--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A long habit of not thinking a thing…" description: "\"A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of cus..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/135/thomas-paine-267_appearance_a-long-habit-of-not-thinking-a-thing-wro_2771983.jpg" --- # A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a… ![“A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.” quote by Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/135/thomas-paine-267_appearance_a-long-habit-of-not-thinking-a-thing-wro_2771983.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/135/thomas-paine-267_appearance_a-long-habit-of-not-thinking-a-thing-wro_2771983.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/135/thomas-paine-267_appearance_a-long-habit-of-not-thinking-a-thing-wro_2771983.jpg) > “A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong, gives it a superficial appearance of being right, and raises at first a formidable outcry in defense of custom. But the tumult soon subsides. Time makes more converts than reason.” [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Repeatedly accepting flawed ideas makes them seem correct until change eventually prevails. **In simple terms:** Habit can mask errors until time reveals truth. Key Takeaway Question long‑standing assumptions. Themes tradition critical thinking change Mood reflective critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - politics - science - cultural norms Key Concepts cognitive bias social conformity historical inertia Questions to Reflect On - What assumptions have you accepted without question? - How can you test long‑held beliefs? A Different Perspective Changing entrenched habits is difficult. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Appearance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/appearance/) [Common](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common/) [Common sense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/common-sense/) [Defense](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense/) [Firsts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/firsts/) [Formidable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/formidable/) [Formidable Outcry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/formidable-outcry-3248103/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Habit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit/) [Habit Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habit-thinking-306175/) [Habits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/habits/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Pain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pain/) [Raises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/raises/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Subsides Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subsides-time-3248104/) [Superficial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/superficial/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Vegan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/vegan/) ## Related quotes > [“a long habit of not thinking a thing WRONG, gives it a superficial appearance of being RIGHT, and raises at first a formidable outcry…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/a-long-habit-of-not-thinking-a-thing-wrong-gives-it-a-superficial/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“PERHAPS the sentiments contained in the following pages, are not yet sufficiently fashionable to procure them general favor; a long habit of not thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/perhaps-the-sentiments-contained-in-the-following-pages-are-not-yet/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [A long habit of not thinking a thing wrong gives it a superficial appearance of being right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/a-long-habit-of-not-thinking-a-thing-wrong-gives-it-a-superficial-2/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [When an objection cannot be made formidable, there is some policy in trying to make it frightful; and to substitute the yell and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/when-an-objection-cannot-be-made-formidable-there-is-some-policy-in/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason. 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Hirsch Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-hirsch-jr-2/) > [“The habit of thinking in terms of comparison is a fatal one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-habit-of-thinking-in-terms-of-comparison-is-a-fatal-one/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) ## More by Thomas Paine > [“No man is prejudiced in favour of a thing, knowing it to be wrong. 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