Quotable Quotes: 6 Reasons To Think
by Miki SaxonIt seems to me that more people spend less time thinking then at any previous time in history.
They’re more interested in Michael Jackson’s estate than their state’s budget problems; they choose for whom to vote based on attractiveness and clothes; social media fills all their time with thousands of friends to whom they tweet, but don’t talk…
“Language is a wonderful thing. It can be used to express thoughts, to conceal thoughts, but more often, to replace thinking.” –Anon
Then there are those who treat thought and action like marriage and kids—they no longer know which comes first or that they should go together…
“Failures are divided into two classes –those who thought and never did, and those who did and never thought.” –John Charles
Or you might prefer this version…
“A thought which does not result in an action is nothing much, and an action which does not proceed from a thought is nothing at all.” –Anon
Of course, there are those who expect the wonks to supply the roadmap and have no idea what to do when they don’t…
“When policy fails try thinking.” Or abscond to ideology, which precludes all thinking.
Here are words of wisdom for those who still believe that ‘leaders’ can solve the world’s ills, instead of causing them; one can only hope they are taken to heart…
“Avoid the crowd. Do your own thinking independently. Be the chess player, not the chess piece.”
Finally, if none of the above has sunk in I’ll go straight to the heart of the subject…
“A man [or woman] who does not think for himself does not think at all.”
Your comments—priceless
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Image credit: SteveD’s cartoon by Wonderlane on flickr
July 5th, 2009 at 5:25 am
While I love these quotes — I take issue with the idea that to embrace ideology means to abandon thinking.
I’d like to think that the ideology I embrace is an indication of my thinking.
July 5th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Well, that quote was mine, which makes it my opinion, since I’m not a pundit:)
Your experience may be different, but I’ve found that those who espouse a particular ideology are usually dogmatic and closed to any alternative thinking. Their responses are usually predictable and follow the thread of whatever ideology they have chosen, with no individual thought given that there may be other, valid sides to the subject.
To my mind, being closed minded doesn’t lend itself to thinking, which, as I said earlier, is only my opinion.
However, my opinion and $5 bucks will still buy you a large coffee at Starbucks (I think:)
Thanks for adding your thoughts, Marvin; as always they add another dimension to the conversation.
July 7th, 2009 at 3:11 am
I think that being open to other opinions often comes with maturity and experience. In my younger days, I tended to be more dogmatic and narrow in my thinking. As I have met more people, gone more places, and interacted with more opinions and points of view, I have found that my old ways of thinking don’t fit anymore. Thanks, Miki, for giving me something to think about… as always…
July 7th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Hi Becky, if that’s the case there is an alarming increase in the number of immature adults out there. Dogmatic attitudes seem to be the flavor du jour.