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About this quote

What does it mean?
Common phrases like 'must' or 'of course' often signal weak reasoning. Treat them as warnings to verify claims yourself.
In plain terms
Watch out for cliches that hide lack of evidence.
What can you take from it?
Check claims that sound too certain.

Where it applies

  • meetings
  • reading news
  • negotiations

Putting it to work

  • ask for evidence
  • rephrase assumptions

Questions to consider

  • What phrases make you skeptical?
  • How do you verify common claims?

Another view

Sometimes standard phrases are used for efficiency not deception.

More from Robert A. Heinlein

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