Ideals are very often formed in the effort to escape from the hard task of dealing with facts, which is the function of science and art. There is no process by which to reach an ideal. There are no tests by which to verify it. It is therefore impossible to frame a proposition about an ideal which can be proved or disproved. It follows that the use of ideals is to be strictly limited to proper cases, and that the attempt to use ideals in social discussion does not deserve serious consideration.
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Probably the difference between man and the monkeys is that the monkeys are merely bored, while man has boredom plus read more
Probably the difference between man and the monkeys is that the monkeys are merely bored, while man has boredom plus imagination.
To be truly selfish one needs a degree of self-esteem. The self-despisers are less intent on their own increase than read more
To be truly selfish one needs a degree of self-esteem. The self-despisers are less intent on their own increase than on the diminution of others. Where self-esteem is unattainable, envy takes the place of greed.
Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it read more
Don't be afraid of the space between your dreams and reality. If you can dream it, you can make it so.
Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.
Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.
The human understanding is no dry light, but receives infusion from the will and affections; which proceed sciences which may read more
The human understanding is no dry light, but receives infusion from the will and affections; which proceed sciences which may be called "sciences as one would." For what a man had rather were true he more readily believes. Therefore he rejects difficult things from impatience of research; sober things, because they narrow hope; the deeper things of nature, from superstition; the light of experience, from arrogance and pride; things not commonly believed, out of deference to the opinion of the vulgar. Numberless in short are the ways, and sometimes imperceptible, in which the affections color and infect the understanding.
It is characteristic of all movements and crusades that the psychopathic element rises to the top.
It is characteristic of all movements and crusades that the psychopathic element rises to the top.
We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.
We all have private ails. The troublemakers are they who need public cures for their private ails.
All weakness tends to corrupt, and impotence corrupts absolutely.
All weakness tends to corrupt, and impotence corrupts absolutely.
Human reason can neither predict nor deliberately shape its own future. Its advances consist in finding out where it has read more
Human reason can neither predict nor deliberately shape its own future. Its advances consist in finding out where it has been wrong.
