A memory is what is left when something happens and does not completely unhappen.
Edward de Bono

An expert is someone who has succeeded in making decisions and judgements simpler through knowing what to pay attention to and what to ignore.
Edward de Bono

An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.
Edward de Bono

Argument is meant to reveal the truth, not to create it.
Edward de Bono

Creativity involves breaking out of established patterns in order to look at things in a different way.
Edward de Bono

Creativity is a great motivator because it makes people interested in what they are doing. Creativity gives hope that there can be a worthwhile idea. Creativity gives the possibility of some sort of achievement to everyone. Creativity makes life more fun and more interesting.
Edward de Bono

Dealing with complexity is an inefficient and unnecessary waste of time, attention and mental energy. There is never any justification for things being complex when they could be simple.
Edward de Bono

Humor is by far the most significant activity of the human brain.
Edward de Bono

Humour is by far the most significant activity of the human brain.
Edward De Bono

I must say, I don't feel very qualified to be a pop star. I feel very awkward at times in the role.
Edward de Bono


If you never change your mind, why have one?
Edward de Bono

If you wait for opportunities to occur, you will be one of the crowd.
Edward de Bono

In a sense, words are encyclopedias of ignorance because they freeze perceptions at one moment in history and then insist we continue to use these frozen perceptions when we should be doing better.
Edward de Bono

In the future, instead of striving to be right at a high cost, it will be more appropriate to be flexible and plural at a lower cost. If you cannot accurately predict the future then you must flexibly be prepared to deal with various possible futures.
Edward de Bono

It has always surprised me how little attention philosophers have paid to humor, since it is a more significant process of mind than reason. Reason can only sort out perceptions, but the humor process is involved in changing them.
Edward de Bono

Many highly intelligent people are poor thinkers. Many people of average intelligence are skilled thinkers. The power of a car is separate from the way the car is driven.
Edward de Bono

Most executives, many scientists, and almost all business school graduates believe that if you analyze data, this will give you new ideas. Unfortunately, this belief is totally wrong. The mind can only see what it is prepared to see.
Edward de Bono

Most of the mistakes in thinking are inadequacies of perception rather than mistakes of logic.
Edward de Bono

One very important aspect of motivation is the willingness to stop and to look at things that no one else has bothered to look at. This simple process of focusing on things that are normally taken for granted is a powerful source of creativity.
Edward de Bono

Opportunity ideas do not lie around waiting to be discovered. Such ideas need to be produced.
Edward de Bono