Reason Quotes
Robert Greene and Reason are fundamentally linked through his extensive research into the mechanics of human behavior and strategic success. Greene posits that while humans like to believe they are rational creatures, we are actually deeply governed by primitive emotions and ingrained biases. In his seminal work, 'The Laws of Human Nature,' he dedicates significant attention to the 'Law of Irrationality,' arguing that our first step toward true reason is acknowledging our inherent emotional nature. For Greene, reason is not an innate trait but a hard-won skill that requires constant vigilance, self-reflection, and the discipline to step back from the immediate pressures of the ego and the environment.
"You do not want to be a cold, calculating machine, but you want to have a balance where reason is the preeminent force."
"As far as science has been able to determine, the entire universe consists of but two elements--matter and energy. Through the combination of energy and matter, has been created everything perceptible to man, from the largest star which floats in the heavens, down to, and including man, himself. p. 64"
"A man becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought evolved being, for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene."
"There's literally no difference between a physician recognizing a disease from a "facial expression", and a little child pointing to something and saying "doggie". Talks at Google - Nov 10, 2011"
"Most people are locked in the present moment. Reason allows you to see the long-term consequences of your actions."
"It took Francis Galton several years to figure out that correlation and regression are not two concepts – they are different perspectives on the same concept. The general rule is straightforward but has surprising consequences: whenever the correlation between two scores is imperfect, there will be regression to the mean. Ch. 17, "Regression to the mean" p. 181."
"We see the world through the lens of our emotions, which cloud our judgment. Reason is the act of cleaning that lens."
"No one ever made a decision because of a number. They need a story. Michael Lewis. "The Undoing Project: A Friendship that Changed the World". Penguin, 2016 (ISBN 9780141983035)."
"When you lose your reason, you lose your freedom. You become a slave to your impulses."
"There is a deep gap between our thinking about statistics and our thinking about individual cases. Ch. 15, "Causes trump statistics" p. 174."
Website: Wikiquote - Daniel Kahneman (Thinking, Fast and Slow (2011))
"The rational warrior does not fight for the sake of fighting, but for a clear, well-reasoned objective."
"Our comforting conviction that the world makes sense rests on a secure foundation: our almost unlimited ability to ignore our ignorance. Ch. 19, "The illusion of understanding" p. 201."
"Reason gives you the distance necessary to see your own mistakes without being crushed by them."
"The more you understand the laws of human nature, the more rational your interactions with people will become."
"Our emotions are constantly pushing us to make quick decisions. Reason is the force that tells us to slow down."
"In the heat of a crisis, the ability to maintain your reason is the ultimate strategic advantage."
"The highest form of human intelligence is the ability to observe ourselves without judgment, using reason as a guide."
"Reason is the ultimate tool for navigating the complexities of human nature."
"When you are angry or afraid, your field of vision narrows. Reason expands it back to its full breadth."
"Reason is the light that guides us through the darkness of our own ignorance."
"Reason is like a muscle. If you don't use it to solve small problems, it won't be there for the big ones."
"If you cannot control your emotions, you cannot control your reason, and you will be at the mercy of others."
"Rationality is the ability to counteract these emotional effects, to think instead of react, to open your mind to what is actually happening."
"The greatest power we have is the power of reason, yet it is the one we use the least."
"In a world of chaos, the person who can maintain their reason is the person who will lead."
"To be rational is to be aware of the biases that distort your thinking and to actively fight against them."
"The goal of reason is not to eliminate emotion, but to channel it toward productive ends."
"The rational person is not someone who lacks emotion, but someone who is the master of their emotions."
"We are often most irrational when we think we are being the most logical."
"True reason requires a certain amount of humility; you must admit that you don't know everything."
"Reason allows us to build a bridge between our dreams and the reality of the world."
"Rationality is a process of constant correction. You are never fully rational; you are only becoming more so."
"Do not let your emotions dictate your strategy. Strategy must be born of reason."
"To think clearly, you must first clear the clutter of your own desires and fears."
"A rational mind is a flexible mind. It can change its opinion when presented with new evidence."
Why these quotes matter
Greene’s ideas on reason matter because they provide a practical framework for maintaining composure and clarity in an increasingly volatile world. By prioritizing the 'Rational Self' over the 'Emotional Self,' individuals can avoid the self-sabotage that often results from reactive decision-making.
How to apply them daily
To apply Greene’s philosophy of reason, one should practice the 'two-minute rule'—deliberately delaying any reaction to a perceived slight or crisis to allow the emotional surge to subside. Additionally, one should actively hunt for their own cognitive biases, questioning whether their conclusions are based on facts or a desire to be right.
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"Ultimately, mastering reason is the key to personal sovereignty and the highest form of strategic advantage in both life and work."