Philosophy: quotes: “To a person with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.”

Self-tutoring about philosophy: the tutor reflects on a famous quote’s meaning.

To a person with a hammer, everything looks like a nail.
-Mark Twain

Believe it or not, I heard this quote, for the first time, two days ago. I didn’t know whose it was – someone just casually uttered it in conversation.

I suppose, in a great number of cases, the quote is true: people like to play to their strengths. They like to apply the skills they already have, rather than looking for (or developing) a different tool from the one in hand.

Hidden behind the words seems to be advice – from Mark Twain, no less.

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