Apes Quote by Richard P. Feynman
![“When you're thinking about something that you don't understand, you have a terrible, uncomfortable feeling called confusion... Now, is the confusion's because we're all some kind of apes that are kind of stupid working against this, trying to figure out [how] to put the two sticks together to…” quote by Richard P. Feynman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/066/richard-p-feynman-495_apes_when-you-re-thinking-about-something-tha_1248817.jpg)
“When you're thinking about something that you don't understand, you have a terrible, uncomfortable feeling called confusion... Now, is the confusion's because we're all some kind of apes that are kind of stupid working against this, trying to figure out [how] to put the two sticks together to reach the banana and we can't quite make it... So I always feel stupid. Once in a while, though, the sticks go together on me and I reach the banana.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Pleasure of Finding Things Out, 1999
Confusion signals a gap in understanding; persistence eventually aligns pieces, leading to insight.
In simple terms: Confusion shows learning gaps; persistence solves them.
Key Takeaway
Embrace confusion as a step toward clarity.
Themes
learning
confusion
perseverance
insight
problem solving
Mood
curious
determined
Type
educational
motivational
When to use this quote
- studying
- research
- skill acquisition
- creative problem solving
Key Concepts
cognitive development
growth mindset
neuroscience
Questions to Reflect On
- What strategies help you overcome confusion?
- How do you know when to persist versus seek help?
A Different Perspective
Not all confusion resolves quickly; some may persist despite effort.
![“Perhaps no order of mammals presents us with so extraordinary a series of gradations as this [step by step, from humans to apes to monkeys to lemurs] - leading us insensibly from the crown and summit of the animal creation down to creatures, from which there is but a step, as it seems, to the…” quote by Thomas Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f0b/thomas-huxley-1183_animal_perhaps-no-order-of-mammals-presents-us_3051.jpg)
