Even in the most purely logical realms, it is insight that first arrives at what is new.
“Even in the most purely logical realms, it is insight that first arrives at what is new.” Bertrand Russell
Marx’s father became a Christian when Marx was a little boy, and some, at least, of the dogmas he must have then accepted seem to have born fruit in his son’s psychology.
“Marx’s father became a Christian when Marx was a little boy, and some, at least, of the dogmas he must have then accepted seem to … Read More
All great books contain boring portions, and all great lives have contained uninteresting stretches.
“All great books contain boring portions, and all great lives have contained uninteresting stretches.” Bertrand Russell
Modern life cannot be constructed on . . . physically strenuous principles. A great deal of work is sedentary, and most manual work exercises only a few specialized muscles.
“Modern life cannot be constructed on . . . physically strenuous principles. A great deal of work is sedentary, and most manual work exercises only … Read More
Science tells us what we can know, but what we can know is little, and if we forget how much we cannot know we become insensitive to many things of great importance.
“Science tells us what we can know, but what we can know is little, and if we forget how much we cannot know we become … Read More
The pleasure of work is open to anyone who can develop some specialised skill, provided that he can get satisfaction from the exercise of his skill without demanding universal applause.
“The pleasure of work is open to anyone who can develop some specialised skill, provided that he can get satisfaction from the exercise of his … Read More
Law in origin was merely a codification of the power of dominant groups, and did not aim at anything that to a modern man would appear to be justice
“Law in origin was merely a codification of the power of dominant groups, and did not aim at anything that to a modern man would … Read More
Do not feel certain of anything.
“Do not feel certain of anything.” Bertrand Russell
Literature is inexhaustible, with every book a homage to infinity
“Literature is inexhaustible, with every book a homage to infinity” Bertrand Russell
Every housemaid expects at least once a week as much excitement as would have lasted a Jane Austen heroine throughout a whole novel.
“Every housemaid expects at least once a week as much excitement as would have lasted a Jane Austen heroine throughout a whole novel.” Bertrand … Read More
In all the creative work that I have done, what has come first is a problem, a puzzle involving discomfort.
“In all the creative work that I have done, what has come first is a problem, a puzzle involving discomfort.” Bertrand Russell
With civilized men…, it is, I think, chiefly love of excitement which makes the populace applaud when war breaks out; the emotion is exactly the same as at a football match, although the results are sometimes somewhat more serious.
“With civilized men…, it is, I think, chiefly love of excitement which makes the populace applaud when war breaks out; the emotion is exactly the … Read More
Frege has the merit of … finding a third assertion by recognising the world of logic which is neither mental nor physical.
“Frege has the merit of … finding a third assertion by recognising the world of logic which is neither mental nor physical.” Bertrand Russell
Undoubtedly the desire for food has been and still is one of the main causes of political events.
“Undoubtedly the desire for food has been and still is one of the main causes of political events.” Bertrand Russell
The main thing needed to make men happy is intelligence.
“The main thing needed to make men happy is intelligence.” Bertrand Russell
Philosophers, for the most part, are constitutionally timid, and dislike the unexpected. Few of them would be genuinely happy as pirates or burglars. Accordingly they invent systems which make the future calculable, at least in its main outlines.
“Philosophers, for the most part, are constitutionally timid, and dislike the unexpected. Few of them would be genuinely happy as pirates or burglars. Accordingly they … Read More
Education ought to foster the wish for truth, not the conviction that some particular creed is the truth.
“Education ought to foster the wish for truth, not the conviction that some particular creed is the truth.” Bertrand Russell
Nine-tenths of the appeal of pornography is due to the indecent feelings concerning sex which moralists inculcate in the young; the other tenth is physiological, and will occur in one way or another whatever the state of the law may be.
“Nine-tenths of the appeal of pornography is due to the indecent feelings concerning sex which moralists inculcate in the young; the other tenth is physiological, … Read More
I did not, however, commit suicide, because I wished to know more of mathematics.
“I did not, however, commit suicide, because I wished to know more of mathematics.” Bertrand Russell
It is impossible to read in America, except on a train, because of the telephone. Everyone has a telephone, and it rings all day and most of the night.
“It is impossible to read in America, except on a train, because of the telephone. Everyone has a telephone, and it rings all day and … Read More