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About this quote

What does it mean?
Thinking too little or too much both make us stubborn and fanatical.
In plain terms
Both under‑thinking and over‑thinking lead to obstinacy and fanaticism.
What can you take from it?
Seek balanced, reflective thinking.

Where it applies

  • decision making
  • debate
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • set time limits for analysis
  • practice open‑mindedness

Questions to consider

  • How to recognize when you’re over‑thinking?
  • When is quick judgment appropriate?

Another view

Sometimes deep thinking is necessary for complex problems.

More from Blaise Pascal

  1. There no doubt exist natural laws, but once this fine reason of ours was corrupted, it corrupted everything.

    Permalink to quote #53
  2. This is what I see, and what troubles me. I look on all sides, and everywhere I see nothing but obscurity. Nature offers me nothing that is not a matter of dou…

    Permalink to quote #55
  3. The wisest reason takes as her own principles those which the imagination of man has everywhere rashly introduced.

    Permalink to quote #52

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