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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...the more original a discovery the more obvious it seems afterwards.
...the more original a discovery the more obvious it seems afterwards.
When you want to organize knowledge. you will be careful to base the classification upon essential qualities. You will thus read more
When you want to organize knowledge. you will be careful to base the classification upon essential qualities. You will thus derive classes in which the members have the greatest amount of resemblance to one another and the greatest amount of difference from the members of other classes. But suppose that, instead of organizing knowledge, you set out to organize ignorance and prejudice. You will then do precisely the opposite...You will keep the classification vague and flexible, so that it can be made to include just whatever individuals you choose.
The mentality of an army on the march is merely so much delayed adolescence; it remains persistently, incorrigibly and notoriously read more
The mentality of an army on the march is merely so much delayed adolescence; it remains persistently, incorrigibly and notoriously infantile.
Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
Avoid having your ego so close to your position that when your position falls, your ego goes with it.
Violence arises not out of superfluity of power but out of powerlessness.
Violence arises not out of superfluity of power but out of powerlessness.
It needs some intelligence to be truly selfish. The unintelligent can only be self-righteous.
It needs some intelligence to be truly selfish. The unintelligent can only be self-righteous.
Good means not merely not to do wrong, but rather not to desire to do wrong.
Good means not merely not to do wrong, but rather not to desire to do wrong.
Fear comes from uncertainty. When we are absolutely certain, whether of our worth or our worthlessness, we are almost impervious read more
Fear comes from uncertainty. When we are absolutely certain, whether of our worth or our worthlessness, we are almost impervious to fear. Thus a feeling of utter worthlessness can be a source of courage.
The highest stage in moral culture at which we can arrive is when we recognize that we ought to control read more
The highest stage in moral culture at which we can arrive is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.
