Quote

In a sense, words are encyclopedias of ignorance because they freeze perceptions at one moment in history and then insist we continue to use these frozen perceptions when we should be doing better.

Edward de Bono

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Edward de Bono
Age: 88 †
Born: 1933
Born: May 19
Died: 2021
Died: June 9
Philosopher
Physician
Psychologist
University Teacher
Republic of Malta
Edward Charles Francis Publius de Bono
Words
Perceptions
Use
Freeze
History
Insist
Sense
Frozen
Moments
Perception
Better
Continue
Writing
Ignorance
Encyclopedias
Moment
Encyclopedia

More quotes by Edward de Bono

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As competition intensifies, the need for creative thinking increases. It is no longer enough to do the same thing better . . . no longer enough to be efficient and solve problems.
Edward de Bono
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Child mortality since 2000 is down by 2.65 million a year. That's a rate of 7,256 children's lives saved each day. ... It drives me nuts that most people don't seem to know this news.
Edward de Bono
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A discussion should be a genuine attempt to explore a subject rather than a battle between competing egos.
Edward de Bono
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You cannot look in a new direction by looking harder in the same direction.
Edward de Bono
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This new meta-system is very much in favor of the self, but a self that is based on a proper sense of dignity, not on an inflated ego. A person who dare not admit he is wrong inflates his ego but weakens his self.
Edward de Bono
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Creativity gives the possibility of some sort of achievement to everyone.
Edward de Bono
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Critical thinking does seem a superior sort of thinking because it seems as though the critic is actually going beyond the scope of what is being criticized in order to criticize it. That is only rarely a true assumption because, most often, the critic will seize on some little aspect that he or she understands and tackle only that.
Edward de Bono
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Our existing thinking habits are excellent, just as the rear wheels of a motor car are excellent, but not enough.
Edward de Bono
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Teaching thinking for just five hours to unemployed youngsters increased employment 500 percent.
Edward de Bono
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It is well known that problem avoidance is an important part of problem solving. Instead of solving the problem you go upstream and alter the system so that the problem does not occur in the first place.
Edward de Bono
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Explaining belief has alwayas been difficult. How do you explain a love and a logic at the heart of the universe when the world is so out of whack? Explaining faith is impossible - vision over visibility - instinct over intellect - a songwriter plays a chore with the faith that he will hear the next one in his head.
Edward de Bono
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Creativity makes life more fun and more interesting.
Edward de Bono
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It's not enough to rage against the lie.. you've got to replace it with the truth.
Edward de Bono
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The mind can only see what it is prepared to see.
Edward de Bono
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Studies have shown that 90% of error in thinking is due to error in perception. If you can change your perception, you can change your emotion and this can lead to new ideas.
Edward de Bono
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A characteristic of intuitive solutions and new ideas is that of being obvious once they are discovered.
Edward de Bono
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The solid wealth of insurance companies and the success of those who organsie gambling are some indication of the profits to be derived from the efficient use of chance.
Edward de Bono
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My thinking was taught to tribes in South Africa like the Zulus and Xhosas. At the time there were about 210 fights breaking out among them every month, but after they listened to my lessons, this fell to just four.
Edward de Bono
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It has always surprised me how little attention philosophers have paid to humor, since it is a more significant process of mind than reason. Reason can only sort out perceptions, but the humor process is involved in changing them.
Edward de Bono
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Most executives, many scientists, and almost all business school graduates believe that if you analyze data, this will give you new ideas. Unfortunately, this belief is totally wrong. The mind can only see what it is prepared to see.
Edward de Bono