183 Quotes by Dan Ariely

If I were to distill one main lesson from the research described in this book, it is that we are pawns in a game whose forces we largely fail to comprehend. We usually think of ourselves as sitting in the driver’s seat, with ultimate control over the decisions we make and the direction our life takes; but, alas, this perception has more to do with our desires-with how we want to view ourselves-than with reality.

One of the big lessons from behavioral economics is that we make decisions as a function of the environment that we’re in.

Understand that relativity is everywhere, and that we view everything through its lens – rose-colored or otherwise. When you meet someone in a different country or city and it seems that you have magical connection, realize that the enchantment might be limited to the surrounding circumstances.

Money is all about opportunity cost. Every time you spend on something, that’s something you can’t spend on something else.

It was shocking to realize how many low-income Americans don’t have savings accounts.

When you’re in pain, tomorrow doesn’t exist – just the pain – and the only thing that you want in the world is for it to go away.

MONEY, AS IT turns out, is very often the most expensive way to motivate people. Social norms are not only cheaper, but often more effective as well.

If you want a social relationship, go for it, but remember that you have to maintain it under all circumstances.

Rainy day savings are incredibly important, because from time to time, bad things happen. And if you’re not prepared for that, it’s going to be really terrible.