Whoever wishes to become a philosopher must learn not to be frightened by absurdities. Bertrand Russell More Quotes by Bertrand Russell More Quotes From Bertrand Russell If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have a paradise in a few years. Bertrand Russell hippiehappyhappiness The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed in view of the silliness of the majority of mankind, a widely spread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible. Bertrand Russell parentinglearningknowledge More important than the curriculum is the question of the methods of teaching and the spirit in which the teaching is given Bertrand Russell educationalteachingteacher We may define "faith" as the firm belief in something for which there is no evidence. Where there is evidence, no one speaks of "faith." We do not speak of faith that two and two are four or that the earth is round. We only speak of faith when we wish to substitute emotion for evidence. The substitution of emotion for evidence is apt to lead to strife, since different groups, substitute different emotions. Bertrand Russell wishtworeligion Cruel men believe in a cruel god and use their belief to excuse their cruelty. Only kindly men believe in a kindly god, and they would be kindly in any case. Bertrand Russell menbelievereligion Life is just one cup of coffee after another, and don't look for anything else. Bertrand Russell cupscoffeelooks You must believe that you can help bring about a better world. Bertrand Russell helpingbelieveworld The problem with the wise is they are so filled with doubts while the dull are so certain. Bertrand Russell faithwisedoubt Bolshevism is to be reckoned with Mohammedanism rather than with Christianity and Buddhism. Christianity and Buddhism are primarily personal religions, with mystical doctrines and a love of contemplation. Mohammedanism and Bolshevism are practical, social, unspiritual, concerned to win the empire of the world. Bertrand Russell buddhismislamwinning Passive acceptance of the teacher's wisdom is easy to most boys and girls. It involves no effort of independent thought, and seems rational because the teacher knows more than his pupils; it is moreover the way to win the favour of the teacher unless he is a very exceptional man. Yet the habit of passive acceptance is a disastrous one in later life. It causes man to seek and to accept a leader, and to accept as a leader whoever is established in that position. Bertrand Russell girlleadershipteacher There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge. Bertrand Russell pleasureuselessknowledge When a man tells you that he knows the exact truth about anything you are safe in inferring that he is an inexact man. Bertrand Russell truthsafemen War does not determine who is right - only who is left. Bertrand Russell militarywarpeace Prison is a severe and terrible punishment; but for me, thanks to Arthur Balfour, this was not so. I was much cheered on my arrival by the warder at the gate, who had to take particulars about me. He asked my religion, and I replied 'agnostic.' He asked how to spell it, and remarked with a sigh: 'Well, there are many religions, but I suppose they all worship the same God.' This remark kept me cheerful for about a week. Bertrand Russell punishmentgodreligion The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation. Bertrand Russell collaborationchangeteamwork Every great idea starts out as a blasphemy. Bertrand Russell blasphemygreat-ideaideas We have in fact, two kinds of morality, side by side: one which we preach, but do not practice, and another which we practice, but seldom preach. Bertrand Russell ethics-and-moralspracticetwo The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. Bertrand Russell confidencesuccessinspirational A stupid man's report of what a clever man says can never be accurate, because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand. Bertrand Russell smartstupidclever Love and knowledge, so far as they were possible, led upward toward the heavens. But always pity brought me back to earth. Echoes of cries of pain reverberate in my heart. Children in famine, victims tortured by oppressors, helpless old people a burden to their sons, and the whole world of loneliness, poverty, and pain make a mockery of what human life should be. I long to alleviate this evil, but I cannot, and I too suffer. Bertrand Russell paininspirationalchildren
