Quote of the Week - It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers. James Thurber
James Thurber was a writer, playwright and cartoonist who lived from 1894-1961.
While I like Thurber’s quote, it needs to be put in context. There certainly are times when “knowing all the answers” serves someone well! For example, one of my college coaching clients is preparing for a sociology test this week. The test format is multiple choice. His goal is “to know all the answers!”
Thurber isn’t referring to knowing answers for a college exam! I think he is referring to people who take great pride in showing off how much they know – on almost all occasions! These are people who give answers at times in which asking questions would be more productive.
In last week’s post, I explored the importance of “involving others” in order to increase commitment to an action plan. Managers who “know all the answers” are unlikely to get maximum commitment from their work teams.
When you are in a social setting, are you usually fascinated when someone knows a lot of facts about politics, sports, or other interesting things? Yet, I bet you quickly lose patience if that person dominates the conversation and doesn’t make an effort to include you and others in the discussion.
“Knowing some of the questions” implies that you are willing to explore problems and opportunities by asking questions that engage others. It shows that you have a genuine interest in learning about other people, rather than keeping the focus on yourself.
In her book, Change Your Questions, Change your Life, Marilee Adams introduced the idea of “Question Thinking.” She teaches that a world of questions is a world of possibilities. When we are vibrant with the spirit of inquiry, our minds are open, we are connected to others, and we shake our outmoded paradigms. Our headset changes from answers and opinions to questions and curiosity.
Questions usually work best when they are open-ended and often start with “What” or “How.” “Open Questions” create engagement, whereas “Closed Questions” can be answered “yes” or “no” or do not invite a variety of responses. For example, “Did your presentation go well this morning?” could create a simple “yes” or “no” answer. However, “How did your presentation go this morning?” could result in a variety of answers. Some people may give a short answer (e.g., “OK” or “fine”). Yet, the question itself “invites” more than a one-word response. The question invites engagement and relationship.
Questions for Reflection:
- Do you know people who have a distinct pattern of always “having the answer”? How does that affect the way you view them?
- Do you feel that you are known more for “knowing some of the questions” or “knowing all the answers?”
- How are your skills in asking “open questions?”
- Do you feel that you get rewarded more for “asking good questions” or for “having lots of answers?”
FAQs
"It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers." "It is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers." - James Thurber What questions will you be asking as you enter the New Year?
What is a famous quote about questions? ›
“Only the one who does not question is safe from making a mistake.” – Albert Einstein. “The power to question is the basis of all human progress.” – Indira Gandhi. “What are you trying to do – one of the easiest to ask and most difficult to answer of questions.” – Robert K. Greenleaf.
Who said it is better to know some of the questions than all of the answers? ›
The message read, “It's better to know some of the questions than all the answers!” Below this simple message was the inscription “James Thurber (1894–1961).” At first I was thrilled; I thought perhaps James Thurber had sent me the message.
What is the quote about questioning everything? ›
Question everything, including yourself; then redefine it accordingly. A surface desire is one that conflicts with our Knowing. We must ask our surface desires: What is the desire beneath this desire?
What does it is better to know some of the questions that all of the answers mean? ›
“Knowing some of the questions” implies that you are willing to explore problems and opportunities by asking questions that engage others. It shows that you have a genuine interest in learning about other people, rather than keeping the focus on yourself.
What is a motivational quote about questioning? ›
Quotes
- A prudent question is one-half of wisdom. Francis Bacon.
- One who never asks either knows everything or nothing. ...
- It's very flattering to ask others about matters they're little qualified to discuss. ...
- Why and ""how"" are words so important that they cannot be too often used. ...
- The smart ones ask when they don't know.
The Chinese Proverb reads, “He who asks a questions remains a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask remains a fool forever.” This concept, however, can be difficult for a generation who has been rewarded for answering questions correctly rather than asking the right questions (thank you standardized testing).
Who said successful people ask better questions and as a result they get better answers? ›
“Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers.” – Anthony Robbins.
Who said questions are more important than answers in philosophy? ›
Exposing one's self to philosophical questions is the key to the door hinted at in the philosopher Socrates' quote: The question is the key to unlocking the best answer submerged in a swamp of other answers. Without a question the answer remains elusive.
Who said there are no answers only questions? ›
Travers Quotes. For me, there are no answers, only questions, and I am grateful that the questions go on and on.
Let's start with this one: “The important thing is not to stop questioning.” This is actually the first part of a longer quote, which ends with the wonderful line: “Never lose a holy curiosity.” Einstein thought questioning and curiosity were the key to learning.
What famous philosopher said to question everything? ›
Socrates thought that we should question absolutely everything and not rest until we know our beliefs lie on a secure foundation. In this class, we'll consider Socrates' approach to the good life.
What is a leadership quote about asking questions? ›
“An effective leader will ask questions instead of giving direct orders.” Dale Carnegie author of How to Win Friends and Influence People (1936) “The leader of the past may have been a person who knew how to tell, but certainly the leader of the future will be a person who knows how to ask.” Dr.
What is more important questions or answers? ›
“It is not the answer that enlightens, but the question.” ~ Eugene Ionesco. Questions are at the heart of every great conversation. They make us think, grow, and challenge our beliefs.
Why is questioning more important than answering questions? ›
Questions are important because they help us create a framework for understanding and discovery, whereas answers are (at most) temporary fixes to our problems. Both questions and answers must be updated over time as things change.
Why is it important to answer all questions? ›
We ask questions in order to learn more information about something, and we answer questions to provide more information. Asking and answering questions is not only a part of how we learn, but it is also a part of our social skills; we ask and answer questions to be polite and build and maintain relationships.
Who said the famous quote question everything? ›
Albert Einstein is known for the short quote, “Question Everything”. He was encouraging curiosity and an expansive mind. The truth is we are born with a natural desire to question everything and be curious, but along the path of growing up many of us lose that desire.
What is the most famous quote ever? ›
“I have a dream.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
