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About this quote

What does it mean?
Following impractical theories would disrupt everything in the speaker's life.
In plain terms
Believing him would have changed everything in a messy way.
What can you take from it?
Impractical theories can cause chaos if accepted blindly.

Where it applies

  • making decisions
  • evaluating advice
  • planning projects

Putting it to work

  • strategy planning
  • risk assessment
  • decision making

Questions to consider

  • When is change worth the risk?
  • How do we test ideas before acting?

Another view

It values stability over innovation, which might limit progress.

More from Denis Diderot

  1. Although a man may wear fine clothing, if he lives peacefully; and is good, self-possessed, has faith and is pure; and if he does not hurt any living being, he…

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  2. Diderot took the ground that, if orthodox religion be true Christ was guilty of suicide. Having the power to defend himself he should have used it.

    Permalink to quote #93
  3. You have to make it happen.

    Permalink to quote #90

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