If people can construct a simple and coherent story, they will feel confident regardless of how well grounded it is in reality.

You're surprised by something, but you don't really know what surprised you; you recognize someone, but you don't really know what cues cause you to recognize that person.

If you're going to be unreligious, it's likely going to be due to reflecting on it and finding some things that are hard to believe.

We know that the French are very different from the Americans in their satisfaction with life. They're much less satisfied. Americans are pretty high up there, while the French are quite low - the world champions in life satisfaction are actually the Danes.

The premise of this book is that it is easier to recognize other people's mistakes than your own.

We have a very narrow view of what is going on.

The illusion of skill is not only an individual aberration; it is deeply ingrained in the culture of the [investment management] industry.