An instinct is a human behavior that is usually automatic, not something that is learned over time in most cases. Instinct quotes show the many different drives that humans have. Most people have an instinctive fear of snakes, or of heights. This happens even though the individual has never been bitten or fallen from high up. In some situations the instinct that you feel may be right on, in other circumstances it may just be a strong emotional feeling that turns out to be false. Your first instinct when you come to a dark alley is to stay away because you do not know what could be lurking in the shadows. Some people call instinct a sixth sense, and it can be very useful for some people.