Famous Common Sense Quotes in English

Common sense is a valuable trait that affects the decision-making process and guides us through life. The following common sense quotes shed light on the importance of this trait and its impact on our daily lives:

1. "Common sense is not so common." - Voltaire

Voltaire's quote highlights the irony that while common sense should be inherent in everyone, it often seems to be lacking in many situations.

2. "The three great essentials to achieve anything worth while are: Hard work, stick-to-itiveness, and common sense." - Thomas A. Edison

Thomas Edison emphasizes the significance of common sense as one of the essential elements for achieving success. It is often the practical and logical approach that leads to meaningful accomplishments.

3. "Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler." - Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein's quote encapsulates the essence of common sense - the ability to simplify complex matters without oversimplifying them. This highlights the importance of finding the right balance in our decision-making process.

4. "Common sense is instinct. Enough of it is genius." - George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw's perspective on common sense as a form of instinct underlines its innate nature. When utilized effectively, it can lead to ingenious solutions and decisions.

5. "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." - Albert Einstein

Einstein's quote challenges the notion of common sense as an inherent attribute by suggesting that it is shaped by our experiences and environments.

These common sense quotes serve as reminders of the practical wisdom we all possess and encourage us to leverage it in our daily lives. In a world filled with complexities and challenges, embracing common sense can lead to better decisions and outcomes.

Here’s a list of famous common sense quotes, along with detailed explanations of their meanings:

1. "Common sense is not so common." – Voltaire

• Meaning: Voltaire's witty observation highlights the irony that despite being called "common," common sense is often lacking in many people. It suggests that practical, sound judgment is not as widespread as we might expect.

• Example: When people make decisions that seem obviously flawed or illogical, this quote points to the surprising lack of basic reasoning in certain situations, such as ignoring safety precautions or making decisions based on unfounded beliefs.

2. "Common sense is genius dressed in its working clothes." – Ralph Waldo Emerson

• Meaning: Emerson elevates common sense by comparing it to genius, but emphasizes that common sense is the practical, everyday application of intelligence. It’s not about lofty ideas or complex theories; rather, it’s about using sound judgment to solve real-world problems.

• Example: A person might solve a complex problem at work not by using complicated strategies, but by applying practical, straightforward reasoning to find the best solution.

3. "Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen." – Albert Einstein

• Meaning: Einstein’s quote critiques the idea of common sense by suggesting that what we often call "common sense" is just a set of ingrained beliefs or biases formed by a certain age. These beliefs might not always be based on logic or truth but are shaped by societal norms and personal experiences.

• Example: People might assume certain things are "common sense," like traditional gender roles or outdated customs, without questioning whether they are fair or reasonable.

4. "Common sense is seeing things as they are and doing things as they ought to be." – Harriet Beecher Stowe

• Meaning: Stowe’s quote defines common sense as having a clear understanding of reality and acting in ways that align with that understanding. It’s about using practical judgment to take appropriate action based on the facts at hand.

• Example: If you see a spill on the floor, common sense tells you to clean it up immediately to avoid someone slipping and getting hurt.

5. "The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are: hard work, stick-to-itiveness, and common sense." – Thomas Edison

• Meaning: Edison stresses that common sense, along with hard work and perseverance, is essential for achieving success. Common sense helps guide decisions and actions in a practical way, complementing effort and persistence.

• Example: While working on a project, common sense might tell you to prioritize tasks, avoid unnecessary risks, and make smart, efficient decisions to reach your goal.

6. "It is a thousand times better to have common sense without education than to have education without common sense." – Robert Green Ingersoll

• Meaning: Ingersoll argues that formal education is less valuable than practical common sense. While education gives you knowledge, common sense helps you navigate life’s everyday challenges. Without common sense, even the most educated person can make poor decisions.

• Example: A highly educated person might still make poor financial choices because they lack basic practical reasoning, whereas someone without formal education might use simple, sound judgment to manage money wisely.

7. "Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done." – Josh Billings

• Meaning: This quote emphasizes that common sense is about both perception and action—understanding reality clearly and responding appropriately. It’s about applying basic reasoning to everyday situations to achieve the best outcomes.

• Example: If you’re planning a picnic and see that the weather forecast predicts rain, common sense tells you to reschedule or bring appropriate gear like umbrellas.

8. "The philosophy of one century is the common sense of the next." – Henry Ward Beecher

• Meaning: What is considered groundbreaking or philosophical thinking in one era often becomes accepted as common sense in the future. This quote suggests that common sense evolves as society learns and grows.

• Example: In the past, ideas like gender equality or environmental conservation were seen as radical. Today, they are often viewed as common sense principles that most people accept.

9. "Common sense is the best distributed commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it." – René Descartes

• Meaning: Descartes humorously points out that everyone believes they possess common sense, regardless of their actual judgment or decision-making ability. This quote highlights the subjective nature of what people consider "common sense."

• Example: Two people might argue over a simple matter like the best way to fix something, each believing their approach is "just common sense," even though they might have completely different methods.

10. "Common sense will tell us that power breeds factions, and those factions will turn against themselves." – Thomas Paine

• Meaning: Paine’s quote reflects a political insight, explaining that common sense dictates that when people acquire power, they naturally form factions or groups. Eventually, these groups tend to fight among themselves as interests diverge.

• Example: In a workplace, when people form cliques or groups around leadership, conflicts often arise as different individuals seek more influence or control.

11. "Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing." – William James

• Meaning: This playful quote suggests that humor and common sense are closely related. While common sense is practical and grounded, humor is a more creative or lighthearted expression of the same basic reasoning. Both involve seeing things clearly and responding appropriately, but humor adds an element of fun.

• Example: Using common sense might mean recognizing that you’ve made a mistake, while a sense of humor allows you to laugh at yourself and move on.

12. "Common sense is instinct. Enough of it is genius." – George Bernard Shaw

• Meaning: Shaw elevates common sense, suggesting that when people have a lot of it, it can appear to be genius. While common sense is often seen as simple or basic, its consistent, effective application can lead to remarkable success or solutions.

• Example: A leader who consistently makes wise, practical decisions might not be seen as flashy or revolutionary, but their success might be attributed to an abundance of common sense, which is ultimately their genius.

13. "The problem with common sense is that it is not so common." – Mark Twain (attributed)

• Meaning: Similar to Voltaire’s quote, this line humorously critiques the idea that common sense, though assumed to be widespread, is actually rare. Many people fail to apply basic logic or reasoning in everyday situations.

• Example: You might expect someone to check if they have enough gas before going on a long trip, but if they don’t, it shows a lack of what we would assume to be "common sense."

14. "Common sense is like deodorant. The people who need it most never use it." – Anonymous

• Meaning: This humorous analogy compares common sense to deodorant—something essential that not everyone uses, even when it’s clearly needed. It suggests that people who lack common sense are often unaware of it, much like how some might neglect deodorant without realizing its importance.

• Example: Someone might repeatedly make the same mistakes, like being consistently late, and not realize they need to change their habits, despite it being obvious to others.

15. "Common sense is the foundation of all authorities, of the laws themselves, and of their interpreters." – Thomas Jefferson

• Meaning: Jefferson argues that common sense is at the core of all authority, including legal systems and those who enforce them. Laws and governance should be based on practical, understandable principles that reflect common sense.

• Example: Many laws, such as those regarding safety or fairness, are based on common sense principles that are meant to protect individuals and society.

Conclusion:
Common sense is often described as the ability to make sound judgments based on everyday practical reasoning. These quotes collectively reflect the importance of common sense in decision-making, its potential rarity, and the idea that it underpins successful action in both personal and societal contexts.