To a modern mind, it is difficult to feel enthusiastic about a virtuous life if nothing is going to be achieved by it. Bertrand Russell More Quotes by Bertrand Russell More Quotes From Bertrand Russell The finding of arguments for a conclusion given in advance is not philosophy, but special pleading Bertrand Russell argument special philosophy I say people who feel they must have a faith or religion in order to face life are showing a kind of cowardice, which in any other sphere would be considered contemptible. But when it is in the religious sphere it is thought admirable, and I cannot admire cowardice whatever sphere it is in. Bertrand Russell religious order people If we were all given by magic the power to read each other's thoughts, I suppose the first effect would be to dissolve all friendships. Bertrand Russell friendship-love magic firsts But as the work proceeded I was continually reminded of the fable about the elephant and the tortoise. Having constructed an elephant upon which the mathematical world could rest, I found the elephant tottering, and proceeded to construct a tortoise to keep the elephant from falling. But the tortoise was not more secure than the elephant, and after some twenty years of very arduous toil, I came to the conclusion that there was nothing more that I could do in the way of making mathematical knowledge indubitable. Bertrand Russell elephants years fall Government can easily exist without laws, but law cannot exist without government. Bertrand Russell government law Order, unity, and continuity are human inventions, just as truly as catalogues and encyclopedias. Bertrand Russell invention unity order Philosophy, from the earliest times, has made greater claims, and achieved fewer results, than any other branch of learning. Bertrand Russell branches claims philosophy Dread of disaster makes everybody act in the very way that increases the disaster. Bertrand Russell increase disaster way The commonest objection to birth control is that it is against nature. Bertrand Russell objections birth birth-control If the youth is content to abandon his previous associates and to throw in his lot whole-heartedly with the rulers, he may, after suitable tests, be promoted, but if he shows any regrettable solidarity with his previous associates, the rulers will reluctantly conclude that there is nothing to be done with him except to send him to the lethal chamber before his ill-disciplined intelligence has had time to spread revolt. This will be a painful duty to the rulers, but I think they will not shrink from performing it. Bertrand Russell done may thinking I believe in using words, not fists. I believe in my outrage knowing people are living in boxes on the street. I believe in honesty. I believe in a good time. I believe in good food. I believe in sex. Bertrand Russell honesty believe sex Gradually, ... the aspect of science as knowledge is being thrust into the background by the aspect of science as the power of manipulating nature. It is because science gives us the power of manipulating nature that it has more social importance than art. Science as the pursuit of truth is the equal, but not the superior, of art. Science as a technique, though it may have little intrinsic value, has a practical importance to which art cannot aspire. Bertrand Russell science knowledge art Whenever you find yourself getting angry about a difference of opinion, be on your guard; you will probably find, on examination, that your belief is going beyond what the evidence warrants. Bertrand Russell finding-yourself examination differences I wish to propose for the reader's favourable consideration a doctrine which may, I fear, appear wildly paradoxical and subversive. The doctrine in question is this: that it is undesirable to believe a proposition when there is no ground whatever for supposing it true. Bertrand Russell supposing-that believe thinking If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way. Bertrand Russell truth men believe When you are studying any matter or considering any philosophy, ask yourself only: what are the facts, and what is the truth that the facts bear out. Never let yourself be diverted by what you wish to believe, but look only and surely at what are the facts. Bertrand Russell wish philosophy believe A truer image of the world, I think, is obtained by picturing things as entering into the stream of time from an eternal world outside, than from a view which regards time as the devouring tyrant of all that is. Bertrand Russell truth time thinking One must care about a world one will not see. Bertrand Russell future ignorance peace Every advance in civilization has been denounced as unnatural while it was recent Bertrand Russell openness nature civilization There is no need to worry about mere size. We do not necessarily respect a fat man more than a thin man. Sir Isaac Newton was very much smaller than a hippopotamus, but we do not on that account value him less. Bertrand Russell weight-loss men funny
