Bertrand Russell Quotes And Sayings

Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, OM, FRS was a British philosopher, logician, mathematician, historian, writer, social critic, political activist and Nobel laureate. He is widely held to be one of the 20th century’s premier logicians. His philosophical essay “On Denoting” has been considered a “paradigm of philosophy”. His work has had a considerable influence on mathematics, logic, set theory, linguistics, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, computer science, and philosophy, especially the philosophy of language, epistemology, and metaphysics.

The Good Life Is One Inspired By Love And Guided By Knowledge.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (1) - The Good Life Is One Inspired By Lo... - QuotesThe Good Life Is One Inspired By Love And Guided By Knowledge.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (1) - The Good Life Is One Inspired By Lo... - Quotes

Three Passions, Simple But Overwhelmingly Strong, Have Governed My Life: The Longing For Love, The Search For Knowledge, And Unbearable Pity For The Suffering Of Mankind.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (10) - Three Passions, Simple But Overwhe... - QuotesThree Passions, Simple But Overwhelmingly Strong, Have Governed My Life: The Longing For Love, The Search For Knowledge, And Unbearable Pity For The Suffering Of Mankind.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (10) - Three Passions, Simple But Overwhe... - Quotes

The Demand For Certainty Is One Which Is Natural To Man, But Is Nevertheless An Intellectual Vice.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (100) - The Demand For Certainty Is One W... - QuotesThe Demand For Certainty Is One Which Is Natural To Man, But Is Nevertheless An Intellectual Vice.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (100) - The Demand For Certainty Is One W... - Quotes

The Infliction Of Cruelty With A Good Conscience Is A Delight To Moralists. That Is Why They Invented Hell.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (101) - The Infliction Of Cruelty With A ... - QuotesThe Infliction Of Cruelty With A Good Conscience Is A Delight To Moralists. That Is Why They Invented Hell.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (101) - The Infliction Of Cruelty With A ... - Quotes

There Is Something Feeble And A Little Contemptible About A Man Who Cannot Face The Perils Of Life Without The Help Of Comfortable Myths.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (103) - There Is Something Feeble And A L... - QuotesThere Is Something Feeble And A Little Contemptible About A Man Who Cannot Face The Perils Of Life Without The Help Of Comfortable Myths.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (103) - There Is Something Feeble And A L... - Quotes

Collective Fear Stimulates Herd Instinct, And Tends To Produce Ferocity Toward Those Who Are Not Regarded As Members Of The Herd.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (102) - Collective Fear Stimulates Herd I... - QuotesCollective Fear Stimulates Herd Instinct, And Tends To Produce Ferocity Toward Those Who Are Not Regarded As Members Of The Herd.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (102) - Collective Fear Stimulates Herd I... - Quotes

Liberty Is The Right To Do What I Like; License, The Right To Do What You Like.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (104) - Liberty Is The Right To Do What I... - QuotesLiberty Is The Right To Do What I Like; License, The Right To Do What You Like.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (104) - Liberty Is The Right To Do What I... - Quotes

Ethics Is In Origin The Art Of Recommending To Others The Sacrifices Required For Cooperation With Oneself.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (106) - Ethics Is In Origin The Art Of Re... - QuotesEthics Is In Origin The Art Of Recommending To Others The Sacrifices Required For Cooperation With Oneself.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (106) - Ethics Is In Origin The Art Of Re... - Quotes

Men Who Are Unhappy, Like Men Who Sleep Badly, Are Always Proud Of The Fact.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (105) - Men Who Are Unhappy, Like Men Who... - QuotesMen Who Are Unhappy, Like Men Who Sleep Badly, Are Always Proud Of The Fact.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (105) - Men Who Are Unhappy, Like Men Who... - Quotes

Reason Is A Harmonising, Controlling Force Rather Than A Creative One.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (107) - Reason Is A Harmonising, Controll... - QuotesReason Is A Harmonising, Controlling Force Rather Than A Creative One.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (107) - Reason Is A Harmonising, Controll... - Quotes

Indignation Is A Submission Of Our Thoughts, But Not Of Our Desires.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (109) - Indignation Is A Submission Of Ou... - QuotesIndignation Is A Submission Of Our Thoughts, But Not Of Our Desires.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (109) - Indignation Is A Submission Of Ou... - Quotes

Awareness Of Universals Is Called Conceiving, And A Universal Of Which We Are Aware Is Called A Concept.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (108) - Awareness Of Universals Is Called... - QuotesAwareness Of Universals Is Called Conceiving, And A Universal Of Which We Are Aware Is Called A Concept.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (108) - Awareness Of Universals Is Called... - Quotes

Love Is Something Far More Than Desire For Sexual Intercourse; It Is The Principal Means Of Escape From The Loneliness Which Afflicts Most Men And Women Throughout The Greater Part Of Their Lives.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (11) - Love Is Something Far More Than De... - QuotesLove Is Something Far More Than Desire For Sexual Intercourse; It Is The Principal Means Of Escape From The Loneliness Which Afflicts Most Men And Women Throughout The Greater Part Of Their Lives.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (11) - Love Is Something Far More Than De... - Quotes

Admiration Of The Proletariat, Like That Of Dams, Power Stations, And Aeroplanes, Is Part Of The Ideology Of The Machine Age.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (111) - Admiration Of The Proletariat, Li... - QuotesAdmiration Of The Proletariat, Like That Of Dams, Power Stations, And Aeroplanes, Is Part Of The Ideology Of The Machine Age.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (111) - Admiration Of The Proletariat, Li... - Quotes

I Remain Convinced That Obstinate Addiction To Ordinary Language In Our Private Thoughts Is One Of The Main Obstacles To Progress In Philosophy.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (110) - I Remain Convinced That Obstinate... - QuotesI Remain Convinced That Obstinate Addiction To Ordinary Language In Our Private Thoughts Is One Of The Main Obstacles To Progress In Philosophy.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (110) - I Remain Convinced That Obstinate... - Quotes

Many A Man Will Have The Courage To Die Gallantly, But Will Not Have The Courage To Say, Or Even To Think, That The Cause For Which He Is Asked To Die Is An Unworthy One.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (112) - Many A Man Will Have The Courage ... - QuotesMany A Man Will Have The Courage To Die Gallantly, But Will Not Have The Courage To Say, Or Even To Think, That The Cause For Which He Is Asked To Die Is An Unworthy One.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (112) - Many A Man Will Have The Courage ... - Quotes

To Understand A Name You Must Be Acquainted With The Particular Of Which It Is A Name.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (114) - To Understand A Name You Must Be ... - QuotesTo Understand A Name You Must Be Acquainted With The Particular Of Which It Is A Name.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (114) - To Understand A Name You Must Be ... - Quotes

In The Revolt Against Idealism, The Ambiguities Of The Word Experience Have Been Perceived, With The Result That Realists Have More And More Avoided The Word.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (113) - In The Revolt Against Idealism, T... - QuotesIn The Revolt Against Idealism, The Ambiguities Of The Word Experience Have Been Perceived, With The Result That Realists Have More And More Avoided The Word.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (113) - In The Revolt Against Idealism, T... - Quotes

Religions, Which Condemn The Pleasures Of Sense, Drive Men To Seek The Pleasures Of Power. Throughout History Power Has Been The Vice Of The Ascetic.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (115) - Religions, Which Condemn The Plea... - QuotesReligions, Which Condemn The Pleasures Of Sense, Drive Men To Seek The Pleasures Of Power. Throughout History Power Has Been The Vice Of The Ascetic.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (115) - Religions, Which Condemn The Plea... - Quotes

If All Our Happiness Is Bound Up Entirely In Our Personal Circumstances It Is Difficult Not To Demand Of Life More Than It Has To Give.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (117) - If All Our Happiness Is Bound Up ... - QuotesIf All Our Happiness Is Bound Up Entirely In Our Personal Circumstances It Is Difficult Not To Demand Of Life More Than It Has To Give.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (117) - If All Our Happiness Is Bound Up ... - Quotes

It Is Possible That Mankind Is On The Threshold Of A Golden Age; But, If So, It Will Be Necessary First To Slay The Dragon That Guards The Door, And This Dragon Is Religion.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (116) - It Is Possible That Mankind Is On... - QuotesIt Is Possible That Mankind Is On The Threshold Of A Golden Age; But, If So, It Will Be Necessary First To Slay The Dragon That Guards The Door, And This Dragon Is Religion.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (116) - It Is Possible That Mankind Is On... - Quotes

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.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (118) - Machines Are Worshipped Because T... - QuotesMachines 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.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (118) - Machines Are Worshipped Because T... - Quotes

Why Is Propaganda So Much More Successful When It Stirs Up Hatred Than When It Tries To Stir Up Friendly Feeling?

Bertrand Russell Quotes (12) - Why Is Propaganda So Much More Suc... - QuotesWhy Is Propaganda So Much More Successful When It Stirs Up Hatred Than When It Tries To Stir Up Friendly Feeling?

Bertrand Russell Quotes (12) - Why Is Propaganda So Much More Suc... - Quotes

Mathematics May Be Defined As The Subject In Which We Never Know What We Are Talking About, Nor Whether What We Are Saying Is True.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (119) - Mathematics May Be Defined As The... - QuotesMathematics May Be Defined As The Subject In Which We Never Know What We Are Talking About, Nor Whether What We Are Saying Is True.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (119) - Mathematics May Be Defined As The... - Quotes

The Slave Is Doomed To Worship Time And Fate And Death, Because They Are Greater Than Anything He Finds In Himself, And Because All His Thoughts Are Of Things Which They Devour.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (120) - The Slave Is Doomed To Worship Ti... - QuotesThe Slave Is Doomed To Worship Time And Fate And Death, Because They Are Greater Than Anything He Finds In Himself, And Because All His Thoughts Are Of Things Which They Devour.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (120) - The Slave Is Doomed To Worship Ti... - Quotes

The Fundamental Concept In Social Science Is Power, In The Same Sense In Which Energy Is The Fundamental Concept In Physics.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (122) - The Fundamental Concept In Social... - QuotesThe Fundamental Concept In Social Science Is Power, In The Same Sense In Which Energy Is The Fundamental Concept In Physics.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (122) - The Fundamental Concept In Social... - Quotes

Freedom Comes Only To Those Who No Longer Ask Of Life That It Shall Yield Them Any Of Those Personal Goods That Are Subject To The Mutations Of Time.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (121) - Freedom Comes Only To Those Who N... - QuotesFreedom Comes Only To Those Who No Longer Ask Of Life That It Shall Yield Them Any Of Those Personal Goods That Are Subject To The Mutations Of Time.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (121) - Freedom Comes Only To Those Who N... - Quotes

When The Intensity Of Emotional Conviction Subsides, A Man Who Is In The Habit Of Reasoning Will Search For Logical Grounds In Favour Of The Belief Which He Finds In Himself.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (123) - When The Intensity Of Emotional C... - QuotesWhen The Intensity Of Emotional Conviction Subsides, A Man Who Is In The Habit Of Reasoning Will Search For Logical Grounds In Favour Of The Belief Which He Finds In Himself.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (123) - When The Intensity Of Emotional C... - Quotes

To Acquire Immunity To Eloquence Is Of The Utmost Importance To The Citizens Of A Democracy.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (124) - To Acquire Immunity To Eloquence ... - QuotesTo Acquire Immunity To Eloquence Is Of The Utmost Importance To The Citizens Of A Democracy.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (124) - To Acquire Immunity To Eloquence ... - Quotes

I Do Not Pretend To Start With Precise Questions. I Do Not Think You Can Start With Anything Precise. You Have To Achieve Such Precision As You Can, As You Go Along.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (125) - I Do Not Pretend To Start With Pr... - QuotesI Do Not Pretend To Start With Precise Questions. I Do Not Think You Can Start With Anything Precise. You Have To Achieve Such Precision As You Can, As You Go Along.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (125) - I Do Not Pretend To Start With Pr... - Quotes

Aristotle Could Have Avoided The Mistake Of Thinking That Women Have Fewer Teeth Than Men, By The Simple Device Of Asking Mrs. Aristotle To Keep Her Mouth Open While He Counted.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (126) - Aristotle Could Have Avoided The ... - QuotesAristotle Could Have Avoided The Mistake Of Thinking That Women Have Fewer Teeth Than Men, By The Simple Device Of Asking Mrs. Aristotle To Keep Her Mouth Open While He Counted.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (126) - Aristotle Could Have Avoided The ... - Quotes

The Megalomaniac Differs From The Narcissist By The Fact That He Wishes To Be Powerful Rather Than Charming, And Seeks To Be Feared Rather Than Loved. To This Type Belong Many Lunatics And Most Of The Great Men Of History.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (128) - The Megalomaniac Differs From The... - QuotesThe Megalomaniac Differs From The Narcissist By The Fact That He Wishes To Be Powerful Rather Than Charming, And Seeks To Be Feared Rather Than Loved. To This Type Belong Many Lunatics And Most Of The Great Men Of History.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (128) - The Megalomaniac Differs From The... - Quotes

If Any Philosopher Had Been Asked For A Definition Of Infinity, He Might Have Produced Some Unintelligible Rigmarole, But He Would Certainly Not Have Been Able To Give A Definition That Had Any Meaning At All.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (127) - If Any Philosopher Had Been Asked... - QuotesIf Any Philosopher Had Been Asked For A Definition Of Infinity, He Might Have Produced Some Unintelligible Rigmarole, But He Would Certainly Not Have Been Able To Give A Definition That Had Any Meaning At All.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (127) - If Any Philosopher Had Been Asked... - Quotes

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.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (129) - With The Introduction Of Agricult... - QuotesWith 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.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (129) - With The Introduction Of Agricult... - Quotes

A Truer Image Of The World, I Think, Is Obtained By Picturing Things As Entering Into The Stream Of Time From An Eternal World Outside, Than From A View Which Regards Time As The Devouring Tyrant Of All That Is.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (130) - A Truer Image Of The World, I Thi... - QuotesA Truer Image Of The World, I Think, Is Obtained By Picturing Things As Entering Into The Stream Of Time From An Eternal World Outside, Than From A View Which Regards Time As The Devouring Tyrant Of All That Is.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (130) - A Truer Image Of The World, I Thi... - Quotes

Dogmatism And Skepticism Are Both, In A Sense, Absolute Philosophies; One Is Certain Of Knowing, The Other Of Not Knowing. What Philosophy Should Dissipate Is Certainty, Whether Of Knowledge Or Ignorance.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (13) - Dogmatism And Skepticism Are Both,... - QuotesDogmatism And Skepticism Are Both, In A Sense, Absolute Philosophies; One Is Certain Of Knowing, The Other Of Not Knowing. What Philosophy Should Dissipate Is Certainty, Whether Of Knowledge Or Ignorance.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (13) - Dogmatism And Skepticism Are Both,... - Quotes

Every Philosophical Problem, When It Is Subjected To The Necessary Analysis And Justification, Is Found Either To Be Not Really Philosophical At All, Or Else To Be, In The Sense In Which We Are Using The Word, Logical.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (131) - Every Philosophical Problem, When... - QuotesEvery Philosophical Problem, When It Is Subjected To The Necessary Analysis And Justification, Is Found Either To Be Not Really Philosophical At All, Or Else To Be, In The Sense In Which We Are Using The Word, Logical.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (131) - Every Philosophical Problem, When... - Quotes

The Pleasure Of Work Is Open To Anyone Who Can Develop Some Specialised Skill, Provided That He Can Get Satisfaction From The Exercise Of His Skill Without Demanding Universal Applause.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (132) - The Pleasure Of Work Is Open To A... - QuotesThe Pleasure Of Work Is Open To Anyone Who Can Develop Some Specialised Skill, Provided That He Can Get Satisfaction From The Exercise Of His Skill Without Demanding Universal Applause.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (132) - The Pleasure Of Work Is Open To A... - Quotes

The Man Who Can Centre His Thoughts And Hopes Upon Something Transcending Self Can Find A Certain Peace In The Ordinary Troubles Of Life, Which Is Impossible To The Pure Egoist.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (133) - The Man Who Can Centre His Though... - QuotesThe Man Who Can Centre His Thoughts And Hopes Upon Something Transcending Self Can Find A Certain Peace In The Ordinary Troubles Of Life, Which Is Impossible To The Pure Egoist.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (133) - The Man Who Can Centre His Though... - Quotes

One Should Respect Public Opinion Insofar As Is Necessary To Avoid Starvation And Keep Out Of Prison, But Anything That Goes Beyond This Is Voluntary Submission To An Unnecessary Tyranny.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (14) - One Should Respect Public Opinion ... - QuotesOne Should Respect Public Opinion Insofar As Is Necessary To Avoid Starvation And Keep Out Of Prison, But Anything That Goes Beyond This Is Voluntary Submission To An Unnecessary Tyranny.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (14) - One Should Respect Public Opinion ... - Quotes

I Would Never Die For My Beliefs Because I Might Be Wrong.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (16) - I Would Never Die For My Beliefs B... - QuotesI Would Never Die For My Beliefs Because I Might Be Wrong.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (16) - I Would Never Die For My Beliefs B... - Quotes

The Whole Problem With The World Is That Fools And Fanatics Are Always So Certain Of Themselves, And Wiser People So Full Of Doubts.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (15) - The Whole Problem With The World I... - QuotesThe Whole Problem With The World Is That Fools And Fanatics Are Always So Certain Of Themselves, And Wiser People So Full Of Doubts.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (15) - The Whole Problem With The World I... - Quotes

It Has Been Said That Man Is A Rational Animal. All My Life I Have Been Searching For Evidence Which Could Support This.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (17) - It Has Been Said That Man Is A Rat... - QuotesIt Has Been Said That Man Is A Rational Animal. All My Life I Have Been Searching For Evidence Which Could Support This.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (17) - It Has Been Said That Man Is A Rat... - Quotes

A Sense Of Duty Is Useful In Work But Offensive In Personal Relations. People Wish To Be Liked, Not To Be Endured With Patient Resignation.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (19) - A Sense Of Duty Is Useful In Work ... - QuotesA Sense Of Duty Is Useful In Work But Offensive In Personal Relations. People Wish To Be Liked, Not To Be Endured With Patient Resignation.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (19) - A Sense Of Duty Is Useful In Work ... - Quotes

The Only Thing That Will Redeem Mankind Is Cooperation.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (18) - The Only Thing That Will Redeem Ma... - QuotesThe Only Thing That Will Redeem Mankind Is Cooperation.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (18) - The Only Thing That Will Redeem Ma... - Quotes

The Trouble With The World Is That The Stupid Are Cocksure And The Intelligent Are Full Of Doubt.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (2) - The Trouble With The World Is That ... - QuotesThe Trouble With The World Is That The Stupid Are Cocksure And The Intelligent Are Full Of Doubt.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (2) - The Trouble With The World Is That ... - Quotes

One Of The Symptoms Of An Approaching Nervous Breakdown Is The Belief That One's Work Is Terribly Important.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (20) - One Of The Symptoms Of An Approach... - QuotesOne Of The Symptoms Of An Approaching Nervous Breakdown Is The Belief That One's Work Is Terribly Important.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (20) - One Of The Symptoms Of An Approach... - Quotes

I've Made An Odd Discovery. Every Time I Talk To A Savant I Feel Quite Sure That Happiness Is No Longer A Possibility. Yet When I Talk With My Gardener, I'm Convinced Of The Opposite.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (21) - I've Made An Odd Discovery. Every ... - QuotesI've Made An Odd Discovery. Every Time I Talk To A Savant I Feel Quite Sure That Happiness Is No Longer A Possibility. Yet When I Talk With My Gardener, I'm Convinced Of The Opposite.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (21) - I've Made An Odd Discovery. Every ... - Quotes

None But A Coward Dares To Boast That He Has Never Known Fear.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (22) - None But A Coward Dares To Boast T... - QuotesNone But A Coward Dares To Boast That He Has Never Known Fear.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (22) - None But A Coward Dares To Boast T... - Quotes

Much That Passes As Idealism Is Disguised Hatred Or Disguised Love Of Power.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (23) - Much That Passes As Idealism Is Di... - QuotesMuch That Passes As Idealism Is Disguised Hatred Or Disguised Love Of Power.

Bertrand Russell Quotes (23) - Much That Passes As Idealism Is Di... - Quotes