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About this quote

What does it mean?
For every wise statement, there is usually another wise statement that contradicts it.
In plain terms
Wisdom often comes in pairs of opposing truths.
What can you take from it?
Balance opposing ideas to find truth.

Where it applies

  • decision-making
  • debate
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • seeking counterarguments
  • weighing pros and cons
  • mediation

Questions to consider

  • What common saying has an opposite truth?
  • How do you choose between conflicting advice?

Another view

Some truths are absolute and do not have valid opposites.

More from George Santayana

  1. A man's feet must be planted in his country but his eyes must survey the world.

    Permalink to quote #44
  2. Chaos is perhaps at the bottom of everything.

    Permalink to quote #46
  3. A child educated only at school is an uneducated child.

    Permalink to quote #43

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