Bertrand Russell Quotes & Sayings (Page 3)

“Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.”

“Advocates of capitalism are very apt to appeal to the sacred principles of liberty, which are embodied in one maxim: The fortunate must not be restrained in the exercise of tyranny over the unfortunate.”

“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.”

“We are faced with the paradoxical fact that education has become one of the chief obstacles to intelligence and freedom of thought.”

“No; we have been as usual asking the wrong question. It does not matter a hoot what the mockingbird on the chimney is singing. The real and proper question is: Why is it beautiful?”

“Italy, and the spring and first love all together should suffice to make the gloomiest person happy.”

“The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence whatever that it is not utterly absurd.”

“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.”

“Patriots always talk of dying for their country and never of killing for their country.”

“The secret to happiness is to face the fact that the world is horrible.”