a generation that cannot endure boredom will be a generation of little men, of men unduly divorced from the slow process of nature, of men in whom every vital impulse slowly withers as though they were cut flowers in a vase. Bertrand Russell More Quotes by Bertrand Russell More Quotes From Bertrand Russell The whole conception of a God is a conception derived from the ancient oriental despotisms. It is a conception quite unworthy of free men. We ought to stand up and look the world frankly in the face. We ought to make the best we can of the world, and if it is not so good as we wish, after all it will still be better than what these others have made of it in all these ages. Bertrand Russell age wish men A man's acts are partly determined by spontaneous impulse, partly by the conscious and unconscious effects of the various groups to which he belongs. Bertrand Russell groups determined men I used often to go to America during Prohibition, and there was far more drunkenness there then than before; the prohibition of pornography has much the same effect. Bertrand Russell prohibition used america Change is scientific; progress is ethical; change is indubitable, whereas progress is a matter of controversy. Bertrand Russell change science history But if thought is to become the possession of many, not the privilege of the few, we must have done with fear. It is fear that holds men back - fear lest their cherished beliefs should prove delusions, fear lest the institutions by which they live should prove harmful, fear lest they themselves should prove less worthy of respect than they have supposed themselves to be. Bertrand Russell done men thinking There's a Bible on that shelf there. But I keep it next to Voltaire - poison and antidote. Bertrand Russell next atheism doubt It is entirely clear that there is only one way in which great wars can be permanently prevented, and that is the establishment of an international government with a monopoly of serious armed force. Bertrand Russell government serious war Orthodoxy is the grave of intelligence, no matter what orthodoxy it may be. Bertrand Russell orthodoxy matter may I think it would be just to say the most essential characteristic of mind is memory, using this word in its broadest sense to include every influence of past experience on present reactions. Bertrand Russell memories science past In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted. Bertrand Russell leadership thankful thank-you Most men do not feel in themselves the competence required for leading their group to victory, and therefore seek out a captain who appears to possess the courage and sagacity necessary for the achievement of supremacy. Even in religion this impulse appears. Nietzsche accused Christianity of inculcating a slave-morality, but ultimate triumph was always the goal. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Bertrand Russell goal blessed men The opposition of instinct and reason is mainly illusory. Instinct, intuition, or insight is what first leads to the beliefs which subsequent reason confirms or confutes; but the confirmation, where it is possible, consists, in the last analysis, of agreement with other beliefs no less instinctive. Reason is a harmonizing, controlling force rather than a creative one. Even in the most purely logical realms, it is insight that first arrives at what is new. Bertrand Russell intuition creative agreement There is no excuse for deceiving children. And when, as must happen in conventional families, they find that their parents have lied, they lose confidence in them and feel justified in lying to them. Bertrand Russell education lying children Insight, untested and unsupported, is an uncertain guarantee of the truth. Bertrand Russell uncertain insight guarantees The raw fruits of the earth were made for human sustenance. Even the white tails of rabbits, according to some theologians, have a purpose, namely to make it easier for sportsmen to shoot them. There are, it is true, some inconveniences: lions and tigers are too fierce, the summer is too hot, and the winter too cold. But these things only began after Adam ate the apple; I before that, all animals were vegetarians, and the season was always spring. If only Adam had been content with peaches and nectarines, grapes and pears and pineapples, these blessings would still be ours. Bertrand Russell summer winter spring Public opinion is always more tyrannical towards those who obviously fear it than towards those who feel indifferent to it. Bertrand Russell indifferent public-opinion happiness The people who are regarded as moral luminaries are those who forego ordinary pleasures themselves and find compensation in interfering with the pleasures of others. Bertrand Russell ordinary people religion When one admits that nothing is certain one must, I think, also admit that some things are much more nearly certain than others. Bertrand Russell certain belief thinking I dislike Communism because it is undemocratic, and capitalism because it favors exploitation. Bertrand Russell exploitation favors communism The finding of arguments for a conclusion given in advance is not philosophy, but special pleading Bertrand Russell argument special philosophy
