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About this quote

What does it mean?
Human beings often feel discomfort or fear when encountering a new idea.
In plain terms
New ideas can cause more pain than comfort.
What can you take from it?
Expect resistance when introducing something new.

Where it applies

  • innovation
  • learning
  • debate

Putting it to work

  • prepare for pushback
  • introduce ideas slowly

Questions to consider

  • Why do we fear new ideas?
  • How do you handle change?

Another view

Many people find new ideas exciting rather than painful.

More from Walter Bagehot

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  2. All the inducements of early society tend to foster immediate action; all its penalties fall on the man who pauses; the traditional wisdom of those times was n…

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  3. Free government is self-government. A government of the people by the people. The best government of this sort is that which the people think best.

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