The phrase “Common sense is not so common.” is most famously attributed to Voltaire, the French Enlightenment writer, historian, and philosopher. He included a version of this phrase in his 1764 work Dictionnaire Philosophique(Philosophical Dictionary), where he criticized the tendency of people to lack practical reasoning despite its supposed prevalence.

Origins and Meaning

• Author: Voltaire (François-Marie Arouet)
• Year: 1764
• Book: Dictionnaire Philosophique
• Context: Voltaire used the phrase to critique the contradiction between what is considered “common sense” and how rarely it is actually applied in real life. He was often critical of dogma, superstition, and societal irrationality.

Modern Usage

• This quote is widely used in various fields, from business to psychology, to highlight how people often fail to use practical reasoning in everyday situations.
• It aligns with the idea that what seems like obvious knowledge is not always applied in practice.

Regarding the “Health Proverb” Attribution

If you’ve seen this phrase labeled as a “health proverb,” it might be because common sense is essential in making good health choices—such as eating well, exercising, and avoiding harmful behaviors. However, its original intent was much broader and philosophical.