Bertrand Russell ( 10 of 71 )
Every advance in civilization has been denounced as unnatural while it was recent
Every advance in civilization has been denounced as unnatural while it was recent
Most people would rather die than think: many do.
Most people would rather die than think: many do.
In America everybody is of the opinion that he has no social superiors, since all men are equal, but he read more
In America everybody is of the opinion that he has no social superiors, since all men are equal, but he does not admit that he has no social inferiors, for, from the time of Jefferson onward, the doctrine that all men are equal applies only upwards, not downwards.
Machines are worshipped because they are beautiful, and valued because they confer power; they are hated because they are hideous, read more
Machines are worshipped because they are beautiful, and valued because they confer power; they are hated because they are hideous, and loathed because they impose slavery
The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way. Persecution is read more
The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way. Persecution is used in theology, not in arithmetic.
To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization, and at present very few people have read more
To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization, and at present very few people have reached this level.
The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd; indeed, read more
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 wide-spread belief is more likely to be foolish than sensible
Much that passes as idealism is disguised hatred or disguised love of power.
Much that passes as idealism is disguised hatred or disguised love of power.
One should respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, read more
One should respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny
With the introduction of agriculture mankind entered upon a long period of meanness, misery, and madness, from which they are read more
With the introduction of agriculture mankind entered upon a long period of meanness, misery, and madness, from which they are only now being freed by the beneficent operation of the machine.
