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About this quote

What does it mean?
I vowed not to be swayed by sentiment or desire into unsupported beliefs.
In plain terms
Avoid letting feelings drive unsupported conclusions.
What can you take from it?
Base beliefs on solid evidence, not wishful thinking.

Where it applies

  • decision making
  • political opinions
  • personal relationships

Putting it to work

  • check facts before forming opinions
  • question emotional impulses

Questions to consider

  • How can we balance intuition and evidence?
  • When is sentiment a reliable guide?

Another view

Emotions can sometimes guide us toward valuable insights.

More from Bertrand Russell

  1. I cannot believe - and I say this with all the emphasis of which I am capable - that there can ever be any good excuse for refusing to face the evidence in fav…

    Permalink to quote #61
  2. Not enough evidence, God, not enough evidence.

    Permalink to quote #63
  3. Wherever one finds oneself inclined to bitterness, it is a sign of emotional failure: a larger heart, and a greater self-restraint, would put a calm autumnal s…

    Permalink to quote #60

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