It would now be technically possible to unify the world, abolish war and poverty altogether, if men desired their own happiness more than the misery of their enemies. Bertrand Russell More Quotes by Bertrand Russell More Quotes From Bertrand Russell Most people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so. Bertrand Russell wittyinspirationalfunny The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved. To this type belong many lunatics and most of the great men of history. Bertrand Russell powerfullovemen My whole religion is this: do every duty, and expect no reward for it, either here or hereafter. Bertrand Russell rewardsdutyreligion If you think your belief is based upon reason, you will support it by argument rather than by persecution, and will abandon it if the argument goes against you. But if your belief is based upon faith, you will realize that argument is useless, and will therefore resort to force either in the form of persecution or by stunting or distorting the minds of the young in what is called 'education.' Bertrand Russell intelligencesupportthinking Find more pleasure in intelligent dissent than in passive agreement, for, if you value intelligence as you should, the former implies a deeper agreement than the latter. Bertrand Russell pleasureintelligentagreement Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality. Bertrand Russell doubt-and-certaintyessentialsthinking The more things a man is interested in, the more opportunities of happiness he has and the less he is at the mercy of fate, since if he loses one thing he can fall back upon another. Bertrand Russell fateopportunityfall To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. Bertrand Russell wisdomsuccessinspirational Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. Bertrand Russell strongfearlife Perhaps the best hope for the future of mankind is that ways will be found of increasing the scope and intensity of sympathy. Bertrand Russell intensityfoundway To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness. Bertrand Russell motivationalhappinessinspirational War doesn't determine who's right, it determines who's left Bertrand Russell leftdeterminewar We are told that Sin consists in acting contrary to God's commands, but we are also told that God is omnipotent. If He is, nothing contrary to His will can occur; therefore when the sinner disobeys His commands, He must have intended this to happen. Bertrand Russell humorousgodfunny It is likely that America will be more important during the next century or two, but after that it may well be the turn of China. Bertrand Russell importanttwoamerica Do not feel envious of the happiness of those who live in a fool's paradise, for only a fool will think that is happiness. Bertrand Russell paradisefoolthinking Men who allow their love of power to give them a distorted view of the world are to be found in every asylum: one man will think he is the Governor of the Bank of England, another will think he is the King, and yet another will think he is God. Highly similar delusions, if expressed by educated men in obscure language, lead to professorships of philosophy; and if expressed by emotional men in eloquent language, lead to dictatorships. Bertrand Russell kingsmenphilosophy Most human beings, though in varying degrees, desire to control, not only their own lives but also the lives of others Bertrand Russell lives-of-othersdegreesdesire The knowledge exists by which universal happiness can be secured; the chief obstacle to its utilization for that purpose is the teaching of religion. Religion prevents our children from having a rational education; religion prevents us from removing the fundamental causes of war; religion prevents us from teaching the ethic of scientific cooperation in place of the old fierce doctrines of sin and punishment. It is possible that mankind is on the threshold of a golden age; but, if so, it will be necessary first to slay the dragon that guards the door, and this dragon is religion. Bertrand Russell teachingwarchildren The opinions that are held with passion are always those for which no good ground exists; indeed the passion is the measure of the holders lack of rational conviction. Opinions in politics and religion are almost always held passionately. Bertrand Russell critical-thinkingpassionopinion Religion is something left over from the infancy of our intelligence, it will fade away as we adopt reason and science as our guidelines. Bertrand Russell infancy-isfearscience
