"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so"

This quote by Douglas Adams speaks to the paradox of human nature. We are capable of gaining from the experiences of others, yet we typically fail to do so. This might be due to our pride, our stubbornness, or our lack of empathy. We may be unwilling to accept advice from others, or we may be too focused on our own experiences to recognize the value of somebody else's. We may also be too quick to evaluate and too sluggish to listen. Whatever the reason, it is clear that we have the capacity to gain from the experiences of others, yet we typically stop working to take advantage of this chance. This quote functions as a tip to be open to the experiences of others and to take the time to listen and discover.