If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize¹ it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting² in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way.

Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970)

The wise are instructed by reason; ordinary minds by experience; the stupid, by necessity; and brutes³ by instinct.

Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC)

It is only by following your deepest instinct that you can lead a rich life, and if you let your fear of consequence prevent you from following your deepest instinct, then your life will be safe, expedient⁴ and thin.

Katharine Butler Hathaway

There can be as much value in the blink of an eye as in months of rational analysis.

Malcolm Gladwell, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, 2005

Truly successful decision making relies on a balance between deliberate and instinctive⁵ thinking.

Malcolm Gladwell, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, 2005

Creativity comes from trust. Trust your instincts.

Rita Mae Brown

I decided⁶ that it was not wisdom that enabled [poets] to write their poetry, but a kind of instinct or inspiration, such as you find in seers and prophets who deliver all their sublime⁷ messages without knowing in the least what they mean.

Socrates (469 BC - 399 BC), In "Apology," sct. 21, by Plato.