When our individual interests and prospects do not seem worth living for, we are in desperate need for something apart from us to live for. All forms of dedication, devotion, loyalty and self-surrender are in essence a desperate clinging to something which might give worth and meaning to our futile, spoiled lives.
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When reality becomes unbearable, the mind must withdraw from it and create a world of artificial perfection. Plato's world of read more
When reality becomes unbearable, the mind must withdraw from it and create a world of artificial perfection. Plato's world of pure Ideas and Forms, which alone is to be considered as real, whereas the world of nature which we perceive is merely its cheap Woolworth copy, is a flight into delusion.
I have only a small flickering light to guide me in the darkness of a thick forest. Up comes a read more
I have only a small flickering light to guide me in the darkness of a thick forest. Up comes a theologian and blows it out.
We believe at once in evil, we only believe in good upon reflection. Is this not sad?.
We believe at once in evil, we only believe in good upon reflection. Is this not sad?.
Civilization is unbearable, but it is less unbearable at the top.
Civilization is unbearable, but it is less unbearable at the top.
Take your work seriously, but never yourself.
Take your work seriously, but never yourself.
If I were a gambler, I would take even money that England will not exist in the year 2000.
If I were a gambler, I would take even money that England will not exist in the year 2000.
Unbounded morality ultimately becomes counterproductive even in terms of the same moral principles being sought. The law of diminishing returns read more
Unbounded morality ultimately becomes counterproductive even in terms of the same moral principles being sought. The law of diminishing returns applies to morality.
Whenever the government of the United States shall break up, it will probably be in consequence of a false direction read more
Whenever the government of the United States shall break up, it will probably be in consequence of a false direction having been given to publick opinion. This is the weak point of our defenses, and the part to which the enemies of the system will direct all their attacks. Opinion can be so perverted as to cause the false to seem the true; the enemy, a friend, and the friend, an enemy; the best interests of the nation to appear insignificant, and trifles of moment; in a word, the right the wrong, and the wrong the right.
The avowed aim of all utopian movements is to put an end to history and to establish a final and read more
The avowed aim of all utopian movements is to put an end to history and to establish a final and permanent calm.
