If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize1 it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting2 in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way.
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)
The wise are instructed by reason; ordinary minds by experience; the stupid, by necessity; and brutes3 by instinct.
Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC)
It is only by following your deepest instinct that you can lead a rich life, and if you let your fear of consequence prevent you from following your deepest instinct, then your life will be safe, expedient4 and thin.
Katharine Butler Hathaway
There can be as much value in the blink of an eye as in months of rational analysis.
Malcolm Gladwell, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, 2005
Truly successful decision making relies on a balance between deliberate and instinctive5 thinking.
Malcolm Gladwell, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, 2005
Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts.
Rita Mae Brown
I decided6 that it was not wisdom that enabled [poets] to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime7 messages without knowing in the least what they mean.
Socrates (469 BC - 399 BC), In "Apology," sct. 21, by Plato.
