"Les nouvelles opinions sont toujours suspectées et généralement opposées sans aucune autre raison que parce qu'elles ne sont pas déjà courantes."

People often resist new ideas just because they’re unfamiliar. It’s human nature to cling to what we know. We’re creatures of habit, and change—even if it’s good—can be scary. This quote captures that essence perfectly.

Think about the times throughout history when groundbreaking ideas first emerged. The concept of a round Earth was once revolutionary. Back in the day, the majority of people believed the Earth was flat. When the idea of a spherical Earth came around, it wasn’t instantly accepted. It was met with suspicion and outright opposition. Not because there was concrete proof to refute it. Simply because it wasn’t what people were used to.

Now, let’s bring this idea to life with a real-world example. Picture the evolution of electric cars. When electric cars were first introduced, many people were skeptical. They doubted their efficiency, questioned their range, and were accustomed to their gasoline vehicles. But look at where we are today. Electric cars are gaining popularity. They’re considered a crucial part of the future of transportation. The initial resistance wasn’t based on facts. It was based on the simple fact that electric cars weren’t yet the norm.

So, how do you apply this wisdom in your life? First, recognize that your gut resistance to new ideas may be due to their novelty rather than their merit. Next time you’re faced with a new concept at work or in personal life, take a moment to step back. Ask yourself, “Am I resisting this because it’s genuinely not good, or just because it’s new?” Challenge your initial reactions and give yourself the chance to explore the idea further.

Imagine you’re in a team meeting at work. Your colleague suggests a new software to streamline the project management process. Immediately, there’s a murmur of dissent. People are comfortable with the current system, even though it’s not perfect. You feel that twinge of resistance too. But instead of dismissing it outright, you suggest a trial period. “Let’s give it a month and see how it goes,” you propose. This way, you’re not committing long-term to something uncertain, but you’re also not shutting it down just because it’s new.

Think about other areas in your life where this applies. Maybe it’s a new fitness routine that your friend swears by. Or a different way of budgeting your finances. It’s easy to reject these ideas because they disrupt your status quo. But if you give them a fair shot, you might find they offer improvements you hadn’t considered.

The bottom line is this: Don't let the unfamiliarity of an idea be the only reason you resist it. Give new opinions the space to prove their worth. You might be surprised at how much you can grow and learn by embracing what’s outside your comfort zone. And next time you feel that instinctive pushback, remember it’s just your brain’s way of saying, “Hey, this is new.” It’s not a judgment on the idea itself.