Human beings aren't rational animals; we're rationalizing animals who want to appear reasonable to ourselves. Elliot Aronson More Quotes by Elliot Aronson More Quotes From Elliot Aronson Self-justification, therefore, is not only about protecting high self-esteem; it's also about protecting low self-esteem if that is how a person sees himself. Elliot Aronson self-justification self-esteem lows We need to challenge our own thinking. Elliot Aronson challenges needs thinking It is possible to achieve mastery of a problem or a skill without hurting another person or even without attempting to conquer. Elliot Aronson skills hurt reality The American mind in particular has been trained to equate success with victory, to equate doing well with beating someone. Elliot Aronson wells victory mind