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Acquaintance Quote by William James

“An unlearned carpenter of my acquaintance once said in my hearing: "There is very little difference between one man and another; but what little there is, is very important." This distinction seems to me to go to the root of the matter.” quote by William James
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“An unlearned carpenter of my acquaintance once said in my hearing: "There is very little difference between one man and another; but what little there is, is very important." This distinction seems to me to go to the root of the matter.”

William James

About This Quote

Source Book: The Principles of Psychology, William James, 1890

People are fundamentally similar, yet small differences matter greatly in shaping outcomes.

In simple terms: Small differences matter.

Key Takeaway

Notice and respect subtle distinctions.

Themes

individuality psychology human nature

Mood

thoughtful analytical

Type

philosophical observational

When to use this quote

  • team dynamics
  • personal relationships
  • leadership decisions
  • conflict resolution

Key Concepts

personal identity significance of nuance

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you recognize subtle differences in others?
  • When might focusing on differences hinder unity?
A Different Perspective

Differences can be overlooked, leading to overgeneralization.

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