Dead people Quote by Terry Pratchett
“You did something because it had always been done, and the explanation was, ‘But we’ve always done it this way.’ A million dead people can’t have been wrong, can they?”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Discworld series, 1990s
Blindly following tradition can perpetuate errors, even when many have accepted them.
In simple terms: Tradition can be wrong despite popularity.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions and seek evidence.
Themes
tradition
critical thinking
authority
history
Mood
skeptical
reflective
Type
philosophical
critical
When to use this quote
- workplace policies
- organizational change
- public health guidelines
- education curricula
Key Concepts
social conformity
groupthink
cognitive bias
Questions to Reflect On
- What tradition do you accept without questioning?
- How can you test its validity?
A Different Perspective
Changing long‑standing habits often meets resistance from entrenched interests.
