A new idea is first condemned as ridiculous and then dismissed as trivial, until finally, it becomes what everybody knows.
Interpretation
Innovative ideas often face skepticism before gaining acceptance.
This quote by William James emphasizes the typical journey of new ideas in society, illustrating that they are often initially met with ridicule and dismissal. Over time, as the idea proves its value or necessity, it gradually becomes integrated into mainstream thought, demonstrating the evolving nature of societal understanding and acceptance of innovation.
In practice
In a discussion about technology startups, this quote can highlight how new apps often face initial skepticism.
Many persons nowadays seem to think that any conclusion must be very scientific if the arguments in favor of it are derived from twitching of frogs' legs (especially if the frogs are decapitated) and that, on the other hand, any doctrine chiefly vouched for by the feelings of human beings (with heads on their shoulders) must be benighted and superstitious.
The man who knows governments most completely is he who troubles himself least about a definition which shall give their essence. Enjoying an intimate acquaintance with all their particularities in turn, he would naturally regard an abstract conception in which these were unified as a thing more misleading than enlightening.
All the higher, more penetrating ideals are revolutionary. They present themselves far less in the guise of effects of past experience than in that of probable causes of future experience, factors to which the environment and the lessons it has so far taught us must learn to bend.
The lunatic's visions of horror are all drawn from the material of daily fact. Our civilization is founded on the shambles, and every individual existence goes out in a lonely spasm of helpless agony.
It is astonishing how many mental operations we can explain when we have once grasped the principles of association
As there is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it, so reasonable arguments, challenges to magnanimity, and appeals to sympathy or justice, are folly when we are dealing with human crocodiles and boa-constrictors.
True wisdom consists of tracing effects to their causes.
My optimism is grounded in two worlds, myself and what is about me. I demand that the world be good, and lo, it obeys. I proclaim the world good, and facts range themselves to prove my proclamation overwhelmingly true.
We must follow the wisdom of the Brundtland Report. We must pursue development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Men honor what lies within the sphere of their knowledge, but do not realize how dependent they are on what lies beyond it.
An overdose of praise is like 10 lumps of sugar in coffee; only a very few people can swallow it.
These possessions of a simpleton being the three I choose and cherish: to care, to be fair, to be humble.
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