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About this quote

What does it mean?
Ordinary minds tend to condemn things beyond their understanding.
In plain terms
People reject what they do not understand.
What can you take from it?
Avoid judging what you cannot comprehend.

Where it applies

  • innovation
  • education
  • debate

Putting it to work

  • seek to understand first
  • remain open-minded

Questions to consider

  • What have you dismissed without knowing?
  • Why is it hard to accept new ideas?

Another view

Sometimes skepticism is justified.

More from Francois de La Rochefoucauld

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  2. Le plus grand defaut de la penetration n'est pas de n'aller point jusqu'au but, c'est de le passer.

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  3. La jalousie nait toujours avec l'amour, mais elle ne meurt pas toujours avec lui.

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