Bertrand Russell Quotes - Page 48

• At first it seems obvious, but the more you think about it the stranger the deductions from this axiom seem to become; in the end you cease to understand what is meant by it.

  Bertrand Russell

  Math, Thinking, Understanding

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• It is in the nature of imperialism that citizens of the imperial power are always among the last to know-or care-about circumstances in the colonies.

  Bertrand Russell

  Tyrants, Citizens, Care

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• Boys and young men acquire readily the moral sentiments of their social milieu, whatever these sentiments may be.

  Bertrand Russell

  Boys, Men, May

  Bertrand Russell (2013). “Human Society in Ethics and Politics”, p.76, Routledge

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• The solution of the difficulties which formerly surrounded the mathematical infinite is probably the greatest achievement of which our age has to boast.

  Bertrand Russell

  Discovery, Achievement, Age

  Bertrand Russell, Kenneth Blackwell (1985). “The Collected Papers of Bertrand Russell: Contemplation and action, 1902-14”, Allen & Unwin Australia

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• 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.

  Bertrand Russell

  Football, War, Men

  Bertrand Russell (2009). “The Basic Writings of Bertrand Russell”, p.451, Routledge

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• 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.

  Bertrand Russell

  Philosophy, Pirate, Would Be

  Bertrand Russell (2009). “Unpopular Essays”, p.51, Routledge

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• 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.

  Bertrand Russell

  Sex, Law, Feelings

  Bertrand Russell (2009). “Marriage and Morals”, p.71, Routledge

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• The human animal, like others, is adapted to a certain amount of struggle for life [and] the mere absence of effort from his life removes an essential ingredient of happiness. [. . .] He forgets that to be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.

  Bertrand Russell

  Struggle, Animal, Effort

  Bertrand Russell (2013). “The Conquest of Happiness”, p.14, W. W. Norton & Company

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• So long as there is death there will be sorrow, and so long as there is sorrow it can be no part of the duty of human beings to increase its amount, in spite of the fact that a few rare spirits know how to transmute it.

  Bertrand Russell

  Long, Sorrow, Facts

  Bertrand Russell (2009). “The Basic Writings of Bertrand Russell”, p.333, Routledge

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• As a lover of truth, the national propaganda of all the belligerent nations sickened me. As a lover of civilization, the return to barbarism appalled me.

  Bertrand Russell

  Civilization, Return, Lovers

  Bertrand Russell, Ray Perkins (Jr.) (2002). “Yours Faithfully, Bertrand Russell: A Lifelong Fight for Peace, Justice, and Truth in Letters to the Editor”, p.33, Open Court Publishing

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• It has become a commonplace that aggressiveness also often has its roots in fear. I am inclined to think that this theory has been pushed too far. [...] The type of aggressiveness that is the outcome of timidity is not, I think, that which inspires great leaders; the great leaders, I should say, have an exceptional self-confidence which is not only on the surface, but penetrates deep into the subconscious.

  Bertrand Russell

  Self Confidence, Thinking, Roots

  Bertrand Russell (2004). “Power: A New Social Analysis”, p.32, Routledge

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• The most essential characteristic of scientific technique is that it proceeds from experiment, not from tradition.

  Bertrand Russell

  Technique, Essentials, Tradition

  Bertrand Russell (2009). “The Scientific Outlook”, p.125, Routledge

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• No other organization rouses anything like the loyalty aroused by the national State. And the chief activity of the State is preparation for large-scale homicide.

  Bertrand Russell

  Loyalty, Organization, Preparation

  Bertrand Russell (2004). “Power: A New Social Analysis”, p.173, Psychology Press

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• We believe, first and foremost, what makes us feel that we are fine fellows.

  Bertrand Russell

  Believe, Firsts, Fine

  Bertrand Russell (2009). “The Basic Writings of Bertrand Russell”, p.52, Routledge

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• It is only theory that makes men completely incautious.

  Bertrand Russell

  Men, Theory

  Bertrand Russell (2009). “Unpopular Essays”, p.159, Routledge

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• Unfortunately, however, power is sweet, and the man who in the beginning seeks power merely in order to have scope for his benevolence is likely, before long, to love the power for its own sake.

  Bertrand Russell

  Sweet, Men, Order

  Bertrand Russell, Harry Ruja (2014). “Mortals and Others, Volume II: American Essays 1931-1935”, p.115, Routledge

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• With subjectivity in philosophy, anarchism in politics goes hand in hand. Already during Luther's lifetime, unwelcome and unacknowledged disciples had developed the doctrine of Anabaptism, which for a time dominated the city of Munster. The Anabaptists repudiated all law since they held that good men will be guided at every moment by the Holy Spirit, who can not be bound by formulas. From this premise they arrive at communism and sexual promiscuity; they were therefore exterminated after a heroic resistance.

  Bertrand Russell

  Philosophy, Men, Hands

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• Through the greatness of the universe, which philosophy contemplates, the mind also is rendered great, and becomes capable of that union with the universe which constitutes its highest good.

  Bertrand Russell

  Philosophy, Greatness, Mind

  Bertrand Russell (1997). “The Problems of Philosophy”, p.161, Oxford University Press, USA

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• Even in civilized mankind faint traces of monogamous instinct can be perceived.

  Bertrand Russell

  Marriage, Instinct, Mankind

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