--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: For millions upon millions of years…" description: "\"“For millions upon millions of years, feelings were the best algorithms in the world. Hence in the days of Confucius, of Muhammad or of Stalin, people ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/yuval-noah-harari-100_confucianism_for-millions-upon-millions-of-years-feel_3149974.jpg" --- # For millions upon millions of years, feelings were the… ![“For millions upon millions of years, feelings were the best algorithms in the world. Hence in the days of Confucius, of Muhammad or of Stalin, people should have listened to their feelings rather than to the teachings of Confucianism, Islam or communism. Yet” quote by Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/yuval-noah-harari-100_confucianism_for-millions-upon-millions-of-years-feel_3149974.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/yuval-noah-harari-100_confucianism_for-millions-upon-millions-of-years-feel_3149974.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/081/yuval-noah-harari-100_confucianism_for-millions-upon-millions-of-years-feel_3149974.jpg) > ““For millions upon millions of years, feelings were the best algorithms in the world. Hence in the days of Confucius, of Muhammad or of Stalin, people should have listened to their feelings rather than to the teachings of Confucianism, Islam or communism. Yet”” [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Throughout history, emotions have guided decisions more than formal doctrines; relying solely on feelings can be problematic. **In simple terms:** Emotions often outweigh rational teachings. Key Takeaway Balance emotion with critical thinking. Themes emotion history decision making philosophy Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal relationships - political leadership - education - mental health counseling Key Concepts cognitive bias cultural evolution ethical reasoning Questions to Reflect On - When should we trust feelings over logic? - How do cultural narratives shape our emotional responses? 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When you meet someone not as good as you are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/when-you-meet-someone-better-than-yourself-turn-your-thoughts-to/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Without an acquaintance with the rules of propriety, it is impossible for the character to be established](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/without-an-acquaintance-with-the-rules-of-propriety-it-is-impossible/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Therefore the superior man is watchful over himself, when he is alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/therefore-the-superior-man-is-watchful-over-himself-when-he-is-alone/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Is virtue a thing remote? I wish to be virtuous, and lo! Virtue is at hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/is-virtue-a-thing-remote-i-wish-to-be-virtuous-and-lo-virtue-is-at/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [“The House of the Venerable and Inscrutable Colonel was what they called it when they were speaking Chinese. Venerable because of his goatee, white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-stephenson/the-house-of-the-venerable-and-inscrutable-colonel-was-what-they/) [Neal Stephenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-stephenson/) > [“Premodern traditions of knowledge such as Islam, Christianity, Buddhism and Confucianism asserted that everything that is important to know about the world was already…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yuval-noah-harari/premodern-traditions-of-knowledge-such-as-islam-christianity-buddhism/) [Yuval Noah Harari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yuval-noah-harari/) > [The Way of the warrior does not include other ways, such as Confucianism, Buddhism, certain traditions, artistic accomplishments, and dancing. But even though these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miyamoto-musashi/the-way-of-the-warrior-does-not-include-other-ways-such-as/) [Miyamoto Musashi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miyamoto-musashi/) > [Chinese culture in general is not very religious. 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