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About this quote

What does it mean?
The human mind seeks unity and simplicity rather than handling too many conflicting ideas at once.
In plain terms
Our minds prefer one big plan over many separate ones.
What can you take from it?
Seek a coherent worldview to make sense of chaos.

Where it applies

  • learning complex subjects
  • worldview formation
  • problem solving

Putting it to work

  • building mental models
  • simplifying complexity
  • integrating knowledge

Questions to consider

  • Do you prefer one truth or many?
  • Is unity always possible?

Another view

This may oversimplify how humans actually process diverse information.

More from George Santayana

  1. The Difficult is that which can be done immediately; the Impossible that which takes a little longer.

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  2. The loftiest edifices need the deepest foundations.

    Permalink to quote #64
  3. Skepticism, like chastity, should not be relinquished too readily.

    Permalink to quote #61

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