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-f-hodge/realize-clarity-from-calamity/) [T.F. Hodge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-f-hodge/) > [I was bitterly resentful, but somehow greatly relieved. And I respected him enormously for his clarity of thought, his obvious caring, and his unwillingness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kay-redfield-jamison/i-was-bitterly-resentful-but-somehow-greatly-relieved-and-i-respected/) [Kay Redfield Jamison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kay-redfield-jamison/) > [I like ruins because what remains is not the total design, but the clarity of thought, the naked structure, the spirit of the thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tadao-ando/i-like-ruins-because-what-remains-is-not-the-total-design-but-the/) [Tadao Ando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tadao-ando/) [Browse all 42 Clarity of thought quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/clarity-of-thought/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Always make the choice to learn. 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