Belief Quote by William James
“To begin with our knowledge grows in spots. ..What you first gain, ... is probably a small amount of new information, a few new definitions, or distinctions, or points of view. But while these special ideas are being added, the rest of your knowledge stands still, and only gradually will you line up your previous opinions with the novelties I am trying to instill, and to modify to some slight degree their mass. ..Your mind in such processes is strained, and sometimes painfully so, between its older beliefs and the novelties which experience brings along.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Principles of Psychology, William James, 1890
Learning occurs in isolated bursts, causing tension between new ideas and existing beliefs, requiring gradual integration.
In simple terms: New knowledge arrives in chunks, creating strain as it reshapes old views.
Key Takeaway
Embrace the discomfort to grow.
Themes
learning
cognition
growth
conflict
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- studying new subjects
- adapting to workplace changes
- integrating feedback
- retraining skills
Key Concepts
constructivism
cognitive dissonance
schema adjustment
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile new information with long‑held beliefs?
- What strategies help ease cognitive strain?
A Different Perspective
Integration can be slow and may cause resistance or confusion.
![“Though we [Humanists] take a strict position on what constitutes knowledge, we are not critical of the source of ideas. Often intuitive feelings, hunches, speculation, and flashes of inspiration prove to be excellent sources of novel approaches, new ways of looking at things, new discoveries, and…” quote by Fred Edwords](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/28d/fred-edwords-80428_altered_though-we-humanists-take-a-strict-positi_2300891.jpg)
