Edward de Bono

"(...) 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."

36 likes

Source: Edward De Bono (1972). “PO: a device for successful thinking”

About the author

Edward de Bono

Edward de Bono

Psychologist

Edward de Bono is a Maltese physician and author known for developing the concept of lateral thinking and the 'Six Thinking Hats' method.

All quotes by Edward de Bono →

Same author

More quotes by Edward de Bono

See all →
Edward de Bono Psychologist

"Creative thinking is not a talent, it is a skill that can be learned. It empowers people by adding strength to their natural abilities which improves teamwork, productivity and, where appropriate, profits."

Read quote
Edward de Bono Psychologist

"Sometimes the situation is only a problem because it is looked at in a certain way. Looked at in another way, the right course of action may be so obvious that the problem no longer exists."

Read quote