“It's Easier to Fool People Than It Is to Convince Them That They Have Been Fooled.” – Mark Twain.
This quote, often attributed to Mark Twain, captures a profound insight about human nature, though there is no verifiable evidence that Twain actually said or wrote it. The idea reflects how cognitive biases like confirmation bias and ego preservation make people resistant to accepting they’ve been misled.
Admitting one has been fooled can feel like an attack on personal judgment or intelligence, so people often double down on their beliefs rather than reconsider them. It’s a cautionary reminder to approach beliefs, information, and persuasive arguments critically and to remain open to changing one’s mind when evidence demands it.
Comments