A quotation from Samuel Johnson

Even the acquisition of knowledge is often much facilitated by the advantages of society: he that never compares his notions with those of others, readily acquiesces in his first thoughts, and very seldom discovers the objections which may be raised against his opinions; he, therefore, often thinks himself in possession of truth, when he is only fondling an errour long since exploded. He that has neither companions nor rivals in his studies, will always applaud his own progress, and think highly of his performances, because he knows not that others have equalled or excelled him. And I am afraid it may be added, that the student who withdraws himself from the world, will soon feel that ardour extinguished which praise or emulation had enkindled, and take the advantage of secrecy to sleep, rather than to labour.

Samuel Johnson (1709-1784) English writer, lexicographer, critic
Essay (1754-01-19), The Adventurer, No. 126

More about this quote: wist.info/johnson-samuel/81496…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #samueljohnson #study #studygroup #argument #collaboration #company #debate #education #error #interaction #isolation #learning #motivation #realitycheck #selfcongratulations #selfcontrol #selfcorrection #selfcriticism #selfdeception #selfdelusion #selfeducation #selfmotivation #selfpolicing #selfpraising #selfrationalization #selfrighteousness #selfsufficiency #society #solitude #truth

Johnson, Samuel - Essay (1754-01-19), The Adventurer, No. 126 | WIST Quotations

Even the acquisition of knowledge is often much facilitated by the advantages of society: he that never compares his notions with those of others, readily acquiesces in his first thoughts, and very seldom discovers the objections which may be raised against his opinions; he, therefore, often thinks himself in possession…

WIST Quotations

A quotation from John Adams

Every Man must seriously set himself to root out his Passions, Prejudices and Attachments, and to get the better of his private Interest. The only reputable Principle and Doctrine must be that all Things must give Way to the public.

John Adams (1735-1826) American lawyer, Founding Father, statesman, US President (1797-1801)
Letter (1776-04-16) to Mercy Otis Warren

More about this quote: wist.info/adams-john/81374/

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #johnadams #commongood #commoninterest #community #democracy #mutuality #privateinterest #publicgood #publicservice #republic #selfcontrol #selfdenial #selfinterest #selfmastery #selfpolicing #selfrespect #selfsacrifice #society

Adams, John - Letter (1776-04-16) to Mercy Otis Warren | WIST Quotations

Every Man must seriously set himself to root out his Passions, Prejudices and Attachments, and to get the better of his private Interest. The only reputable Principle and Doctrine must be that all Things must give Way to the public.

WIST Quotations

A quotation from Thomas Fuller

Thou never wast so good as thou shouldest be; if thou does not strive to be better. And thou never wilt be better, if thou doest not fear to grow worse.

Thomas Fuller (1654-1734) English physician, preacher, aphorist, writer
Introductio ad Prudentiam, Vol. 2, # 2092 (1727)

More info about this quote: wist.info/fuller-thomas-1654/7…

#quote #quotes #quotation #qotd #thomasfuller #backsliding #regression #goal, #goodbehavior #goodperson #progress #selfawareness #selfcorrection #selfcriticism #selfdoubt #selfevaluation #selfimprovement #selfmotivation #selfpolicing #selfregard #selfunderstanding #selfworth

A quotation from Jacobs, Jane:

«
Advanced cultures are usually sophisticated enough, or have been sophisticated enough at some point in their pasts, to realize that foxes shouldn’t be relied on to guard henhouses.
»

Full quote, sourcing, notes:
https://wist.info/jacobs-jane/68264/

#quote #quotes #quotation #business #corporation #incentive #profit #regulation #selfpolicing

Dark Age Ahead, ch. 6 (2004) - Jacobs, Jane | WIST Quotations

Advanced cultures are usually sophisticated enough, or have been sophisticated enough at some point in their pasts, to realize that foxes shouldn't be relied on to guard henhouses. On business regulation, versus self-policing.

WIST
US Supreme Court Still Needs a Real Ethics Code

The justices have rightly responded to public criticism. But the self-policing system they’ve proposed doesn’t inspire much confidence.

Bloomberg
@mnl I appreciate concerns about the #fragmentation of the #fediverse. Personally, I like it. I’d never follow as #hashtag on a #monolith. I’d be buried in #noise. Even #birdsite #lists got to be too much; I went back to #RSS. And the fragmentation allows for #selfpolicing and #safeharbors. We’ve already too many examples of how #centralized #bureaucracies are #dysfunctional. So I’m happy to try it this way. Feels more #natural and #oldschool than the monoliths, to me.