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Here are some insightful and impactful quotes from The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli—a highly readable guide designed to expose the 99 most common cognitive biases, logical fallacies, and traps that skew human judgment.(Wikipedia)
🧠 Core Quotes
“News is to the mind what sugar is to the body: appetizing, easy to digest—and highly destructive in the long run.”
A powerful metaphor cautioning against overconsumption of sensationalist media.(MoveMeQuotes)
“We are incredibly well informed, yet we know incredibly little.”
Why: because news overload and surface-level knowledge distort deeper understanding.(MoveMeQuotes)
“Willpower is like a battery… If it is depleted, future challenges will falter.”
A reminder that self-control is finite—strategize your decisions accordingly.(MoveMeQuotes)
“Verbal expression is the mirror of the mind. Clear thoughts become clear statements…”
Clarity in thinking leads to clarity in communication.(MoveMeQuotes)
🧩 Bias-Specific Wisdom
Paradox of Choice
“When it is exceeded, a surfeit of choices destroys quality of life.”
Less can often lead to more satisfaction.(nonfictionsummary.com)
Liking Bias
“The more we like someone, the more inclined we are to buy from or help that person.”
Trust and empathy can influence decisions—intentionally.(nonfictionsummary.com)
Survivorship Bias
“If 50 million people say something foolish, it is still foolish.”
Avoid celebrating winners without acknowledging unseen failures.(thewisestwords.com)
Anchoring & Overconfidence
“The first number put forward anchors all subsequent discussions.”
And: “The more certain someone is, the less likely they are to be right.”
First impressions and overconfidence both cloud judgment.(thewisestwords.com)
Sunk-Cost Fallacy
“The past is irrelevant. Focus on what is best for the future.”
Don’t throw good resources after bad simply because you already invested.(thewisestwords.com)
“Never judge a decision purely by its result…”
A good outcome doesn’t guarantee a good process.(quotelers.com)
✨ Additional Thought-Provokers
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“Certain people make a living from their abilities… In some areas, chance is the deciding factor… So, give plumbers due respect and chuckle at successful financial jesters.”
A wry observation on skill versus luck.(Goodreads) -
“Invite at least one enemy to give you honest feedback about your strengths and weaknesses.”
Constructive criticism can be surprisingly helpful.(Goodreads) -
“We systematically overestimate spectacular outcomes while underestimating mundane, yet significant ones.”
We tend to recall flashy stories—but ignore subtle truths.(quotelers.com) -
“The human brain seeks patterns—and if none exist, it invents them.”
Our need for order can mislead us.(Goodreads)
🧾 Why These Quotes Matter
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They highlight common biases that affect most decision-makers.
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They offer practical reminders to avoid these mental fallacies.
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The book’s concise chapters and real-world examples make complex cognitive concepts accessible.(Reddit)
📋 Quick-Reference Table
| Bias or Theme | Insight |
|---|---|
| News & Information | Avoid overloading on sensational information. |
| Choice Overload | More options can lead to poorer satisfaction. |
| Social/Liking Bias | Emotional bonds affect objectivity. |
| Survivorship/Outcome Bias | Study failures, not just success stories. |
| Overconfidence & Anchoring | First impressions and certainty mislead. |
| Sunk Costs | Don’t let past investment dictate future decisions. |
Would you like:
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A curated set of quotes by theme (e.g. decision‑making, leadership)?
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A mini-guide on how to recognize and avoid each bias?
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Sample quotes for use in speeches, articles, or presentations?
Let me know—happy to tailor it to your needs!
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