There is no doubt that creativity is the most important human resource of all. Without creativity, there would be no progress, and we would be forever repeating the same patterns.
Edward De BonoRead
Intelligence is something we are born with. Thinking is a skill that must be learned.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Intelligence is innate, while the ability to think critically must be developed through learning.
This quote by Edward De Bono distinguishes between intelligence, which is often seen as a natural gift, and thinking, which he argues is a deliberate skill that requires practice and education. It emphasizes the importance of nurturing and enhancing our thinking abilities in order to utilize our inherent intelligence effectively.
Themes
IntelligenceThinkingSkillLearningEducation
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal development, one could use this quote to highlight the importance of learning.
More from Edward De Bono
All quotes →Dealing with complexity is an inefficient and unnecessary waste of time, attention and mental energy. There is never any justification for things being complex when they could be simple.
Edward De BonoRead
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 BonoRead
Most of the mistakes in thinking are inadequacies of perception rather than mistakes of logic.
Edward De BonoRead
(...) being right all the time acquires a huge importance in education, and there is this terror of being wrong. The ego is so tied to being right that later on in life you are reluctant to accept that you are ever wrong, because you are defending not the idea but your self-esteem. (...) this terror of being wrong means that people have enormous difficulties in changing ideas.
Edward De BonoRead
Argument is meant to reveal the truth, not to create it.
Edward De BonoRead
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There’s nothing to it. All you have to do is take a close look at yourself and you will understand everyone else. We’re in no way different ourselves... You show me someone who can’t understand people and I’ll show you someone who has built up a false image of himself.
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