Abstraction Quote by William Hazlitt
“Persons without education certainly do not want either acuteness or strength of mind in what concerns themselves, or in things immediately within their observation; but they have no power of abstraction, no general standard of taste, or scale of opinion. They see their objects always near, and never in the horizon. Hence arises that egotism which has been remarked as the characteristic of self-taught men.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "On the Education of the Mind" by William Hazlitt, 1816
Lack of formal education limits abstract thinking, leading to narrow, egocentric perspectives.
In simple terms: Without education, thinking stays concrete and self‑centered.
Key Takeaway
Pursue learning to broaden perspective.
Themes
education
abstraction
ego
perception
intellectual growth
Mood
reflective
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- schooling
- self‑study
- professional training
- creative problem solving
Key Concepts
Cognitive development
critical thinking
self‑awareness
Questions to Reflect On
- What habits can develop abstract thinking without formal schooling?
- How does ego affect learning?
A Different Perspective
Self‑taught individuals can still achieve depth through disciplined study.
