SIMPLY PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTES

915 INSPIRING, THOUGHT PROVOKING QUOTES FROM 10

INFLUENTIAL PHILOSOPHERS TO OPEN YOUR THIRD EYE
ABSTRACT THOUGHTS
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 CONTENTS

1. Confucius
2. Immanuel Kant
3. René Descartes
4. Plato
5. Socrates
6. Aristotle
7. Friedrich Nietzche
8. John Locke
9. Siddārtha Gautama
10. Epictetus

Reference List
 CONFUCIUS

C onfucius was born circa 551 BC in Zou, modern Shandong, China.

His father, Kong He (or Shuliang He), was an elderly commandant
of the local Lu garrison. It has to be said that not a lot was actually
known about the life that Confucius lived, but what we do know is that he
was a Chinese philosopher as well as a politician of the Spring and Autumn
period in China. Confucius supposedly disagreed with the morals and the
ethics of the ruler of the time, as he was a distracted leader who was always
chasing women and money. Confucius first found employment with the
Jisun clan and assumed modest jobs such as livestock and granaries keeper.
Because the family had served for decades as counsellors to the rulers of
Lu, he was able to eventually work his way up to minister of crime in the
Lu government. When a major dispute between the government and other
high class families wanting to seize power ensued in 498 BC, Confucius
was forced to leave Lu.
Confucius would leave his region and wander around much of north-east
and central China for years. Over time he gained a following and people
liked what he stood for. He spread his knowledge, wisdom, and teachings to
his followers. Although he has no actual self written literature, his teachings
were documented by his followers, and the bodies of work would be known
as Analects.
After Confucius died, his followers and students created schools across all
of Asia and would then go on to spread his word for the following years.

Treating Parents with Reverence

Confucius believed that we should treat our parents with the utmost respect,
obey them when we are young, and care for them when they grow old.
Confucius also believed that we should always remain in closer proximity
to our parents to ensure we are able to give a helping hand in case of an
emergency. This outlook is known as filial piety, meaning to be good to
one’s parents, take care of one's parents; to engage in good conduct not just
towards parents but also outside the home so as to bring a good name to
one's parents and ancestors, display sorrow for their sickness and death and
to bury them and carry out sacrifices after their death.
Confucius believed that this was a very important thing to do as he believed
that our mortality and moral compass comes from our homes. He believed
that for individuals to express good traits in society they must first master
those traits at home, then those traits can be transferred with ease to society.

Obey Honourable People

Confucius, just like Aristotle, believed that the public figure we have in our
society plays a massive role in the way we function together. Confucius
believed that we should look up to people whose accomplishments
massively outweigh our own. In doing so we can start to become more like
these people. It’s too often we glorify the wrong values, so having very
accomplished individuals who are respected is an important part of a
functioning society.

The Cultivation of Knowledge is More Important Than Creativity

Confucius was adamant that universal wisdom and the gathering of

knowledge and understanding about how things work was one of the most
important things in this life. He believed that we should all strive to reach
these 5 constant virtues:
Benevolence, ritual propriety, righteousness, wisdom and integrity.
Although men are born good, we must work hard at these virtues to mature
ourselves and our nature.

5 Facts About Confucius

1. Confucius started his teaching career at the age of 24.
2. Confucius got married when he was 19 .
3. The 25th day of the eighth lunar month in the Chinese calendar is
Confucius’s birthday, and this is celebrated in varying ways across
East Asia.
4. Out of the 5000 students who were taught by him, only 72 students
would go on to become ‘wisemen’.
5. Confucianism is an ancient Chinese belief system which was
founded by Confucius and is still around today.
99 CONFUCIUS QUOTES

“LEARN AVIDLY. QUESTION IT RE PEATE DLY. AN AL Y SE IT

CAREFULLY. THEN PUT WHAT Y OU HAVE LEARN E D IN TO
PRACTICE INTELLIGENTLY . ”

“THE MAN WHO SAYS HE CAN , AN D THE M AN WHO SAY S

HE CANNOT…ARE BOTH CORRE CT.”

“THE NOBLER SORT OF MAN E M PHASISE S THE GOOD

QUALITIES IN OTHERS, AND DOE S N OT ACCE N TUATE
THE BAD. THE INFERIOR DOE S. ”

“REAL KNOWLEDGE IS TO KN OW THE E XTE N T OF ON E ’ S

IGNORANCE.”

“YOUR LIFE IS WHAT YOUR THOUGHTS M AKE IT. ”

“CHOOSE A JOB YOU LOVE, AN D Y OU WI LL N E VER H AV E

TO WORK A DAY IN YOUR LI FE . ”

“YOU ARE WHAT YOU THI N K. ”

“LOOKING AT SMALL ADVAN TAGE S PR E VEN TS GRE AT
AFFAIRS FROM BEING ACCOM PLISHED. ”

“ALL PEOPLE ARE THE SAM E ; ON LY THEIR HAB ITS

DIFFER.”

“WE HAVE TWO LIVES, AN D THE SE CON D B E GIN S W HE N

WE REALISE WE ONLY H AVE ON E . ”

“THE MAN WHO ASKS A QUE STION IS A FOOL FOR A

MINUTE, THE MAN WHO DOE S N OT ASK IS A FOOL FOR
LIFE.”

“THE JOURNEY WITH A 10 00 M ILES B E GIN S WI TH A

SINGLE STEP.”

“WORRY NOT THAT NO ONE KN OWS Y OU; SE E K TO B E

WORTH KNOWING.”

“THE MAN WHO MOVES A M OUN TAIN B E GIN S B Y

CARRYING AWAY SMALL STON E S. ”
“WHEN IT IS OBVIOUS TH AT THE GOALS CAN N OT B E
REACHED, DON’ T ADJUST THE GOALS , ADJUST THE
ACTION STEPS.”

“THE ESSENCE OF KNOWLE DGE IS, HAVI N G IT, TO USE

IT.”

“ONE JOY DISPELS A HUNDRE D CARE S. ”

“WHEN YOU SEE A GOOD PERSON , THI N K OF B E COM IN G

LIKE HER/HIM. WHEN YOU SE E SOM E ON E N OT SO GOOD,
REFLECT ON YOUR OWN WEAK POIN TS. ”

“I SLEPT AND DREAMT LIFE IS B E AUTY , I WOKE AN D

FOUND LIFE IS DUTY.”

“THEY MUST OFTEN CHAN GE WHO WOULD RE M AIN

CONSTANT IN HAPPINESS AN D WI SDOM . ”

“DON’ T COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SN OW ON Y OUR

NEIGHBOUR’ S ROOF WH E N Y OUR OWN DOORSTE P IS
UNCLEAN.”
“BEFORE YOU EMBARK ON A JOURN E Y OF RE VEN GE , DIG
TWO GRAVES.”

“A LION CHASED ME UP A TRE E , AN D I GRE ATLY E N JOY E D

THE VIEW FROM THE TOP.”

“IF YOU ARE THE SMARTE ST PERSON IN THE ROOM ,

THEN YOU ARE IN THE WR ON G ROOM . ”

“ACT WITH KINDNESS, BUT DO N OT E XPECT

GRATITUDE.”

“BE NOT ASHAMED OF MISTAKE S AN D THUS M AKE TH E M

CRIMES.”

“THE SUPERIOR MAN IS MODE ST IN HI S SPEE CH, B UT

EXCEEDS IN HIS ACTIONS. ”

“BE STRICT WITH YOURSE LF B UT LEAST RE PR OACHFUL

OF OTHERS AND COMPLAI N T IS KE PT AFAR. ”

“ROADS WERE MADE FOR JOURN E Y S, N OT

DESTINATIONS.”
“NO MATTER HOW BUSY Y OU M AY THI N K Y OU ARE , Y OU
MUST FIND TIME FOR RE ADIN G, OR SURRE N DE R
YOURSELF TO SELF-CHOSE N IGN ORAN CE. ”

“BY NATURE, MEN ARE NE ARLY ALI KE ; B Y PR ACTI C E ,

THEY GET TO BE WIDE APART. ”

“LEARN AS IF YOU WERE N OT RE ACHIN G Y OUR GOAL AN D

AS THOUGH YOU WERE SCARE D OF M ISSIN G IT. ”

“NEVER CONTRACT FRIE N DSHI P WI TH A M AN THAT IS

NOT BETTER THAN THYS E LF.”

“HE WHO KNOWS ALL THE AN SWERS HAS N OT B E E N

ASKED ALL THE QUESTION S. ”

“THOSE WHO CANNOT FORGIVE OTHERS B RE AK THE

BRIDGE OVER WHICH THE Y THEM SE LVE S M UST P ASS. ”

“THOSE WHO KNOW THE TRUTH ARE N OT E Q UAL TO

THOSE WHO LOVE IT.”
“THE SUPERIOR MAN THIN KS ALWAY S OF VI RTUE ; THE
COMMON MAN THINKS OF COM FORT. ”

“THINK OF TOMORROW, THE PAST CAN ’ T B E M E N DE D. ”

“RESPECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS WI LL RE SPECT Y OU. ”

“TO BE WRONGED IS NOTHI N G, UN LESS Y OU CON TIN UE

TO REMEMBER IT.”

“I HEAR AND I FORGET. I SE E AN D I RE M E M B E R. I DO

AND I UNDERSTAND.”

“THE SUPERIOR MAN AC TS B E FORE HE SPEAKS, AN D

AFTERWARDS SPEAKS ACCORDIN G TO HI S ACTI ON . ”

“SUCCESS DEPENDS UPON PR E VI OUS PR E PARATION , AN D

WITHOUT SUCH PREPAR ATION THERE IS SURE TO B E
FAILURE.”

“ONLY THE WISEST AND STUPI DE ST OF M E N N E VE R

CHANGE.”
“STUDY THE PAST IF YOU WOULD DE FIN E THE FUTURE . ”

“OUR GREATEST GLORY IS N OT IN N E VER FALLIN G, B UT

IN RISING EVERY TIME WE FALL. ”

“LEARNING WITHOUT THOUGHT IS LAB OUR LOST;

THOUGHT WITHOUT LEARN IN G IS PERILOUS. ”

“DO NOT IMPOSE ON OTHERS WHAT Y OU Y OURSE LF DO

NOT DESIRE.”

“THE SUPERIOR MAN MAKE S THE DIFFICULTY TO B E

OVERCOME HIS FIRST INTERE ST; SUCCE SS ON LY COM E S
LATER.”

“IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE AN D DO N OT CORRE CT IT, THIS

IS CALLED A MISTAKE.”

“EDUCATION BREEDS CONFIDE N CE. CON FIDE N C E

BREEDS HOPE. HOPE BRE E DS PEACE. ”

“A SUPERIOR MAN IS MODE ST IN HI S SPEE CH, B UT

EXCEEDS IN HIS ACTIONS. ”
“TO SEE THE RIGHT AND N OT TO DO IT IS COWARDICE . ”

“VIRTUOUS PEOPLE OFTE N RE VEN GE THEM SE LVE S FOR

THE CONSTRAINTS TO WHI CH THEY SUB M IT B Y THE
BOREDOM WHICH THEY IN SPI RE . ”

“HE WHO ACTS WITH A C ON STAN T VI E W TO HI S OW N

ADVANTAGE WILL BE MUCH M URM URE D AGAIN ST. ”

“THE SUPERIOR MAN IS DISTRE SSE D B Y THE

LIMITATIONS OF HIS ABI LI TY ; HE IS N OT DISTRE SSE D B Y
THE FACT THAT MEN DO N OT RE COGN ISE THE AB ILITY
THAT HE HAS.”

“TO SEE WHAT IS RIGHT AN D N OT TO DO IT IS W AN T OF

COURAGE, OR OF PRINCIPLE . ”

“WHEN ANGER RISES, THIN K OF THE CON SE Q UE N C E S. ”

“IN A COUNTRY WELL-GOVERN E D, POVERTY IS

SOMETHING TO BE ASHAME D OF. IN A COUN TRY B ADL Y
GOVERNED, WEALTH IS SOM E THI N G TO B E ASHAM E D
OF.”
“TO KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW AN D WHAT Y OU DO N OT
KNOW, THAT IS TRUE KNOWLE DGE . ”

“I WANT YOU TO BE EVERY THI N G THAT’ S Y OU, DE E P AT

THE CENTRE OF YOUR BEIN G. ”

“THE OBJECT OF THE SUPERIOR M AN IS TRUTH.”

“WHEN YOU HAVE FAULTS , DO N OT FE AR TO AB AN DON

THEM.”

“TO GO BEYOND IS AS WRON G AS TO FALL SHORT. ”

“IF YOU THINK IN TERMS OF A Y E AR, PLAN T A SE E D; IF IN

TERMS OF TEN YEARS, PLAN T TRE E S; IF IN TE RM S OF 100
YEARS, TEACH THE PEOPLE. ”

“IF YOU LOOK INTO YOUR OWN HEART, AN D Y OU FIN D

NOTHING WRONG THERE, WHAT IS THERE TO W ORRY
ABOUT? WHAT IS THERE TO FE AR? ”

“IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW SLOWLY Y OU GO AS LON G AS

YOU DO NOT STOP.”
“VIRTUE IS NOT LEFT TO STAN D ALON E . HE WHO
PRACTICES IT WILL HAVE N E IGHBOURS. ”

“BETTER A DIAMOND WITH A FLAW THAN A PEB B LE

WITHOUT.”

“THE SUPERIOR MAN DOES N OT, E VEN FOR THE SP AC E

OF A SINGLE MEAL, ACT CON TRARY TO VI RTUE . IN
MOMENTS OF HASTE, HE CLE AVES TO IT. IN SE ASON S OF
DANGER, HE CLEAVES TO IT. ”

“THE WILL TO WIN, THE DE SIRE TO SUCCE E D, THE URGE

TO REACH YOUR FULL POTEN TIAL… THESE ARE TH E KE Y S
THAT WILL UNLOCK THE DOOR TO PERSON AL
EXCELLENCE.”

“GO BEFORE THE PEOPLE WI TH Y OUR E XAM PLE , AN D B E

LABORIOUS IN THEIR AFFAIRS. ”

“WHEN WE SEE PERSONS OF WORTH, WE SHOULD TH IN K

OF EQUALLING THEM; WHE N WE SE E PERSON S OF A
CONTRARY CHARACTER, WE SHOULD TURN IN WARDS
AND EXAMINE OURSELVE S. ”
“IF WE DON’ T KNOW LIFE , HOW CAN WE KN OW DE ATH? ”

“THE EXPECTATIONS OF LI FE DE PEN D UPON DILIGE N C E ;

THE MECHANIC THAT WOULD PERFE CT HI S WORK M UST
FIRST SHARPEN HIS TOOLS . ”

“HE WHO SPEAKS WITHOUT M ODE STY WI LL FIN D IT

DIFFICULT TO MAKE HIS WORDS GOOD. ”

“WHAT YOU DO NOT WANT DON E TO Y OURSE LF, DO N OT

DO TO OTHERS.”

“WITHOUT FEELINGS OF RE SPECT, WHAT IS THERE TO

DISTINGUISH MEN FROM B E ASTS? ”
“YOU CANNOT OPEN A BOOK WI THOUT LEARN IN G
SOMETHING.”

“A GENTLEMAN WOULD BE ASHAM E D SHOULD HI S

DEEDS NOT MATCH HIS WORDS. ”

“WHEN A PERSON SHOULD B E SPOKE N WI TH, AN D Y OU

DON’ T SPEAK WITH THE M , Y OU LOSE THEM . WHE N A
PERSON SHOULDN’ T BE S POKE N WI TH AN D Y OU SP E AK
TO THEM, YOU WASTE YOUR B RE ATH. THE WI SE DO N OT
LOSE PEOPLE, NOR DO THEY WASTE THEIR B RE ATH. ”

“TO SEE AND LISTEN TO THE WI CKE D IS ALR E ADY TH E

BEGINNING OF WICKEDN E SS. ”

“WHEREVER YOU GO, GO WI TH ALL Y OUR HEART. ”

“GIVE A BOWL OF RICE TO A M AN AN D Y OU WI LL FE E D

HIM FOR A DAY. TEACH HIM HOW TO GROW HI S OWN
RICE AND YOU WILL SAVE HI S LI FE . ”

“IT IS MORE SHAMEFUL TO DISTRUST OUR FRIE N DS

THAN TO BE DECEIVED BY THEM . ”
“LIFE IS REALLY SIMPLE, B UT WE IN SIST ON M AKIN G IT
COMPLICATED.”

“SILENCE IS A TRUE FRIEN D WHO N E VER B E TRAY S. ”

“BY THREE METHODS WE M AY LEARN WI SDOM : FIRST, B Y

REFLECTION, WHICH IS N OB LEST; SE CON D, B Y
IMITATION, WHICH IS EASIE ST; AN D THI RD B Y
EXPERIENCE, WHICH IS THE B ITTE RE ST. ”

“WISDOM, COMPASSION, AN D COURAGE ARE THE THRE E

UNIVERSALLY RECOGNISED M ORAL Q UALI TIE S OF M E N . ”

“DEATH AND LIFE HAVE THEIR DE TE RM IN E D

APPOINTMENTS; RICHES AN D HON OURS DE PEN D UPON
HEAVEN.”

“EVERYTHING HAS BEAUTY , B UT N OT E VERY ON E SE E S

IT.”

“THE MORE MAN MEDITATES UPON GOOD THOUGH TS,

THE BETTER WILL BE HI S WORLD AN D THE WORLD AT
LARGE.”
“HE WHO LEARNS BUT DOE S N OT THI N K, IS LOST! HE
WHO THINKS BUT DOES N OT LEARN IS IN GRE AT
DANGER.”

“IT IS EASY TO HATE AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO LOVE . TH IS

IS HOW THE WHOLE SCH E M E OF THI N GS WORKS. ALL
GOOD THINGS ARE DIFFICULT TO ACHIE VE; AN D B AD
THINGS ARE VERY EASY TO GE T. ”

“THE STRENGTH OF A NATI ON DE RIVES FROM THE

INTEGRITY OF THE HOME . ”

“THE SUPERIOR MAN UNDE RSTAN DS WHAT IS RIGHT;

THE INFERIOR MAN UNDE RSTAN DS WHAT WI LL SE L L . ”

“NEVER GIVE A SWORD TO A M AN WHO CAN ’ T DAN CE . ”

“WE SHOULD FEEL SORROW, B UT N OT SIN K UN DE R ITS

OPPRESSION.”

“IMAGINATION IS MORE IM PORTAN T THAN

KNOWLEDGE.”
“WHEN YOU KNOW A THIN G, TO HOLD THAT Y OU KN OW
IT; AND WHEN YOU DO NOT KN OW A THI N G, TO AL L OW
THAT YOU DO NOT KNOW IT – THI S IS KN OWLE DGE . ”
 IMMANUEL KANT

I mmanuel Kant was a German philosopher and a central

enlightenment thinker; he was born in April, 1724. He amassed
a very impressive and respectable portfolio with many
systematic works on epistemology, metaphysics, ethics and aesthetics. Kant
grew up modestly with his father being a shoemaker. He found employment
as a family tutor and was employed by three different families over nine
years. It was only in his 50s that Kant became a very successful and popular
professor. Kant was brought up in a very strict and religious household, but
dropped his childhood religious beliefs as he got older. He did however,
appreciate the fact that religion did a great job in providing a coping
mechanism for his parents during times of struggle, and thus he viewed
religion this way, as a coping mechanism for people. Kant would go on to
live into his old age, dying in 1804.

The Categorical Imperative

The categorical imperative was first mentioned in his writing in the

groundwork of the metaphysics of moral. In a sense, the categorical
imperative is a premise which Kant believed should be at the centre of one's
logic when faced with a difficult choice.
The categorical imperative states that one must ‘act only according to that
maxim by which you can at the same time will if that should become a
universal law’. What Kant meant by this is that when we are faced with a
difficult choice like sleeping with our neighbour’s wife, we must first ask
ourselves if we would want to live in a world where this was always
happening and was the acceptable thing to do.

Value in Existence
We should always treat people always as ends and never as a means. If a
person is an end, it means their inherent value doesn't depend on anything
else - it doesn't depend on whether the person is enjoying their life, or
making other people's lives better. We exist, so we have value. The idea is
often brought up in discussions of animal rights, with the idea that if they
have rights, animals must be treated as ends in themselves.

The Meaning of Freedom

Kant believed that the central duty of a government should be to bring

liberty to the nation by encouraging people to take action that takes them
closer to their free selves. We are free when our actions align with our best
feelings of love, compassion and kindness. On the other hand, we only
become slaves when we give into our primitive, animalistic feelings of
aggression, hate and envy. Kant taught that we must always work on
ourselves to become more rational and sovereign.

5 Facts About Immanuel Kant

1. Kant received a doctorate in philosophy in 1755.

2. Kant was born in the province of Koenigsberg, and would never
move out through his whole life.
3. His parents were devout Lutherans.
4. One of Kant's very close friends helped finance his education.
5. The Republic, arguably Kant's most famous work, was published
when he was 57 years old.
72 IMMANUEL KANT QUOTE S

“LOOK CLOSELY. THE BEAUTIFUL M AY B E SM ALL. ”

“HE WHO IS CRUEL TO AN IM ALS B E COM E S HARD AL SO IN

HIS DEALINGS WITH ME N . WE CAN JUDGE THE H E ART OF
A MAN BY HIS TREATMENT OF AN IM ALS . ”

“I HAD TO DENY KNOWLE DGE IN ORDE R TO M AKE ROOM

FOR FAITH.”

“ALL OUR KNOWLEDGE B E GIN S WI TH THE SE N SE S,

PROCEEDS THEN TO THE UN DE RSTAN DIN G, AN D E N DS
WITH REASON. THERE IS N OTHI N G HI GHER THAN
REASON.”

“WHEREAS THE BEAUTIF UL IS LI M ITE D, THE SUB L IM E IS

LIMITLESS, SO THAT THE M IN D IN THE PR E SE N CE OF
THE SUBLIME, ATTEMPTIN G TO IM AGIN E WHAT IT
CANNOT, HAS PAIN IN THE FAILURE B UT PLE ASURE IN
CONTEMPLATING THE IM M E N SITY OF THE ATTE M PT. ”
“FOR PEACE TO REIGN ON E ARTH, HUM AN S M UST
EVOLVE INTO NEW BEIN GS WHO HAVE LEARN E D TO SE E
THE WHOLE FIRST.”

“RULES FOR HAPPINESS: SOM E THI N G TO DO, SOM E ON E

TO LOVE, SOMETHING TO HOPE FOR. ”

“THE BUSIER WE ARE, THE M ORE ACUTE LY WE FE E L

THAT WE LIVE, THE MOR E CON SCI OUS WE ARE OF LIFE . ”

“GENIUS IS THE ABILITY TO IN DE PEN DE N TLY ARRIV E AT

AND UNDERSTAND CONCEPTS THAT WOULD N ORM AL L Y
HAVE TO BE TAUGHT BY AN OTHER PERSON . ”

“THAT THE STEP TO COM PETE N CE IS HELD TO B E V E RY

DANGEROUS BY THE FAR GRE ATE R PORTION OF
MANKIND...”

“THE DEATH OF DOGMA IS THE B IRTH OF M ORALITY . ”

“SPACE AND TIME ARE THE FRAM E WORK WI THI N W HICH

THE MIND IS CONSTRAIN E D TO CON STRUCT ITS
EXPERIENCE OF REALITY. ”
“THOUGHTS WITHOUT C ON TE N T ARE E M PTY,
INTUITIONS WITHOUT C ON CEPTS ARE B LI N D. ”

“BUT TO UNITE IN A PER M AN E N T RE LI GIOUS

INSTITUTION WHICH IS N OT TO B E SUB JE CT TO DOUB T
BEFORE THE PUBLIC EVEN IN THE LI FE TIM E OF ON E
MAN, AND THEREBY TO MAKE A PERIOD OF TIM E
FRUITLESS IN THE PROGRE SS OF M AN KIN D TOWARD
IMPROVEMENT, THUS WORKIN G TO THE DISADVAN TAGE
OF POSTERITY - THAT IS AB SOLUTE LY FORB IDDE N . FOR
HIMSELF (AND ONLY FOR A SHORT TIM E ) A M AN M AY
POSTPONE ENLIGHTENM E N T IN WHAT HE OUGH T TO
KNOW, BUT TO RENOUNCE IT FOR POSTE RITY IS TO
INJURE AND TRAMPLE ON THE RIGHTS OF M AN KIN D. ”

“THE READING OF ALL GOOD B OOKS IS LI KE A

CONVERSATION WITH THE FIN E ST M IN DS OF PAST
CENTURIES.”

“ACT ONLY ACCORDING TO THAT M AXIM WHE RE B Y Y OU

CAN AT THE SAME TIME WILL THAT IT SHOULD B E COM E
A UNIVERSAL LAW.”
“AN AGE CANNOT BIND ITSE LF AN D ORDAIN TO P UT TH E
SUCCEEDING ONE INTO SUCH A CON DITION THAT IT
CANNOT EXTEND ITS (AT B E ST VERY OCCASION AL)
KNOWLEDGE , PURIFY ITS E LF OF E RRORS, AN D
PROGRESS IN GENERAL EN LI GHTEN M E N T. THAT W OUL D
BE A CRIME AGAINST HUM AN N ATURE , THE PR OPE R
DESTINATION OF WHICH LI E S PR E CI SE LY IN THI S
PROGRESS AND THE DES CEN DAN TS WOULD B E FUL L Y
JUSTIFIED IN REJECTING THOSE DE CR E E S AS HAVIN G
BEEN MADE IN AN UNWARRAN TE D AN D M ALI CI OUS
MANNER.”

“THE TOUCHSTONE OF EVERY THI N G THAT CAN B E

CONCLUDED AS A LAW FOR A PEOPLE LI E S IN TH E
QUESTION WHETHER THE PEOPLE COULD HAVE
IMPOSED SUCH A LAW ON ITSE LF.”

“THE LIGHT DOVE, IN FRE E FLI GHT CUTTIN G TH ROUGH

THE AIR THE RESISTANCE OF WHICH IT FE E LS , C OUL D
GET THE IDEA THAT IT COULD DO E VEN B E TTE R IN
AIRLESS SPACE. LIKEWISE , PLATO AB AN DON E D TH E
WORLD OF THE SENSES B E CAUSE IT POSE D SO M AN Y
HINDRANCES FOR THE UN DE RSTAN DIN G, AN D DARE D TO
GO BEYOND IT ON THE WIN GS OF THE IDE AS, IN TH E
EMPTY SPACE OF PURE UN DE RSTAN DIN G. ”
“MAN MUST BE DISCIPLINE D, FOR HE IS B Y N ATURE RAW
AND WILD..”

“SKEPTICISM IS THUS A RE STIN G-PLACE FOR HUM AN

REASON, WHERE IT CAN RE FLECT UPON ITS DOGM ATIC
WANDERINGS AND MAKE SURVEY OF THE RE GION IN
WHICH IT FINDS ITSELF, SO THAT FOR THE FUTURE IT
MAY BE ABLE TO CHOOSE ITS PATH WI TH M ORE
CERTAINTY. BUT IT IS NO DWELLIN G-PLACE FOR
PERMANENT SETTLEMENT. SUCH CAN B E OB TAIN E D
ONLY THROUGH PERFECT CERTAIN TY IN OUR
KNOWLEDGE, ALIKE OF THE OB JE CTS THEM SE LVE S AN D
OF THE LIMITS WITHIN WHICH ALL OUR KN OWLE DGE OF
OBJECTS IS ENCLOSED.”

“AS NATURE HAS UNCOVE RE D FROM UN DE R THI S H ARD

SHELL THE SEED FOR WH ICH SHE M OST TE N DE RL Y
CARES - THE PROPENSITY AN D VOCATION TO FRE E
THINKING - THIS GRADUALLY WORKS B ACK UPON TH E
CHARACTER OF THE PEOPLE , WHO THERE B Y GRADUAL L Y
BECOME CAPABLE OF MAN AGIN G FRE E DOM ; FIN AL L Y , IT
AFFECTS THE PRINCIPLES OF GOVERN M E N T, WHIC H
FINDS IT TO ITS ADVANTAGE TO TRE AT M E N , WHO ARE
NOW MORE THAN MACH IN E S, IN ACCORDAN CE WITH
THEIR DIGNITY.”
“IN ALL JUDGEMENTS BY WHICH WE DE SCR IB E
ANYTHING AS BEAUTIFUL, WE ALLOW N O ON E TO B E OF
ANOTHER OPINION.”

“ENLIGHTENMENT IS MAN ' S E M E RGE N CE FROM HIS

SELF-INCURRED IMMATUR ITY . ”

“MARRIAGE...IS THE UNION OF TWO PEOPLE OF

DIFFERENT SEXES WITH A VI E W TO THE M UTUAL
POSSESSION OF EACH OTHE R' S SE XUAL ATTRIB UTE S FOR
THE DURATION OF THEIR LI VES. ”

“BUT ALTHOUGH ALL OUR KN OWLE DGE B E GIN S W ITH

EXPERIENCE, IT DOES N OT FOLLOW THAT IT ARISE S
FROM EXPERIENCE.”

“MORALITY IS NOT PROPE RLY THE DOCTR IN E OF H OW

WE MAY MAKE OURSELVES HAPPY , B UT HOW WE M AY
MAKE OURSELVES WORTHY OF HAPPIN E SS. ”

“AN ACTION, TO HAVE MORAL WORTH, M UST B E DON E

FROM DUTY.”

“IF THE TRUTH SHALL KILL THEM , LET THEM DIE . ”

“ONLY THE DESCENT INTO THE HELL OF SE LF-
KNOWLEDGE CAN PAVE THE WAY TO GODLI N E SS. ”

“WITHOUT MAN AND HIS POTE N TIAL FOR M ORAL

PROGRESS, THE WHOLE OF RE ALI TY WOULD B E A M E RE
WILDERNESS, A THING IN VAIN , AN D HAVE N O FIN AL
PURPOSE.”

“THE PEOPLE NATURALLY ADHERE M OST TO DOCTRIN E S

WHICH DEMAND THE LEAST SE LF- E XE RTION AN D TH E
LEAST USE OF THEIR OWN RE ASON , AN D WHICH CAN
BEST ACCOMMODATE TH E IR DUTIE S TO THEIR
INCLINATIONS.”
“A GOOD WILL IS GOOD NOT B E CAUSE OF WHAT IT
EFFECTS, OR ACCOMPLISHES, N OT B E CAUSE OF ITS
FITNESS TO ATTAIN SOME IN TE N DE D E N D, B UT GOOD
JUST BY ITS WILLING, I.E . IN ITSE LF; AN D, CON SIDE RE D
BY ITSELF, IT IS TO BE E STE E M E D B E Y ON D COM P ARE
MUCH HIGHER THAN ANY THI N G THAT COULD E VE R B E
BROUGHT ABOUT BY IT IN FAVOUR OF SOM E
INCLINATIONS, AND INDEE D, IF Y OU WI LL, THE SUM OF
ALL INCLINATIONS. EVEN IF B Y SOM E PARTICUL AR
DISFAVOUR OF FATE, OR B Y THE SCAN TY E N DOWM E N T
OF A STEP-MOTHERLY NATURE , THI S WI LL SHOULD
ENTIRELY LACK THE CAPACI TY TO CARRY THR OUGH ITS
PURPOSE; IF DESPITE ITS GRE ATE ST STRIVI N G IT
SHOULD STILL ACCOMPLISH N OTHI N G, AN D ON L Y THE
GOOD WILL WERE TO RE M AIN (N OT OF COURSE , AS A
MERE WISH, BUT AS THE SUM M ON IN G OF ALL M E AN S
THAT ARE WITHIN OUR CON TROL); THEN , LI KE A JE W E L,
IT WOULD STILL SHINE B Y ITSE LF, AS SOM E THI N G THAT
HAS FULL WORTH IN ITSE LF.”

“IT WAS THE DUTY OF PH ILOSOPHY TO DE STROY THE

ILLUSIONS WHICH HAD THEIR ORIGIN IN
MISCONCEPTIONS, WHATE VER DARLI N G HOPES AN D
VALUED EXPECTATIONS M AY B E RUIN E D B Y ITS
EXPLANATIONS.”
“ALL FALSE ART, ALL VAIN WI SDOM , LASTS ITS TIM E B UT
FINALLY DESTROYS ITSELF, AN D ITS HI GHEST CULTURE
IS ALSO THE EPOCH OF I TS DE CAY . ”

“STANDING ARMIES CON STAN TLY THR E ATE N OTHE R

NATIONS WITH WAR BY GIVI N G THE APPE ARAN C E TH AT
THEY ARE PREPARED FOR IT, WHICH GOADS N ATION S
INTO COMPETING WITH ON E AN OTHER IN THE N UM B E R
OF MEN UNDER ARMS, AN D THI S PR ACTI CE KN OWS N O
BOUNDS. AND SINCE THE COSTS RE LATE D TO
MAINTAINING PEACE WILL IN THI S WAY FIN ALLY
BECOME GREATER THAN THOSE OF A SHORT WAR,
STANDING ARMIES ARE THE CAUSE OF WARS OF
AGGRESSION THAT ARE IN TE N DE D TO E N D
BURDENSOME EXPENDITURE S. M ORE OVER, PAY IN G M E N
TO KILL OR BE KILLED APPE ARS TO USE THEM AS M E RE
MACHINES AND TOOLS IN THE HAN DS OF AN OTHE R (THE
NATION), WHICH IS INCON SISTE N T WI TH THE RIGH TS
OF HUMANITY.”

“NATURE IS BEAUTIFUL B E CAUSE IT LOOKS LI KE ART;

AND ART CAN ONLY BE C ALLE D B E AUTIFUL IF WE ARE
CONSCIOUS OF IT AS ART WHILE Y E T IT LOOKS L IKE
NATURE.”
“IN THE KINGDOM OF EN DS E VERY THI N G HAS E ITHE R A
PRICE OR A DIGNITY. WHAT HAS A PR ICE CAN B E
REPLACED BY SOMETHING E LS E AS ITS E Q UIVAL E N T;
WHAT ON THE OTHER HAN D IS RAISE D AB OVE ALL PRICE
AND THEREFORE ADMITS OF N O E Q UIVALEN T HAS A
DIGNITY.”

“THE SCHEMATICS BY WHICH OUR UN DE RSTAN DIN G

DEALS WITH THE PHENOM E N AL WORLD . . . IS A SKIL L SO
DEEPLY HIDDEN IN THE HUM AN SOUL THAT WE SHALL
HARDLY GUESS THE SECRE T TRICK THAT N ATURE HE RE
EMPLOYS.”

“BEAUTY PRESENTS AN I N DE TE RM IN ATE CON CEPT OF

UNDERSTANDING, THE S UB LI M E AN IN DE TE RM IN ATE
CONCEPT OF REASON.”

“EXPERIENCE WITHOUT THEORY IS B LI N D, B UT TH E ORY

WITHOUT EXPERIENCE IS M E RE IN TE LLE CTUAL P L AY . ”

“DIGNITY IS A VALUE THAT CR E ATE S

IRREPLACEABILITY.”
“IT IS THE LAND OF TRUTH (E N CHAN TE D N AM E ! ),
SURROUNDED BY A WIDE AN D STORM Y OCEAN , THE
TRUE HOME OF ILLUSION, WHE RE M AN Y A FOG B AN K
AND ICE, THAT SOON ME LTS AWAY , TE M PT US TO
BELIEVE IN NEW LANDS, WHILE CON STAN TLY
DECEIVING THE ADVENTUROUS M ARIN E R WI TH VAIN
HOPES, AND INVOLVING HI M IN ADVEN TURE S WHICH
HE CAN NEVER LEAVE, YE T N E VER B RIN G TO AN E N D. ”

“SIMPLY TO ACQUIESCE IN SKE PTI CI SM CAN N E V E R

SUFFICE TO OVERCOME THE RE STLESSN E SS OF RE ASON . ”

“IN EVERY DEPARTMENT OF PHY SICAL SCI E N CE TH E RE

IS ONLY SO MUCH SCIENCE, PR OPERLY SO-CALLE D, AS
THERE IS MATHEMATICS.”

“BY A LIE A MAN THROWS AWAY , AN D AS IT WERE ,

ANNIHILATES HIS DIGNITY AS A M AN . ”
“OUR AGE IS THE AGE OF CR ITICI SM , TO WHICH
EVERYTHING MUST BE SUB JE CTED. THE SACR E DN E SS OF
RELIGION, AND THE AUTHORITY OF LEGISLATION , ARE
BY MANY REGARDED AS GROUN DS OF E XE M PTI ON FROM
THE EXAMINATION OF THIS TRIB UN AL. B UT, IF TH E Y ARE
EXEMPTED, THEY BECOME THE SUB JE CTS OF JUST
SUSPICION, AND CANNOT LAY CLAIM TO SIN CERE
RESPECT, WHICH REASON ACCORDS ON LY TO TH AT
WHICH HAS STOOD THE TE ST OF A FRE E AN D PUB LIC
EXAMINATION.”

“BETTER THE WHOLE PEOPLE PERISH THAN THAT

INJUSTICE BE DONE.”

“WHAT MIGHT BE SAID OF THI N GS IN THEM SE LVE S,

SEPARATED FROM ALL RELATION SHI PS TO OUR SE N SE S,
REMAINS FOR US ABSOLUTE LY UN KN OWN. ”
“ENLIGHTENMENT IS MAN ' S E M E RGE N CE FROM HIS
SELF-IMPOSED NONAGE. N ON AGE IS THE IN AB IL ITY TO
USE ONE' S OWN UNDERSTAN DIN G WI THOUT AN OTHE R' S
GUIDANCE. THIS NONAGE IS SE LF- IM POSE D IF ITS
CAUSE LIES NOT IN LACK OF UN DE RSTAN DIN G B UT IN
INDECISION AND LACK OF COURAGE TO USE ON E ' S OWN
MIND WITHOUT ANOTHER' S GUIDAN CE. DARE TO KN OW!
(SAPERE AUDE) "HAVE THE COURAGE TO USE Y OUR OWN
UNDERSTANDING," IS TH E RE FORE THE M OTTO OF THE
ENLIGHTENMENT.”

“MATHEMATICS, NATURAL SCI E N CE, LAWS , ARTS, E VE N

MORALITY, DO NOT COMPLETELY FILL THE SOUL; THERE
IS ALWAYS A SPACE LEFT OVER RE SE RVED FOR PURE AN D
SPECULATIVE REASON, THE E M PTI N E SS OF WHIC H
PROMPTS US TO SEEK IN VAGARIE S, B UFFOON E RIE S,
AND MYSTICISM FOR WHAT SE E M S TO B E E M PLOY M E N T
AND ENTERTAINMENT, B UT WHAT ACTUALLY IS M E RE
PASTIME UNDERTAKEN IN ORDE R TO DE ADE N TH E
TROUBLESOME VOICE OF RE ASON , WHICH, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH ITS N ATURE , RE Q UIRE S SOM E THIN G
THAT CAN SATISFY IT AND DOE S N OT M E RE LY SUB SE RV E
OTHER ENDS OR THE INTE RE STS OF OUR
INCLINATIONS.”
“AS A MATTER OF FACT, NO OTHER LAN GUAGE IN THE
WORLD HAS RECEIVED SUCH PR AISE AS THE
LITHUANIAN LANGUAGE. THE GARLAN DS OF HI GH
HONOUR HAVE BEEN TAKE N TO LI THUAN IAN PEOP L E
FOR INVENTING, ELABORATIN G, AN D IN TRODUC IN G THE
MOST HIGHLY DEVELOPED HUM AN SPEE CH WI TH ITS
BEAUTIFUL AND CLEAR P HON OLOGY . M ORE OVER,
ACCORDING TO COMPARATIVE PHILOLOGY , THE
LITHUANIAN LANGUAGE IS B E ST Q UALI FIE D TO
REPRESENT THE PRIMITIVE ARY AN CI VI LI SATION AN D
CULTURE.”

“A CATEGORICAL IMPERATIVE WOULD B E ON E WHICH

REPRESENTED AN ACTION AS OB JE CTI VELY N E CESSARY
IN ITSELF, WITHOUT REFERE N CE TO AN Y OTHER
PURPOSE.”

“HUMAN REASON, IN ONE SPHE RE OF ITS COGN ITION , IS

CALLED UPON TO CONSIDE R Q UE STION S, WHICH IT
CANNOT DECLINE, AS THE Y ARE PR E SE N TE D B Y ITS OWN
NATURE, BUT WHICH IT CAN N OT AN SWER, AS TH E Y
TRANSCEND EVERY FACULTY OF THE M IN D. ”
“BUT, ABOVE ALL, IT WILL CON FE R AN IN E STIM AB L E
BENEFIT ON MORALITY AN D RE LI GION , B Y SHOWIN G
THAT ALL THE OBJECTION S URGE D AGAIN ST THEM M AY
BE SILENCED FOREVER BY THE SOCRATIC METHOD,
THAT IS TO SAY, BY PROVIN G THE IGN ORAN CE OF THE
OBJECTOR.”

“ALL HUMAN COGNITION B E GIN S WI TH IN TUITION S,

PROCEEDS FROM THENCE TO CON CEPTI ON S, AN D E N DS
WITH IDEAS.”

“THE WHOLE INTEREST OF M Y RE ASON , WHE THER

SPECULATIVE OR PRACTI CAL, IS CON CEN TRATE D IN TH E
THREE FOLLOWING QUESTION S: WHAT CAN I KN OW?
WHAT SHOULD I DO? WH AT M AY I HOPE? ”

“SETTLE, FOR SURE AND UN IVERSALLY , WHAT CON DUCT

WILL PROMOTE THE HAPPI N E SS OF A RATION AL B E IN G. ”

“WHEN THE TREMULOUS RADIAN CE OF A SUM M E R

NIGHT FILLS WITH TWIN KLI N G STARS AN D THE M OON
ITSELF IS FULL, I AM SLOWLY DRAWN IN TO A STATE OF
ENHANCED SENSITIVITY , M ADE OF FRIE N DSHI P AN D
DISDAIN FOR THE WORLD AN D E TE RN ITY . ”
“HIGH TOWERS, AND ME TAPHY SICALLY -GRE AT M E N
RESEMBLING THEM, ROUN D B OTH OF WHICH TH E RE IS
COMMONLY MUCH WIND, ARE N OT FOR M E . M Y P L AC E IS
THE FRUITFUL BATHOS, THE B OTTOM -LAN D, OF
EXPERIENCE; AND THE WORD TRAN SCEN DE N TAL, DOE S
NOT SIGNIFY SOMETHING PASSIN G B E Y ON D ALL
EXPERIENCE, BUT SOMETHI N G THAT IN DE E D PR E CE DE S
IT A PRIORI, BUT THAT I S IN TE N DE D SIM PLY TO M AKE
COGNITION OF EXPERIEN CE POSSIB LE. ”

“MAN, AND IN GENERAL E VERY RATION AL B E IN G, E XISTS

AS AN END IN HIMSELF, N OT M E RE LY AS A M E AN S FOR
ARBITRARY USE BY THIS OR THAT WI LL: HE M UST IN AL L
HIS ACTIONS, WHETHER THEY ARE DIRE CTED TO
HIMSELF OR TO OTHER R ATION AL B E IN GS, ALWAY S B E
VIEWED AT THE SAME TIM E AS AN E N D. ”

“ANARCHY IS LAW AND F RE E DOM WI THOUT FORCE . ”

“DESPOTISM IS LAW AND FORCE WI THOUT FRE E DOM . ”

“BARBARISM IS FORCE WITHOUT FRE E DOM AN D L AW. ”

“IT IS OF GREAT CONSEQUE N CE TO HAVE PR E VI OUSL Y
DETERMINED THE CONCEPT THAT ON E WAN TS TO
ELUCIDATE THROUGH OB SE RVATION B E FORE
QUESTIONING EXPERIENCE AB OUT IT; FOR ON E FIN DS
IN EXPERIENCE WHAT ON E N E E DS ON LY IF ON E KN OWS
IN ADVANCE WHAT TO LOOK FOR. ”

“REPUBLICANISM IS FORCE WI TH FRE E DOM AN D L AW. ”

“IF ADVERSITY AND HOP E LESS GRIE F HAVE Q UITE

TAKEN AWAY THE TASTE FOR LI FE ; IF AN UN FORTUN ATE
MAN, STRONG OF SOUL AND M ORE IN DIGN AN T AB OUT
HIS FATE THAN DESPONDE N T OR DE JE CTED, WI SH E S
FOR DEATH AND YET PRES E RVES HI S LI FE WI TH OUT
LOVING IT, NOT FROM IN CLIN ATION OR FE AR B UT FROM
DUTY, THEN HIS MAXIM HAS M ORAL CON TE N T. ”
“DEFICIENCY IN JUDGEME N T IS PR OPERLY THAT WHICH
IS CALLED STUPIDITY; AN D FOR SUCH A FAILI N G W E
KNOW NO REMEDY. A DULL OR N ARROW- M IN DE D
PERSON, TO WHOM NOTHIN G IS WAN TIN G B UT A
PROPER DEGREE OF UNDE RSTAN DIN G, M AY B E
IMPROVED BY TUITION, E VEN SO FAR AS TO DE SE RVE
THE EPITHET OF LEARNIN G. B UT AS SUCH PERSON S
FREQUENTLY LABOUR UNDE R A DE FICI E N CY IN TH E
FACULTY OF JUDGEMENT, IT IS N OT UN COM M ON TO
FIND MEN EXTREMELY LE ARN E D WHO IN THE
APPLICATION OF THEIR SCI E N CE B E TRAY A LAM E N TAB LE
DEGREE THIS IRREMEDIAB LE WAN T. ”

“FROM SUCH CROOKED WOOD AS THAT WHICH M AN IS

MADE OF, NOTHING STRAIGHT CAN B E FASHI ON E D. ”

“WAR SEEMS TO BE INGRAIN E D IN HUM AN N ATURE , AN D

EVEN TO BE REGARDED AS SOM E THI N G N OB LE TO
WHICH MAN IS INSPIRED B Y HI S LOVE OF HON OUR,
WITHOUT SELFISH MOTIVE S. ”

“...WHEN HE PUTS A THIN G ON A PEDE STAL AN D C ALL S

IT BEAUTIFUL, HE DEMANDS THE SAM E DE LI GHT FROM
OTHERS. HE JUDGES NOT M E RE LY FOR HI M SE LF, B UT
FOR ALL MEN, AND THEN SPEAKS OF B E AUTY AS IF IT
WERE THE PROPERTY OF THI N GS. ”
“NOTHING CAN POSSIBLY B E CON CEIVED IN THE
WORLD, OR EVEN OUT OF IT, WHICH CAN B E CAL L E D
GOOD, WITHOUT QUALIFICATION , E XCEPT A GOOD
WILL.”

“LAUGHTER IS AN AFFECT RE SULTI N G FROM THE

SUDDEN TRANSFORMATION OF A HEIGHTEN E D
EXPECTATION INTO NOTHI N G. ”

“HE WHO WOULD KNOW THE WORLD M UST FIRST

MANUFACTURE IT.”

“EVERY BEGINNING IS IN TIM E , AN D E VERY LI M IT OF

EXTENSION IN SPACE. SPACE AN D TIM E , HOWEVE R,
EXIST IN THE WORLD OF SE N SE ON LY. HEN CE
PHENOMENA ARE ONLY LIM ITE D IN THE WORLD
CONDITIONALLY, THE WORLD ITSE LF, HOWEVER, IS
LIMITED NEITHER CONDITION ALLY N OR
UNCONDITIONALLY.”
 RENÉ DESCARTES

R ené Descartes was a French philosopher born in 1596, in

Touraine in France. He is widely regarded as one of the
founders of modern philosophy and had a lot of ground-
breaking ideas. In fact, his famous theory “Cogito, ergo sum” or “I think,
therefore I am” is a big part in his earning of the nickname: ‘the father of
modern philosophy’.
Growing up with his great-uncle and grandmother, in 1616, after graduating
from the University of Poitiers with a Baccalaureate and License in canon
and civil law, he moved to Paris. Descartes spent the years from 1619-1628
travelling Europe. This was due to his resolve to find knowledge from his
own experience and from ‘the great book of the world’. In conjunction with
this, he entirely abandoned ‘the study of letters’. Travelling around Europe
allowed him to broaden his horizons and experiences as he sought to do,
meeting all types of people from a variety of cultures and origins. He would
reflect deeply on everything that came his way, so as to derive value from
it.
Later in his life, René Descartes, encountered a fierce controversy with the
Calvinist theologian Gisbertus Voetius which would continue for the rest of
his life. Descartes made a plea for religious tolerance and the rights of man
in his Letter to Voetius, claiming to write on behalf of Turks (Muslims,
atheists and infidels among them) as well as Christians that because
Protestants and Catholics worship the same God, both can hope to go to
Heaven. When the controversy became intense, Descartes was forced to
seek protection.
In 1640, his daughter Francine died of scarlet fever aged five. Speaking on
the death, Descartes said he did not believe one must refrain from tears to
prove himself a man.
Descartes arranged to give lessons to Queen Christina of Sweden thrice a
week. The queen then revealed that the only times she was available would
be 5am, and this also meant Descartes staying in her cold and draughty
castle. As a result, he caught pneumonia and passed away in February 1650.

I Think, Therefore I Am

René Descartes’ most known teaching, cogito ergo sum - is proof that we
exist. If you ask someone to prove that 2 + 2 is 4, or that you are not indeed
dreaming, it’s hard to do. Therefore, Descartes concluded that if he doubted,
then someone or something must be doing the doubting, thus existing.

Deductive Reasoning

While in Bohemia, he devised a universal method of deductive reasoning,

based on mathematics but applicable to all the sciences. It goes as follows:

1. Accept nothing as true that is not self-evident.

2. Divide problems into parts.
3. Solve problems by proceeding from simple to complex.
4. Recheck the reasoning.

This is, of course, still the method used today.

Dualism

This is the thesis that the mind and the body are distinct and there are two
kinds of substance: mind and matter. The physical things that are spatially
extended are called res extensa, which is what bodies and objects are made
of. The mental things like thoughts and ideas which take up no physical
space are called res cognita, which is what minds are made of. The natures
of the two are completely different, which means it is possible for one to
exist without the other. In this theory, the brain and the mind are not the
same thing - the brain is the connection between the body and the mind as a
physical changeable thing, whereas the mind is whole and indivisible, so
losing a limb does not affect the mind. In conjunction to ‘I think, therefore I
am’, the existence of physical things can be questioned but the mind cannot
be, as questioning it in itself proves its existence.

5 Facts About Descartes

1. Descartes’ finding of ‘I think, therefore I am’ came to him when on

a cold day, he sat inside a stove and spent the whole day meditating
inside of it.
2. Cartesian graphs are named after Descartes, who invented the
coordinate system for mathematics.
3. His Discourses on Method was one of the first modern
philosophical works to not be published in Latin (it was written in
French). He said this was so all with good sense, could read it and
learn to think for themselves.
4. A lot of his time travelling was spent in the Dutch republic, as he
thought they would be very materialistic and too invested in
earning money to concern themselves in the business of a free
thinker. The Dutch turned out to be not as materialistic as he’d
hoped, and he had to move 24 times to stay ahead of spies and
government agents.
5. Once, some friends came to his house in the morning and were
shocked to find him in bed at 11 o’clock. They laughed as they
asked why he had not risen earlier, to which Descartes laughed
back at them for prioritising often nonsensical practical tasks over
pure, quiet reflection in bed.
116 RENÉ DESCARTES QUOTE S

“DIVIDE EACH DIFFICULTY IN TO AS M AN Y PARTS AS IS

FEASIBLE AND NECESSARY TO RE SOLVE IT. ”

“IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO HAVE A GOOD M IN D; THE M AIN

THING IS TO USE IT WELL. ”

“COMMON SENSE IS THE M OST FAIRLY DISTRIB UTE D

THING IN THE WORLD, FOR E ACH ON E THI N KS HE IS SO
WELL-ENDOWED WITH IT THAT E VEN THOSE WHO ARE
HARDEST TO SATISFY IN ALL OTHER M ATTE RS ARE N OT
IN THE HABIT OF DESIRIN G M ORE OF IT THAN THE Y
ALREADY HAVE.”

“THE SENSES DECEIVE FROM TIM E TO TIM E , AN D IT IS

PRUDENT NEVER TO TRUST WHOLLY THOSE WHO H AV E
DECEIVED US EVEN ONCE . ”

“IF YOU WOULD BE A REAL SE E KE R AFTE R TRUTH, IT IS

NECESSARY THAT AT LEAST ON CE IN Y OUR LI FE Y OU
DOUBT, AS FAR AS POSSI B LE, ALL THI N GS. ”
“EXCEPT OUR OWN THOUGHTS , THERE IS N OTHI N G
ABSOLUTELY IN OUR POWER. ”

“ONE CANNOT CONCEIVE AN Y THI N G SO STRAN GE AN D

SO IMPLAUSIBLE THAT I T HAS N OT ALR E ADY B E E N SAID
BY ONE PHILOSOPHER OR AN OTHER. ”

“PERFECT NUMBERS LIKE PERFE CT M E N ARE VERY

RARE.”

“I HOPE THAT POSTERITY WI LL JUDGE M E KIN DLY , N OT

ONLY AS TO THE THINGS WHICH I HAVE E XPLAIN E D,
BUT ALSO TO THOSE WHICH I HAVE IN TE N TION ALL Y
OMITTED SO AS TO LEAVE TO OTHERS THE PLE ASURE OF
DISCOVERY.”

“WHEN IT IS NOT IN OUR POWER TO FOLLOW WHAT IS

TRUE, WE OUGHT TO FOLLOW WHAT IS M OST
PROBABLE.”

“I AM ACCUSTOMED TO SLE E P AN D IN M Y DRE AM S TO

IMAGINE THE SAME THIN GS THAT LUN ATICS IM AGIN E
WHEN AWAKE.”
“THE FIRST PRECEPT WAS N E VER TO ACCE PT A THIN G AS
TRUE UNTIL I KNEW IT AS SUCH WI THOUT A SIN GL E
DOUBT.”

“A STATE IS BETTER GOVERN E D WHICH HAS FE W LAWS,

AND THOSE LAWS ARE STRICTLY OB SE RVED. ”

“I AM INDEED AMAZED WHEN I CON SIDE R HOW W E AK

MY MIND IS AND HOW P RON E TO E RROR. ”

“WHENEVER ANYONE HAS OFFE N DE D M E , I TRY TO RAISE

MY SOUL SO HIGH THAT THE OFFE N CE CAN N OT RE AC H
IT.”

“THE GREATEST MINDS AR E CAPAB LE OF THE GRE ATE ST

VICES AS WELL AS OF THE GRE ATE ST VI RTUE S. ”

“ILLUSORY JOY IS OFTEN WORTH M ORE THAN GE N UIN E

SORROW.”

“AN OPTIMIST MAY SEE A LI GHT WHE RE THERE IS N ON E ,

BUT WHY MUST THE PES SIM IST ALWAY S RUN TO B L OW
IT OUT?”
“TRAVELLING IS ALMOST LI KE TALKIN G WI TH TH OSE OF
OTHER CENTURIES.”

“THE TWO OPERATIONS OF OUR UN DE RSTAN DIN G,

INTUITION AND DEDUCTI ON , ON WHICH ALON E WE
HAVE SAID WE MUST RELY ON THE ACQUISITION OF
KNOWLEDGE.”

“IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE M IN D, WE OUGHT LE SS TO

LEARN, THAN TO CONTEM PLATE . ”

“EACH PROBLEM THAT I SOLVE D B E CAM E A RULE,

WHICH SERVED AFTERWARDS TO SOLVE OTHER
PROBLEMS.”

“DUBITO ERGO COGITO; COGITO E RGO SUM . ”

“THE LONG CONCATENATI ON S OF SIM PLE AN D E ASY

REASONING WHICH GEOM E TRICI AN S USE IN AC HIE V IN G
THEIR MOST DIFFICULT DE M ON STRATION S GAVE M E
OCCASION TO IMAGINE THAT ALL M ATTE RS WHIC H M AY
ENTER THE HUMAN MIN D WERE IN TE RRE LATE D IN THE
SAME FASHION.”
“THE READING OF ALL GOOD B OOKS IS IN DE E D LIKE A
CONVERSATION WITH THE N OB LEST M E N OF PAST
CENTURIES WHO WERE THE AUTHORS OF THEM , N AY A
CAREFULLY STUDIED CONVERSATION , IN WHICH TH E Y
REVEAL TO US NONE BUT THE B E ST OF THEIR
THOUGHTS.”

“GOOD SENSE IS, OF ALL THI N GS AM ON G M E N , THE

MOST EQUALLY DISTRIBUTE D; FOR E VERY ON E TH IN KS
HIMSELF SO ABUNDANTLY PR OVI DE D WI TH IT, THAT
EVEN THOSE WHO ARE THE M OST DIFFICULT TO SATISFY
IN EVERYTHING ELSE, DO N OT USUALLY DE SIRE M ORE . ”

“BUT IN MY OPINION, ALL THI N GS IN N ATURE OCCUR

MATHEMATICALLY.”

“BECAUSE REASON...IS THE ON LY THI N G THAT M AKE S US

MEN, AND DISTINGUISHE S US FROM THE B E ASTS, I
WOULD PREFER TO BELIEVE THAT IT E XISTS, IN ITS
ENTIRETY, IN EACH OF US…”
“THE RAINBOW IS SUCH A RE M ARKAB LE PHE N OM E N ON
OF NATURE, AND ITS CAUSE HAS B E E N SO
METICULOUSLY SOUGHT AFTE R B Y IN Q UIRIN G M IN DS
THROUGHOUT THE AGES, THAT I COULD N OT CHOOSE A
MORE APPROPRIATE SUBJE CT FOR DE M ON STRATIN G
HOW, WITH THE METHOD I AM USIN G, WE CAN ARRIV E
AT KNOWLEDGE NOT POS SE SSE D AT ALL B Y THOSE
WHOSE WRITINGS ARE AVAILAB LE TO US. ”

“ARCHIMEDES, THAT HE M IGHT TRAN SPORT THE E N TIRE

GLOBE ... DEMANDED ONLY A POIN T THAT WAS FIRM
AND IMMOVABLE; SO ALSO, I SHALL B E E N TITLED TO
ENTERTAIN THE HIGHEST E XPECTATION S, IF I AM
FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO DISCOVER ON LY ON E TH IN G
THAT IS CERTAIN AND INDUB ITAB LE. ”

“IT IS BEST NOT TO GO ON A GRE AT Q UE ST FOR TRUTH ,

IT WILL ONLY MAKE YOU M ISE RAB LE. ”
“MY THIRD MAXIM WAS TO TRY ALWAY S TO CON Q UE R
MYSELF RATHER THAN FORTUN E , AN D TO CHAN GE M Y
DESIRES RATHER THAN THE ORDE R OF THE WORLD, AN D
GENERALLY TO ACCUSTOM M Y SE LF TO B E LI E VI N G TH AT
THERE IS NOTHING ENTIRE LY IN OUR POWER E XCE PT
OUR THOUGHTS, SO THAT AFTE R WE HAVE DON E OUR
BEST REGARDING THINGS E XTE RN AL TO US,
EVERYTHING IN WHICH WE DO N OT SUCCE E D IS FOR US
ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE . ”

“WE CALL INFINITE THAT THI N G WHOSE LI M ITS WE

HAVE NOT PERCEIVED, AN D SO B Y THAT WORD WE DO
NOT SIGNIFY WHAT WE UN DE RSTAN D AB OUT A TH IN G,
BUT RATHER WHAT WE DO N OT UN DE RSTAN D. ”

“I SHOULD CONSIDER THAT I KN OW N OTHI N G AB OUT

PHYSICS IF I WERE ABLE TO E XPLAIN ON LY HOW THIN GS
MIGHT BE, AND WERE UN AB LE TO DE M ON STRATE TH AT
THEY COULD NOT BE OTHE RWI SE . ”

“INSTEAD I OUGHT TO BE GRATE FUL TO HI M WHO N E V E R

OWED ME ANYTHING FOR HAVI N G B E E N SO GE N E ROUS
TO ME, RATHER THAN THI N K THAT HE DE PR IVED M E OF
THOSE THINGS OR HAS TAKE N AWAY FROM M E
WHATEVER HE DID NOT GIVE M E . ”
“YOUR JOY IS YOUR SORR OW UN M ASKE D. AN D TH E SE LF-
SAME WELL FROM WHICH Y OUR LAUGHTER RISE S WAS
OFTEN-TIMES FILLED WITH Y OUR TE ARS. ”

“I DID NOT IMITATE THE SKE PTI CS WHO DOUB T ON L Y

FOR DOUBTING' S SAKE, AN D PR E TE N D TO B E ALWAY S
UNDECIDED; ON THE CONTRARY , M Y WHOLE IN TE N TION
WAS TO ARRIVE AT A CER TAIN TY , AN D TO DIG AWAY TH E
DRIFT AND THE SAND UN TIL I RE ACHE D THE ROCK OR
THE CLAY BENEATH.”

“I CONCLUDED THAT I MIGHT TAKE AS A GE N E RAL RULE

THE PRINCIPLE THAT ALL THI N GS WHICH WE VERY
CLEARLY AND OBVIOUSLY CON CEIVE ARE TRUE : ON LY
OBSERVING, HOWEVER, THAT THERE IS SOM E
DIFFICULTY IN RIGHTLY DE TE RM IN IN G THE OB JE C TS
WHICH WE DISTINCTLY CON CEIVE. ”

“SO BLIND IS THE CURIOSITY B Y WHICH M ORTALS ARE

POSSESSED, THAT THEY OFTE N CON DUCT THEIR M IN DS
ALONG UNEXPLORED ROUTE S, HAVI N G N O RE ASON TO
HOPE FOR SUCCESS, BUT M E RE LY B E IN G WI LLIN G TO
RISK THE EXPERIMENT OF FIN DIN G WHE THER THE
TRUTH THEY SEEK LIES THERE . ”
“NEITHER DIVINE GRACE N OR N ATURAL KN OWLE DGE
EVER DIMINISHES FREEDOM . ”

“SENSATIONS ARE NOTHIN G B UT CON FUSE D M ODE S OF

THINKING.”

“WHEN WRITING ABOUT TRAN SCEN DE N TAL ISSUE S, B E

TRANSCENDENTALLY CLE AR. ”

“IT IS CONTRARY TO REASON IN G TO SAY THAT THE RE IS

A VACUUM OR SPACE IN WHICH THERE IS AB SOL UTE L Y
NOTHING.”

“THERE IS A DIFFERENCE B E TWEE N HAPPIN E SS, TH E

SUPREME GOOD, AND TH E FIN AL E N D OR GOAL TOWARD
WHICH OUR ACTIONS OUGHT TO TE N D. FOR HAPP IN E SS
IS NOT THE SUPREME GOOD, B UT PR E SUPPOSE S IT,
BEING THE CONTENTMEN T OR SATISFACTI ON OF THE
MIND WHICH RESULTS FROM POSSE SSIN G IT. ”

“FOR HOW DO WE KNOW THAT THE THOUGHTS W HICH

OCCUR IN DREAMING ARE FALS E RATHER THAN THOSE
OTHERS WHICH WE EXPERIE N CE WHE N AWAKE , SIN CE
THE FORMER ARE OFTEN N OT LESS VI VI D AN D DISTIN C T
THAN THE LATTER?”
“NEITHER THE TRUE NOR THE FALS E ROOTS ARE AL W AY S
REAL; SOMETIMES THEY ARE IM AGIN ARY ; THAT IS,
WHILE WE CAN ALWAYS IM AGIN E AS M AN Y ROOTS FOR
EACH EQUATION AS I HAVE ASSIGN E D, Y E T THERE IS
NOT ALWAYS A DEFINITE Q UAN TITY CORRE SPON DIN G TO
EACH ROOT WE HAVE IMAGIN E D. ”

“IN THE MATTER OF A DIFFICULT Q UE STION IT IS M ORE

LIKELY THAT THE TRUTH SHOULD HAVE B E E N
DISCOVERED BY THE FEW THAN B Y THE M AN Y . ”

“...IT IS CERTAIN THAT I AM RE ALLY DISTIN CT FROM M Y

BODY, AND CAN EXIST WITHOUT IT. ”

“EVEN THE MIND DEPEN DS SO M UCH ON TE M PERAM E N T

AND THE DISPOSITION OF ON E ' S B ODILY ORGAN S THAT,
IF IT IS POSSIBLE TO FIND A WAY TO M AKE PEOPL E
GENERALLY MORE WISE AN D M ORE SKILFUL THAN TH E Y
HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST, I B E LI E VE THAT WE SH OUL D
LOOK FOR IT IN MEDICINE. IT IS TRUE THAT M E DIC IN E
AS IT IS CURRENTLY PRACTI CED CON TAIN S LI TTLE OF
MUCH USE.”
“AND AS IT IS THE MOST GE N E ROUS SOULS WHO H AV E
MOST GRATITUDE, IT IS THOSE WHO HAVE M OST P RIDE ,
AND WHO ARE MOST BASE AN D IN FIRM , WHO M OST
ALLOW THEMSELVES TO B E CARRIE D AWAY B Y AN GE R
AND HATRED.”

“THE NATURE OF MATTE R, OR B ODY CON SIDE RE D IN

GENERAL, CONSISTS NOT IN ITS B E IN G SOM E THIN G
WHICH IS HARD OR HEAVY OR COLOURE D, OR WHICH
AFFECTS THE SENSES IN AN Y WAY , B UT SIM PLY IN ITS
BEING SOMETHING WHICH IS E XTE N DE D IN LEN GTH,
BREADTH AND DEPTH.”

“HENCE REASON ALSO DEM AN DS THAT, SIN CE OUR

THOUGHTS CANNOT ALL B E TRUE B E CAUSE WE ARE N OT
WHOLLY PERFECT, WHAT TRUTH THEY DO POSSE SS
MUST INEVITABLY BE FOUN D IN THE THOUGHTS WE
HAVE WHEN AWAKE, RATHER THAN IN OUR DRE AM S. ”

“THERE IS NOTHING SO FAR RE M OVED FROM US TO B E

BEYOND OUR REACH, OR SO FAR HI DDE N THAT W E
CANNOT DISCOVER IT.”
“THE PRINCIPAL USE OF PR UDE N CE, OF SE LF- CON TROL ,
IS THAT IT TEACHES US TO B E M ASTE RS OF OUR
PASSIONS, AND TO SO CON TROL AN D GUIDE THEM TH AT
THE EVILS WHICH THEY CAUSE ARE Q UITE B E ARAB LE ,
AND THAT WE EVEN DERIVE JOY FROM THEM ALL. ”

“THESE LONG CHAINS OF PERFE CTLY SIM PLE AN D E ASY

REASONINGS BY MEANS OF WHICH GE OM E TE RS ARE
ACCUSTOMED TO CARRY OUT THEIR M OST DIFFIC UL T
DEMONSTRATIONS HAD LE D M E TO FAN CY THAT
EVERYTHING THAT CAN FALL UN DE R HUM AN
KNOWLEDGE FORMS A SI M ILAR SE Q UE N CE; AN D THAT
SO LONG AS WE AVOID ACCE PTI N G AS TRUE WHAT IS
NOT SO, AND ALWAYS PR E SE RVE THE RIGHT ORDE R OF
DEDUCTION OF ONE THIN G FROM AN OTHER, THE RE C AN
BE NOTHING TOO REMOTE TO B E RE ACHE D IN THE E N D,
OR TO WELL HIDDEN TO B E DISCOVERE D. ”

“I ACCEPT NO PRINCIPLES OF PHY SICS WHICH ARE N OT

ALSO ACCEPTED IN MATHE M ATICS . ”

“THE ENTIRE METHOD CON SISTS IN THE ORDE R AN D

ARRANGEMENT OF THE THI N GS TO WHICH THE M IN D' S
EYE MUST TURN SO THAT WE CAN DISCOVER SOM E
TRUTH.”
“THERE IS A GREAT DIFFERE N CE B E TWEE N M IN D AN D
BODY INSOMUCH AS BODY IS B Y N ATURE ALWAY S
DIVISIBLE, AND THE MIND IS E N TIRE LY IN DIVI SIB L E . ”

“THERE IS NOTHING MORE AN CI E N T THAN THE TRUTH . ”

“ALTHOUGH MY KNOWLEDGE GROWS M ORE AN D M ORE ,

NEVERTHELESS I DO NOT FOR THAT RE ASON B E L IE V E
THAT IT CAN EVER BE AC TUALLY IN FIN ITE , SIN CE IT CAN
NEVER REACH A POINT SO HI GH THAT IT WI LL B E
UNABLE TO ATTAIN ANY GRE ATE R IN CR E ASE . ”

“I AM A THING THAT THINKS: THAT IS, A THI N G THAT

DOUBTS, AFFIRMS, DENIES, UN DE RSTAN DS A FE W
THINGS, IS IGNORANT OF M AN Y THI N GS, IS WI LL IN G, IS
UNWILLING, AND ALSO WHICH IM AGIN E S AN D H AS
SENSORY PERCEPTIONS.”

“WHEN I CONSIDER THIS CARE FULLY , I FIN D N OT A

SINGLE PROPERTY WHICH WI TH CERTAIN TY SE P ARATE S
THE WAKING STATE FROM THE DRE AM . HOW CAN Y OU
BE CERTAIN THAT YOUR WHOLE LI FE IS N OT A DRE AM ? ”
“SOME YEARS AGO I WAS STRUCK B Y THE LARGE N UM B E R
OF FALSEHOODS THAT I HAD ACCE PTED AS TRUE IN M Y
CHILDHOOD, AND BY THE HI GHLY DOUB TFUL N ATURE
OF THE WHOLE EDIFICE THAT I HAD SUB SE Q UE N TL Y
BASED ON THEM. I REALI SE D THAT IT WAS N E CESSARY ,
ONCE IN THE COURSE OF M Y LI FE , TO DE M OLI SH
EVERYTHING COMPLETELY AN D START AGAIN RIGHT
FROM THE FOUNDATIONS IF I WAN TE D TO E STAB L ISH
ANYTHING AT ALL IN THE SCI E N CES THAT WAS STAB L E
AND LIKELY TO LAST.”

“NOW THEREFORE, THAT M Y M IN D IS FRE E FROM ALL

CARES, AND THAT I HAVE OB TAIN E D FOR M Y SE LF
ASSURED LEISURE IN PEACEFUL SOLI TUDE , I SHALL
APPLY MYSELF SERIOUSLY AN D FRE E LY TO THE GE N E RAL
DESTRUCTION OF ALL MY FORM E R OPI N ION S. ”

“LET WHOEVER CAN DO SO DE CEIVE M E , HE WI L L N E VE R

BRING IT ABOUT THAT I AM N OTHI N G, SO LON G AS I
CONTINUE TO THINK I AM SOM E THI N G. ”
“I SUPPOSE THEREFORE THAT ALL THI N GS I SE E ARE
ILLUSIONS; I BELIEVE THAT N OTHI N G HAS E VER
EXISTED OF EVERYTHING M Y LYIN G M E M ORY TE LL S M E .
I THINK I HAVE NO SENSES. I B E LI E VE THAT B ODY ,
SHAPE, EXTENSION, MOTI ON , LOCATION ARE
FUNCTIONS. WHAT IS TH E RE THEN THAT CAN B E TAKE N
AS TRUE? PERHAPS ONLY THI S ON E THI N G, THAT
NOTHING AT ALL IS CERTAIN . ”

“BUT I CANNOT FORGET THAT, AT OTHER TIM E S I HAV E

BEEN DECEIVED IN SLEEP B Y SIM ILAR ILLUSION S; AN D,
ATTENTIVELY CONSIDERIN G THOSE CASE S, I PERCE IV E
SO CLEARLY THAT THERE E XIST N O CERTAIN M ARKS B Y
WHICH THE STATE OF WAKIN G CAN E VER B E
DISTINGUISHED FROM S LEE P, THAT I FE E L GRE ATLY
ASTONISHED; AND IN AM AZE M E N T I ALMOST PERSUADE
MYSELF THAT I AM NOW DRE AM IN G. ”

“IT' S THE FAMILIAR LOVE -HATE SY N DROM E OF

SEDUCTION: "I DON' T REALLY CARE WHAT IT IS I SAY , I
CARE ONLY THAT YOU LIKE IT. "
“IF WE POSSESSED A THOROUGH KN OWLE DGE OF ALL
THE PARTS OF THE SEED OF AN Y AN IM AL (M AN ), WE
COULD FROM THAT ALONE , B E RE ASON S E N TIRE L Y
MATHEMATICAL AND CERTAIN , DE DUCE THE WHOLE
CONFORMATION AND FIGURE OF E ACH OF ITS M E M B E RS,
AND, CONVERSELY IF WE KN E W SE VERAL PECUL IARITIE S
OF THIS CONFORMATION, WE WOULD FROM THOSE
DEDUCE THE NATURE OF ITS SE E D. ”

“IF I GO FOR THE ALTERNATIVE WHICH IS FALS E , TH E N

OBVIOUSLY I SHALL BE I N E RROR; IF I TAKE THE OTH E R
SIDE, THEN IT IS BY... CHAN CE THAT I ARRIVE AT TH E
TRUTH, AND I SHALL STI LL B E AT FAULT.. . . IN TH IS
INCORRECT USE OF FREE WI LL M AY B E FOUN D THE
PRIVATION WHICH CON STITUTE S THE E SSE N CE OF
ERROR.”

“AND I SHALL ALWAYS HOLD M Y SE LF M ORE OB LI GE D TO

THOSE BY WHOSE FAVOUR I E N JOY UN IN TE RRUPTE D
LEISURE THAN TO ANY WHO M IGHT OFFE R M E TH E M OST
HONOURABLE POSITIONS IN THE WORLD. ”

“IT IS TO THE BODY ALONE THAT WE SHOULD ATTRIB UTE

EVERYTHING THAT CAN B E OB SE RVED IN US TO OP P OSE
OUR REASON.”
“EVEN IF I WERE TO SUPPOSE THAT I WAS DRE AM IN G
AND WHATEVER I SAW OR IM AGIN E D WAS FALS E , Y E T I
COULD NOT DENY THAT IDE AS WERE TRULY IN M Y
MIND.”

“THE GREATEST MINDS, AS THEY ARE CAPAB LE OF TH E

HIGHEST EXCELLENCIES, ARE OPEN LI KE WI SE TO THE
GREATEST ABERRATIONS; AN D THOSE WHO TRAVE L V E RY
SLOWLY MAY YET MAKE FAR GRE ATE R PR OGRE SS,
PROVIDED THEY KEEP ALWAY S TO THE STRAIGH T ROAD,
THAN THOSE WHO, WHI LE THEY RUN , FORSAKE IT. ”

“AS I CONSIDERED THE MATTE R CARE FULLY IT

GRADUALLY CAME TO LIGHT THAT ALL THOSE M ATTE RS
ONLY REFERRED TO MATHE M ATICS IN WHICH ORDE R
AND MEASUREMENTS ARE IN VESTIGATE D, AN D TH AT IT
MAKES NO DIFFERENCE WHE THER IT B E IN N UM B E RS,
FIGURES, STARS, SOUNDS OR AN Y OTHER OB JE CT THAT
THE QUESTION OF MEASURE M E N T ARISE S. I SAW
CONSEQUENTLY THAT THE RE M UST B E SOM E GE N E RAL
SCIENCE TO EXPLAIN TH AT E LEM E N T AS A WHOL E
WHICH GIVES RISE TO PR OB LEM S AB OUT ORDE R AN D
MEASUREMENT, RESTRIC TE D AS THESE ARE TO N O
SPECIAL SUBJECT MATTER . THI S, I PERCEIVED, W AS
CALLED ' UNIVERSAL MATHEM ATICS ' . ”
“I AM THINKING, THEREFORE I E XIST. I WAS A
SUBSTANCE WHOSE WHOLE E SSE N CE OR N ATURE IS
SOLELY TO THINK, AND WHI CH DOE S N OT RE Q UIRE AN Y
PLACE, OR DEPEND ON AN Y M ATE RIAL THI N G, IN ORDE R
TO EXIST. ACCORDINGLY THI S ' I' - THAT IS, THE SOUL B Y
WHICH I AM WHAT I AM - IS E N TIRE LY DISTIN CT FROM
THE BODY, AND INDEED IS E ASIE R TO KN OW TH AN TH E
BODY, AND WOULD NOT FAIL TO B E WHATE VER IT IS,
EVEN IF THE BODY DID NOT E XIST. ”

“GIVE ME EXTENSION AND M OTION AN D I WI LL

CONSTRUCT THE UNIVERSE . ”

“BE THAT AS IT MAY, THER E IS FIXE D IN M Y M IN D A

CERTAIN OPINION OF LON G STAN DIN G, N AM E LY THAT
THERE EXISTS A GOD WH O IS AB LE TO DO AN Y THIN G
AND BY WHOM I, SUCH AS I AM , HAVE B E E N CR E ATE D.
HOW DO I KNOW THAT H E DID N OT B RIN G IT AB OUT
THAT THERE IS NO EARTH AT ALL, N O HEAVEN S, N O
EXTENDED THING, NO SHAPE, N O SIZE , N O PLACE , AN D
YET BRINGING IT ABOUT THAT ALL THESE THI N GS
APPEAR TO ME TO EXIST PR E CI SE LY AS THEY DO N OW ? ”

“THE MIND EFFORTLESSLY AN D AUTOM ATICALLY TAKE S

IN NEW IDEAS, WHICH RE M AIN IN LI M B O UN TIL
VERIFIED OR REJECTED B Y CON SCI OUS, RATION AL
ANALYSIS.”
“BAD BOOKS ENGENDER B AD HAB ITS, B UT B AD HAB ITS
ENGENDER GOOD BOOKS. ”

“HERE I BEG YOU TO OBS E RVE IN PASSIN G THAT TH E

SCRUPLES THAT PREVENTE D AN CI E N T WR ITE RS FROM
USING ARITHMETICAL TE RM S IN GE OM E TRY , AN D
WHICH CAN ONLY BE A CON SE Q UE N CE OF THEIR
INABILITY TO PERCEIVE CLE ARLY THE RE LATION
BETWEEN THESE TWO SUB JE CTS , IN TRODUCED M UC H
OBSCURITY AND CONFUSION IN TO THEIR
EXPLANATIONS.”

“WHAT THEN IS THE SOURCE OF M Y E RRORS? TH E Y ARE

OWING SIMPLY TO THE FACT THAT, SIN CE THE WIL L
EXTENDS FURTHER THAN THE IN TE LLE CT, I DO N OT
CONTAIN THE WILL WITHI N THE SAM E B OUN DARIE S;
RATHER, I ALSO EXTEND IT TO THI N GS I DO N OT
UNDERSTAND. BECAUSE THE WI LL IS IN DIFFE RE N T IN
REGARD TO SUCH MATTERS, IT E ASILY TURN S AWAY
FROM THE TRUE AND THE GOOD; AN D IN THI S W AY I AM
DECEIVED AND I SIN.”

“TO LIVE WITHOUT PHILOSOPHISIN G IS IN TRUTH THE

SAME AS KEEPING THE EYE S CLOSE D WI THOUT
ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THEM . ”
“IN PHILOSOPHY, WHEN WE M AKE USE OF FALS E
PRINCIPLES, WE DEPART THE FARTHER FROM TH E
KNOWLEDGE OF TRUTH AN D WI SDOM E XACTLY IN
PROPORTION TO THE CARE WI TH WHICH WE CUL TIV ATE
THEM, AND APPLY OURSE LVE S TO THE DE DUCTI ON OF
DIVERSE CONSEQUENCES FROM THEM , THI N KIN G TH AT
WE ARE PHILOSOPHISING WELL, WHILE WE ARE ON L Y
DEPARTING THE FARTHER FROM THE TRUTH; FROM
WHICH IT MUST BE INFER RE D THAT THEY WHO H AV E
LEARNED THE LEAST OF ALL THAT HAS B E E N HI TH E RTO
DISTINGUISHED BY THE N AM E OF PHILOSOPHY ARE TH E
MOST FITTED FOR THE APPR E HEN SION OF TRUTH. ”

“HOW DO WE KNOW THAT AN Y THI N G RE ALLY E XISTS,

THAT ANYTHING IS REALLY THE WAY IT SE E M S TO US
THROUGH OUR SENSES?”

“REASON IS NOTHING WI THOUT IM AGIN ATION . ”

“IN GOD THERE IS AN IN FIN ITUDE OF THI N GS W HICH I

CANNOT COMPREHEND, N OR POSSIB LY E VEN RE AC H IN
ANY WAY BY THOUGHT; F OR IT IS THE N ATURE OF THE
INFINITE THAT MY NATURE , WHICH IS FIN ITE AN D
LIMITED, SHOULD NOT COM PR E HEN D IT. ”
“IT MUST NOT BE THOUGHT THAT IT IS E VER POSSIB L E
TO REACH THE INTERIOR E ARTH B Y AN Y PERSE VE RAN CE
IN MINING: BOTH BECAUS E THE E XTE RIOR E ARTH IS
TOO THICK, IN COMPARISON WI TH HUM AN STRE N GTH;
AND ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF THE IN TE RM E DIATE
WATERS, WHICH WOULD GUSH FORTH WI TH GRE ATE R
IMPETUS, THE DEEPER THE PLACE IN WHICH THE IR
VEINS WERE FIRST OPENED; AN D WHICH WOULD
DROWN ALL MINERS.”

“SCIENCE IS PRACTICAL PHILOSOPHY . ”

“EVERYTHING IS SELF-EVIDE N T. ”

“FEW LOOK FOR TRUTH; M AN Y PR OWL AB OUT FOR A

REPUTATION OF PROFUNDITY B Y ARROGAN TLY
CHALLENGING WHICHEVER ARGUM E N TS ARE THE B E ST. ”

“EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE THE WEAKE ST SOULS C OUL D

ACQUIRE ABSOLUTE MASTE RY OVER ALL THEIR
PASSIONS IF WE EMPLOYE D SUFFICI E N T IN GE N UITY IN
TRAINING AND GUIDING THEM . ”
“INTUITION IS THE UNDOUB TIN G CON CEPTI ON OF A
PURE AND ATTENTIVE M IN D, WHICH ARISE S FROM THE
LIGHT OF REASON ALON E , AN D IS M ORE CERTAIN THAN
DEDUCTION.”

“DOUBT IS THE ORIGIN OF WI SDOM . ”

“AT LAST I WILL DEVOTE M Y SE LF SIN CERE LY AN D

WITHOUT RESERVATION TO THE GE N E RAL DE M OLITION
OF MY OPINIONS.”

“SO FAR, I HAVE BEEN A SPECTATOR IN THI S THEATRE

WHICH IS THE WORLD, B UT I AM N OW AB OUT TO M OUN T
THE STAGE, AND I COME FORWARD M ASKE D. ”

“JUST AS WE BELIEVE BY FAITH THAT THE GRE ATE ST

HAPPINESS OF THE NEXT LI FE CON SISTS SIM PLY IN THE
CONTEMPLATION OF THIS DIVI N E M AJE STY , LI KE W ISE
WE EXPERIENCE THAT WE DE RIVE THE GRE ATE ST JOY
OF WHICH WE ARE CAPAB LE IN THI S LI FE FROM TH E
SAME CONTEMPLATION, E VEN THOUGH IT IS M UCH LE SS
PERFECT.”
“I HAVE CONCLUDED THE E VI DE N T E XISTE N CE OF GOD,
AND THAT MY EXISTENCE DE PEN DS E N TIRE LY ON GOD
IN ALL THE MOMENTS OF M Y LI FE , THAT I DO N OT THIN K
THAT THE HUMAN SPIRIT M AY KN OW AN Y THI N G W ITH
GREATER EVIDENCE AND CERTITUDE . ”

“EVERY MAN IS INDEED B OUN D TO DO WHAT HE CAN TO

PROMOTE THE GOOD OF OTHERS, AN D A M AN WHO IS OF
NO USE TO ANYONE IS STRICTLY WORTHLE SS. ”

“IF IT IS NOT IN MY POWE R TO ARRIVE AT THE

KNOWLEDGE OF ANY TRUTH, I M AY AT LEAST DO W HAT
IS IN MY POWER, NAMELY, SUSPEN D JUDGE M E N T. ”

“INTUITIVE KNOWLEDGE IS AN ILLUM IN ATION OF THE

SOUL, WHEREBY IT BEHOLDS IN THE LI GHT OF GOD
THOSE THINGS WHICH IT PLE ASE S HI M TO RE VEAL TO
US BY A DIRECT IMPRESS ION OF DIVI N E CLE ARN E SS. ”
“... REGARD THIS BODY AS A M ACHIN E WHICH, HAV IN G
BEEN MADE BY THE HAN D OF GOD, IS IN COM PARAB L Y
BETTER ORDERED THAN AN Y M ACHIN E THAT CAN B E
DEVISED BY MAN, AND CON TAIN S IN ITSE LF
MOVEMENTS MORE WON DE RFUL THAN THOSE IN AN Y
MACHINE. ... IT IS FOR ALL PR ACTI CAL PURPOSE S
IMPOSSIBLE FOR A MACHIN E TO HAVE E N OUGH ORGAN S
TO MAKE IT ACT IN ALL THE CON TIN GE N CI E S OF LIFE IN
THE WAY IN WHICH OUR RE ASON M AKE S US ACT . ”

“HUMAN WISDOM REMAIN S ALWAY S ON E AN D TH E SAM E

ALTHOUGH APPLIED TO THE M OST DIVERSE OB JE CTS
AND IT IS NO MORE CHAN GE D B Y THEIR DIVERSITY
THAN THE SUNSHINE IS CHAN GE D B Y THE VARIE TY OF
OBJECTS WHICH IT ILLUM IN ATE S. ”

“TRUTHS ARE MORE LIKELY TO B E DISCOVERE D B Y ON E

MAN THAN BY A NATION. ”

“WONDER IS THE FIRST OF ALL THE PASSION S. ”

“THIS RESULT COULD HAVE B E E N ACHIE VED E ITH E R B Y
HIS ENDOWING MY INTELLE CT WI TH A CLE AR AN D
DISTINCT PERCEPTION OF E VERY THI N G AB OUT WHICH I
WOULD EVER DELIBERATE , OR SIM PLY B Y IM PR E SSIN G
THE FOLLOWING RULE S O FIRM LY UPON M Y M E M ORY
THAT I COULD NEVER FOR GE T IT: I SHOULD N E V E R
JUDGE ANYTHING THAT I DO N OT CLE ARLY AN D
DISTINCTLY UNDERSTAND. ”

“YOU JUST KEEP PUSHING. Y OU JUST KE E P PUSHIN G. I

MADE EVERY MISTAKE THAT COULD B E M ADE . B UT I JUST
KEPT PUSHING.”

“WE NEVER UNDERSTAN D A THI N G SO WELL AN D M AKE

IT OUR OWN, AS WHEN WE HAVE DISCOVERE D IT FOR
OURSELVES.”

“I KNOW THAT I EXIST; THE Q UE STION IS, WHAT IS TH IS

' I' THAT ' I' KNOW.”

“MATHEMATICS IS A MORE POWERFUL IN STRUM E N T OF

KNOWLEDGE THAN ANY OTHER THAT HAS B E E N
BEQUEATHED TO US BY H UM AN AGE N CY. ”
“SITUATIONS IN LIFE OFTE N PERM IT N O DE LAY ; AN D
WHEN WE CANNOT DETE RM IN E THE COURSE WHIC H IS
CERTAINLY BEST, WE MUS T FOLLOW THE ON E WHICH IS
PROBABLY THE BEST. THI S FRAM E OF M IN D FRE E D M E
ALSO FROM THE REPENTAN CE AN D RE M ORSE
COMMONLY FELT BY THOSE VACI LLATIN G IN DIVIDUAL S
WHO ARE ALWAYS SEEKIN G AS WORTHWHI LE THIN GS
WHICH THEY LATER JUDGE TO B E B AD. ”

“ANY COMMUNITY THAT GE TS ITS LAUGHS B Y

PRETENDING TO BE IDIOTS WI LL E VEN TUALLY B E
FLOODED BY ACTUAL IDIOTS WHO M ISTAKE N LY B E L IE V E
THAT THEY' RE IN GOOD COM PAN Y . ”

“BUT POSSIBLY I AM SOME THI N G M ORE THAN I SUPP OSE

MYSELF TO BE.”
“BEFORE EXAMINING THIS M ORE CARE FULLY AN D
INVESTIGATING ITS CONS E Q UE N CES, I WAN T TO DWE LL
FOR A MOMENT IN THE CON TE M PLATION OF GOD, TO
PONDER HIS ATTRIBUTES IN M E , TO SE E , ADM IRE , AN D
ADORE THE BEAUTY OF HI S B OUN DLESS LI GHT, IN SOFAR
AS MY CLOUDED INSIGH T ALLOWS . B E LI E VI N G THAT THE
SUPREME HAPPINESS OF THE OTHER LI FE CON SISTS
WHOLLY OF THE CONTEMPLATION OF DIVI N E
GREATNESS, I NOW FIND THAT THR OUGH LESS P E RFE CT
CONTEMPLATION OF THE SAM E SORT I CAN GAIN THE
GREATEST JOY AVAILABLE IN THI S LI FE . ”

“THE CHIEF CAUSE OF HUM AN E RRORS IS TO B E FOUN D

IN THE PREJUDICES PICKE D UP IN CHILDHOOD. ”

“WE DO NOT DESCRIBE THE WORLD WE SE E , WE SE E

THE WORLD WE DESCRIBE . ”

“... MORAL CERTAINTY IS CERTAIN TY WHICH IS

SUFFICIENT TO REGULATE OUR B E HAVI OUR, OR WHICH
MEASURES UP TO THE CER TAIN TY WE HAVE ON M ATTE RS
RELATING TO THE CONDUCT OF LI FE WHICH WE N E V E R
NORMALLY DOUBT, THOUGH WE KN OW THAT IT IS
POSSIBLE, ABSOLUTELY SPEAKIN G, THAT THEY M AY B E
FALSE.”
 PLATO

I n Athens, around 427 BC, a prodigy known as Plato would be

born. Plato would go on to become one of the world’s most
famous philosophers, with many of his teachings and ideas still
being studied in the present day. From a very young age until the point of
death, Plato was seen as an outstanding thinker.
Plato was born into a very wealthy family. Throughout his life he was on a
quest to help individuals in society reach a particular state he termed
‘Eudaemonia’ which can be translated to fulfilment. Plato maintains a
virtue-based eudaemonistic conception of ethics. That is to say, happiness
or well-being (eudaemonia) is the highest aim of moral thought and
conduct, and the virtues (arête: 'excellence') are the requisite skills and
dispositions needed to attain it.
Plato was actually a pupil of another famous philosopher, Socrates. Funnily
enough, as well as this he was the teacher and mentor of Aristotle.
Plato was a very enthusiastic and passionate soul who loved to write,
clearly observable by the 36 books which he managed to create through his
life’s work.
To name just a few of his well-known works:

The Apology
The Republic
The Meno
The Law
The Symposium

These books played a huge role in the way art, ethics, metaphysics, mind,
realism were viewed at that time.
 Think for Yourself

Plato strongly believed that due to the fact we are free, autonomous beings
we should take the time to reflect on our thoughts and ensure we leave
ourselves enough time in the day to simply ‘think’. He believed that once in
a while one should analyse, and evaluate their thoughts. He believed we
should challenge our own thoughts, in doing so we can avoid Doxas -
popular opinion. Plato hated the idea of having a popular opinion because
of its flaw of always glorifying the wrong values.
Plato believed that the only way to fully break out of popular opinion is by
practicing philosophy and giving yourself time to think, evaluate and
rationalise your thoughts, leaving you better able to decide whether that is
an opinion you have because it’s right or whether that’s an opinion you have
due to external influences.

End Democracy

Plato believed there were way too many uneducated people who vote,
meaning a lot of votes were being cast through irrational logic, which
dilutes the power of democracy. If you have someone who is uneducated
about politics and they are going in to vote it diminishes the power that
their vote has as it’s an uneducated vote, rather than a thought out, logical
vote, thus causing the wrong people to always get voted into power.
Few people are properly educated. Therefore Plato believed we must
educate the masses. Our goal should be to get to a point where everyone is
thinking freely and rationally.

Forms

Plato believed that we lived in a world of forms. The world is split into two
separate parts, the physical and the spiritual. The physical is everything that
can be seen, measured and observed in the empirical world, but reality goes
far beyond the physical world. The spiritual is a place in the realm of forms.
Plato believed that everything that we currently observe is just a shadow of
the spiritual realm. In addition, things in the spiritual realm were abstract,
perfect, unchanging and unaffected by time and space.
In order to be the best version of ourselves or to create the best version of a
thing, we must draw great influence from the spiritual realm. He believed
that we are able to use the realm of forms to help us get to the closest
version of perfect. The forms acted as a template for us to use.

5 Facts About Plato

1. Plato’s mother married his uncle when his father died.

2. The Roman emperor at the time, Justinian, considered the academy
which was founded by Plato as a threat to Christianity and decided
to completely close the school down.
3. Plato was once offered the chance to be a ruler of Athens with 30
other tyrants. He refused the offer.
4. Plato believed that at the centre of love should be admiration. We
must look for a partner that has all the features we are missing
from ourselves with hopes that they can influence us to be more
like them.
5. It is rumoured that Plato was named after his father and his real
name is supposedly Aristocles.
95 PLATO QUOTES

“DO NOT TRAIN A CHILD TO LEARN B Y FORCE OR

HARSHNESS; BUT DIRECT THEM TO IT B Y WHAT AM USE S
THEIR MINDS, SO THAT Y OU M AY B E B E TTE R AB L E TO
DISCOVER WITH ACCURACY THE PECULI AR B E N T OF THE
GENIUS OF EACH.”

“WISE MEN TALK BECAUSE THEY HAVE SOM E THI N G TO

SAY; FOOLS, BECAUSE THE Y HAVE TO SAY SOM E TH IN G. ”

“WE CAN EASILY FORGIVE A CHILD WHO IS AFRAID OF

THE DARK; THE REAL TRAGE DY OF LI FE IS WHE N M E N
ARE AFRAID OF THE LIGHT.”

“THE FIRST AND THE BEST VI CTORY IS TO CON Q UE R

SELF.”

“THE PENALTY GOOD MEN PAY FOR IN DIFFE RE N CE TO

PUBLIC AFFAIRS IS TO BE RULED B Y E VI L M E N . ”

“LOVE IS A SERIOUS MENTAL DISE ASE . ”

“IN POLITICS WE PRESUM E THAT E VERY ON E WHO
KNOWS HOW TO GET VOTE S KN OWS HOW TO
ADMINISTER A REGION. WHEN WE ARE ILL. . . WE DO N OT
ASK FOR THE HANDSOMEST PHY SICI AN , OR THE M OST
ELOQUENT ONE.”

“I HAVE GOOD HOPE THAT THERE IS SOM E THI N G AFTE R

DEATH.”

“WE ARE TWICE ARMED IF WE FIGHT WI TH FAITH. ”

“OPINION IS THE MEDIUM B E TWEE N KN OWLE DGE AN D

IGNORANCE.”

“ONLY THE DEAD HAVE SE E N THE E N D OF WAR. ”

“THINKING IS THE TALKIN G OF THE SOUL WI TH ITSE L F. ”

“THE BEGINNING IS THE M OST IM PORTAN T PART OF THE
WORK.”

“FOR JUST AS POETS LOVE THEIR OWN WORKS, AN D

FATHERS THEIR OWN CHI LDRE N , IN THE SAM E WAY
THOSE WHO HAVE CREATED A FORTUN E VALUE TH E IR
MONEY, NOT MERELY FOR ITS USE S, LI KE OTHER
PERSONS, BUT BECAUSE IT IS THEIR OWN PR ODUCTION .
THIS MAKES THEM MOREOVER DISAGRE E AB LE
COMPANIONS, BECAUSE THEY WI LL PR AISE N OTH IN G
BUT RICHES.”

“POETS UTTER GREAT AN D WI SE THI N GS WHICH THE Y

DO NOT THEMSELVES UNDE RSTAN D. ”

“THOSE WHO INTEND ON B E COM IN G GRE AT SHOUL D

LOVE NEITHER THEMSELVES OR THEIR OWN THI N GS,
BUT ONLY WHAT IS JUST, WHE THER IT HAPPE N S TO B E
DONE BY THEMSELVES OR OTHERS. ”

“A GOOD DECISION IS BASE D ON KN OWLE DGE AN D N OT

ON NUMBERS.”
“I HAVE HARDLY EVER KN OWN A M ATHEM ATICI AN W HO
WAS CAPABLE OF REASON IN G. ”

“ALL LEARNING HAS AN E M OTION AL B ASE . ”

“WE OUGHT TO ESTEEM I T OF THE GRE ATE ST

IMPORTANCE THAT THE FICTI ON S WHICH CHILDRE N
FIRST HEAR SHOULD BE ADAPTED IN THE M OST P E RFE CT
MANNER TO THE PROMOTION OF VI RTUE . ”

“HONESTY IS FOR THE MOST PAR, LESS PR OFITAB L E

THAN DISHONESTY.”

“WISDOM ALONE IS THE SCI E N CE OF OTHER SCI E N CE S. ”

“NOTHING IN THE AFFAIR S OF M E N IS WORTHY OF

GREAT ANXIETY.”

“KNOWLEDGE BECOMES E VI L IF THE AIM B E N OT

VIRTUOUS.”
“ALL THINGS WILL BE PR ODUCED IN SUPERIOR
QUANTITY AND QUALITY, AN D WI TH GRE ATE R E ASE ,
WHEN EACH MAN WORKS AT A SIN GLE OCCUPATION , IN
ACCORDANCE WITH HIS N ATURAL GIFTS, AN D AT THE
RIGHT MOMENT, WITHOUT M E DDLI N G WI TH AN Y TH IN G
ELSE.”

“THERE MUST ALWAYS REM AIN SOM E THI N G THAT IS

ANTAGONISTIC TO GOOD. ”

“THESE, THEN, WILL BE SOM E OF THE FE ATURE S OF

DEMOCRACY... IT WILL BE , IN ALL LI KE LI HOOD, AN
AGREEABLE, LAWLESS, PARTI-COLORE D
COMMONWEALTH, DEALIN G WI TH ALL ALI KE ON A
FOOTING OF EQUALITY, WHE THER THEY B E RE AL L Y
EQUAL OR NOT.”

“POETRY COMES NEARER TO VI TAL TRUTH THAN

HISTORY.”

“HE BEST KEEPS FROM AN GE R WHO RE M E M B E RS THAT

GOD IS ALWAYS LOOKIN G UPON HI M . ”

“THEY DO CERTAINLY GI VE VERY STRAN GE , AN D

NEWFANGLED, NAMES TO DISE ASE S. ”
“IT IS CLEAR TO EVERYON E THAT ASTRON OM Y AT AL L
EVENTS COMPELS THE S OUL TO LOOK UPWARDS, AN D
DRAWS IT FROM THE TH IN GS OF THI S WORLD TO THE
OTHER.”

“NO-ONE KNOWS WHETHE R DE ATH, WHICH PEOPL E

FEAR TO BE THE GREATES T E VI L, M AY B E THE GRE ATE ST
GOOD.”

“THERE ARE THREE CLASSE S OF M E N ; LOVERS OF

WISDOM, LOVERS OF HON OR, AN D LOVERS OF GAIN . ”

“MUSIC GIVES A SOUL TO THE UN IVERSE , WI N GS TO TH E

MIND, FLIGHT TO THE IMAGINATI ON , AN D LI FE TO
EVERYTHING...

“NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF IN VEN TION . ”

“THEY DEEM HIM THEIR WORST E N E M Y WHO TE LL S

THEM THE TRUTH.”

“THIS ALONE IS TO BE FEARE D: THE CLOSE D M IN D, TH E

SLEEPING IMAGINATION, THE DE ATH OF SPI RIT. ”
“THE PEOPLE ALWAYS HAVE SOM E CHAM PI ON WHOM
THEY SET OVER THEM AND N URSE IN TO GRE ATN E SS.
THIS AND NO OTHER IS THE ROOT FROM WHICH A
TYRANT SPRINGS; WHEN HE FIRST APPE ARS HE IS A
PROTECTOR.”

“A HOUSE THAT HAS A LI B RARY IN IT HAS A SOUL . ”

“HOMOSEXUALITY, IS REGARDE D AS SHAM E FUL B Y

BARBARIANS AND BY THOSE WHO LI VE UN DE R DE SP OTIC
GOVERNMENTS JUST AS PHILOSOPHY IS RE GARDE D AS
SHAMEFUL BY THEM, BE CAUSE IT IS APPARE N TL Y N OT IN
THE INTEREST OF SUCH R ULERS TO HAVE GRE AT IDE AS
ENGENDERED IN THEIR SUB JE CTS , OR POWERFUL
FRIENDSHIPS OR PASSION ATE LOVE - ALL OF WHICH
HOMOSEXUALITY IS PARTICULARLY APT TO PR ODUCE . ”

“THE WISEST HAVE THE M OST AUTHORITY . ”

“DICTATORSHIP NATURALLY ARISE S OUT OF

DEMOCRACY, AND THE MOST AGGRAVATE D FORM OF
TYRANNY AND SLAVERY OUT OF THE M OST E XTRE M E
LIBERTY.”
“THE MEASURE OF A MAN IS WHAT HE DOE S WI TH
POWER.”

“THE SPIRITUAL EYESIGH T IM PR OVES AS THE PHY SIC AL

EYESIGHT DECLINES.”

“THE MOST VIRTUOUS ARE THOSE WHO CON TE N T

THEMSELVES WITH BEING VI RTUOUS WI THOUT
SEEKING TO APPEAR SO.”

“PLEASURE IS THE GREATE ST IN CEN TIVE TO E VI L . ”

“YOU CANNOT CONCEIVE THE M AN Y WI THOUT THE

ONE.”

“RHETORIC IS THE ART OF RULI N G THE M IN DS OF M E N . ”

“NO WEALTH CAN EVER MAKE A B AD M AN AT PEACE

WITH HIMSELF.”

“OF ALL THE ANIMALS, THE B OY IS THE M OST

UNMANAGEABLE.”
“IGNORANCE OF ALL THIN GS IS AN E VI L N E ITHER
TERRIBLE NOR EXCESSIVE, N OR Y E T THE GRE ATE ST OF
ALL; BUT GREAT CLEVERN E SS AN D M UCH LEARN IN G, IF
THEY ARE ACCOMPANIED B Y A B AD TRAIN IN G, ARE A
MUCH GREATER MISFOR TUN E . ”

“DEMOCRACY IS A CHARMIN G FORM OF GOVERN M E N T,

FULL OF VARIETY AND DISORDE R, AN D DISPEN SIN G A
SORT OF EQUALITY TO EQUALS AN D UN E Q UAL AL IKE . ”

“ARGUMENTS, LIKE MEN, ARE OFTE N PR E TE N DE RS. ”

“OLD AGE HAS A GREAT SE N SE OF CALM AN D FRE E DOM .

WHEN THE PASSIONS HAVE RE LAXE D THEIR HOLD AN D
HAVE ESCAPED, NOT FROM ON E M ASTE R, B UT FROM
MANY.”

“STATES ARE AS MEN, THE Y GROW OUT OF HUM AN

CHARACTERS.”

“WHEN A BEAUTIFUL SOUL HARM ON IZE S WI TH A

BEAUTIFUL FORM, AND THE TWO ARE CAST IN ON E
MOULD, THAT WILL BE THE FAIRE ST OF SIGHTS TO HIM
WHO HAS THE EYE TO CONTE M PLATE THE VI SION . ”
“KNOWLEDGE WHICH IS ACQUIRE D UN DE R
COMPULSION OBTAINS NO HOLD ON THE M IN D. ”

“MUSIC IS TO THE MIND AS AIR IS TO THE B ODY . ”

“JUSTICE IN THE LIFE AND CON DUCT OF THE STATE IS

POSSIBLE ONLY AS FIRST IT RE SIDE S IN THE HEARTS
AND SOULS OF THE CITI ZE N S. ”

“THERE ARE FEW PEOPLE SO STUB B ORN IN THEIR

ATHEISM WHO WHEN DAN GE R IS PR E SSIN G IN W IL L
NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE DIVI N E POWER. ”

“THEN THE LOVER, WHO IS TRUE AN D N O COUN TE RFE IT,

MUST OF NECESSITY BE LOVED B Y HI S LOVE. ”

“MUSIC IS THE MOVEME N T OF SOUN D TO RE ACH THE

SOUL FOR THE EDUCATION OF ITS VI RTUE . ”

“WE OUGHT TO FLY AWAY FROM E ARTH TO HEAVE N AS

QUICKLY AS WE CAN; AN D TO FLY AWAY IS TO B E COM E
LIKE GOD, AS FAR AS THIS IS POSSIB LE; AN D TO B E COM E
LIKE HIM IS TO BECOME HOLY, JUST, AN D WI SE . ”
“HE WHO IS OF A CALM AN D HAPPY N ATURE WI L L
HARDLY FEEL THE PRESSURE OF AGE , B UT TO HI M WHO
IS OF AN OPPOSITE DISP OSITION Y OUTH AN D AGE ARE
EQUALLY A BURDEN.”

“THE SOUL IS PARTLY IN E TE RN ITY AN D PARTLY IN

TIME.”

“INTEGRITY IS YOUR DESTIN Y - IT IS THE LI GHT THAT

GUIDES YOUR WAY.”

“NO ONE EVER TEACHES WELL WHO WAN TS TO TE ACH,

OR GOVERNS WELL WHO WAN TS TO GOVERN . ”
“THE SOULS OF PEOPLE, ON THEIR WAY TO E ARTH-L IFE ,
PASS THROUGH A ROOM FULL OF LI GHTS ; E ACH TAKE S A
TAPER - OFTEN ONLY A S PARK - TO GUIDE IT IN TH E DIM
COUNTRY OF THIS WORLD. B UT SOM E SOULS , B Y RARE
FORTUNE, ARE DETAINE D LON GE R - HAVE TIM E TO
GRASP A HANDFUL OF TAPERS, WHICH THEY WEAV E
INTO A TORCH. THESE ARE THE TORCH-B E ARE RS OF
HUMANITY - ITS POETS, SE E RS AN D SAIN TS, WHO LE AD
AND LIFT THE RACE OUT OF DARKN E SS, TOWARD THE
LIGHT. THEY ARE THE LAW-GIVERS AN D SAVI ORS, TH E
LIGHT-BRINGERS, WAY-S HOWERS AN D TRUTH- TE L L E RS,
AND WITHOUT THEM, HUM AN ITY WOULD LOSE ITS WAY
IN THE DARK.”

“WE ARE BOUND TO OUR B ODIE S LI KE AN OY STE R IS TO

ITS SHELL.”

“SCIENCE IS NOTHING BUT PERCEPTI ON . ”

“LET US DESCRIBE THE EDUCATION OF OUR M E N . W HAT

THEN IS THE EDUCATION TO B E ? PERHAPS WE COUL D
HARDLY FIND BETTER THAN THAT WHI CH THE
EXPERIENCE OF THE PAST HAS ALR E ADY DISCOV E RE D,
WHICH CONSISTS, I BELI E VE, IN GY M N ASTICS , FOR THE
BODY, AND MUSIC FOR THE M IN D. ”
“EXCESS GENERALLY CAUSE S RE ACTI ON , AN D PR ODUCE S
A CHANGE IN THE OPPOSITE DIRE CTI ON , WHE THE R IT
BE IN THE SEASONS, OR I N IN DIVI DUALS , OR IN
GOVERNMENTS.”

“LOVE IS THE JOY OF THE GOOD, THE WON DE R OF TH E

WISE, THE AMAZEMENT OF THE GODS. ”

“THE EXCESSIVE INCREASE OF AN Y THI N G CAUSE S A

REACTION IN THE OPPOSITE DIRE CTI ON . ”

“LET NOBODY SPEAK MIS CHIE F OF AN Y B ODY . ”

“ANY CITY HOWEVER SMALL, IS IN FACT DIVI DE D IN TO

TWO, ONE THE CITY OF THE POOR, THE OTHER OF THE
RICH. THESE ARE AT WAR WI TH ON E AN OTHER. ”
“THOSE WRETCHES WHO N E VER HAVE E XPERIE N CE D
THE SWEETS OF WISDOM AN D VI RTUE , B UT SPEN D ALL
THEIR TIME IN REVELS AN D DE B AUCHE S, SIN K
DOWNWARD DAY AFTER DAY , AN D M AKE THEIR WHOL E
LIFE ONE CONTINUED SE RIE S OF E RRORS. THEY TASTE
NO REAL OR SUBSTANTIAL PLE ASURE ; B UT, RE SE M B LIN G
SO MANY BRUTES, WITH E Y E S ALWAY S FIXE D ON THE
EARTH, AND INTENT UPON THEIR LOADE N TAB LES, TH E Y
PAMPER THEMSELVES IN LUXURY AN D E XCESS. ”

“WHATEVER DECEIVES M E N SE E M S TO PR ODUCE A

MAGICAL ENCHANTMENT. ”

“OUR OBJECT IN THE CON STRUCTI ON OF THE STATE IS

THE GREATEST HAPPINE SS OF THE WHOLE, AN D N OT
THAT OF ANY ONE CLASS . ”

“BEAUTY OF STYLE AND HARM ON Y AN D GRACE AN D

GOOD RHYTHM DEPENDS ON SIM PLICI TY . ”

“THE HEAVIEST PENALTY FOR DE CI DIN G TO E N GAGE IN

POLITICS IS TO BE RULED B Y SOM E ON E IN FE RIOR TO
YOURSELF.”
“PHILOSOPHY IS AN ELEGAN T THI N G IF AN Y ON E
MODESTLY MEDDLES WI TH IT; B UT IF THEY ARE
CONVERSANT WITH IT M ORE THAN IS B E COM IN G, IT
CORRUPTS THEM.”

“THE DEMOCRATIC YOUTH LI VES ALON G DAY B Y DAY ,

GRATIFYING THE DESIRE THAT OCCURS TO HI M , AT ON E
TIME DRINKING AND LIS TE N IN G TO THE FLUTE , AT
ANOTHER DOWNING WATER AN D RE DUCI N G, N OW
PRACTICING GYMNASTICS , AN D AGAIN IDLI N G AN D
NEGLECTING EVERYTHING; AN D SOM E TIM E S SPEN DIN G
HIS TIME AS THOUGH HE WERE OCCUPI E D IN
PHILOSOPHY.”

“IF THE STUDY OF ALL TH E SE SCI E N CES WHICH WE

HAVE ENUMERATED, SH OULD E VER B RIN G US TO TH E IR
MUTUAL ASSOCIATION AN D RE LATION SHI P, AN D TE ACH
US THE NATURE OF THE TIE S WHICH B IN D THEM
TOGETHER, I BELIEVE THAT THE DILI GE N T TRE ATM E N T
OF THEM WILL FORWARD THE OB JE CTS WHICH W E HAV E
IN VIEW, AND THAT THE LAB OR, WHICH OTHERW ISE
WOULD BE FRUITLESS, WILL B E WELL B E STOWED. ”

“NO TRACE OF SLAVERY OUGHT TO M IX WI TH TH E

STUDIES OF THE FREEBORN M AN . N O STUDY , PURSUE D
UNDER COMPULSION, REM AIN S ROOTE D IN THE
MEMORY.”
“I EXHORT YOU ALSO TO TAKE PART IN THE GRE AT
COMBAT, WHICH IS THE COM B AT OF LI FE , AN D GRE ATE R
THAN EVERY OTHER EARTHLY CON FLI CT.”

“TO THE RULERS OF THE STATE THEN , IF TO AN Y , IT

BELONGS OF RIGHT TO USE FALS E HOOD, TO DE C E IV E
EITHER ENEMIES OR THEIR OWN CI TIZE N S, FOR THE
GOOD OF THE STATE: AND N O ON E E LS E M AY M E DDL E
WITH THIS PRIVILEGE.”

“TOO MUCH ATTENTION TO HEALTH IS A HI N DRAN C E TO

LEARNING, TO INVENTION , AN D TO STUDIE S OF AN Y
KIND, FOR WE ARE ALWAY S FE E LI N G SUSPI CI OUS
SHOOTINGS AND SWIMMIN GS IN OUR HEADS, AN D W E
ARE PRONE TO BLAME STUDIE S FROM THEM . ”

“LET PARENTS BEQUEATH TO THEIR CHILDRE N N OT

RICHES, BUT THE SPIRIT OF RE VERE N CE. ”

“THE MADNESS OF LOVE IS THE GRE ATE ST OF HEAV E N ' S

BLESSINGS.”

“WHEN THE MIND IS THIN KIN G IT IS TALKIN G TO

ITSELF.”
“IS IT NOT ALSO TRUE THAT N O PHY SICI AN , IN SO FAR AS
HE IS A PHYSICIAN, CONSIDE RS OR E N JOIN S WHAT IS
FOR THE PHYSICIAN' S INTE RE ST, B UT THAT ALL SE E K
THE GOOD OF THEIR PATIE N TS? FOR WE HAVE AGRE E D
THAT A PHYSICIAN STRICTLY SO CALLE D, IS A RUL E R OF
BODIES, AND NOT A MAKE R OF M ON E Y , HAVE WE N OT? ”

“WHEN MEN SPEAK ILL OF THEE , LI VE SO AS N OB ODY

MAY BELIEVE THEM.”

“WEALTH IS WELL KNOWN TO B E A GRE AT COM FORTE R. ”

“HEREDITARY HONORS AR E A N OB LE AN D A SPLE N DID

TREASURE TO DESCENDAN TS. ”
 SOCRATES

S ocrates was, and might still be one of the most influential

philosophers in western society, as the first moral philosopher of
the western ethical tradition of thought.
Socrates was born in Athens in 469 BC. During this time, many changes
were occurring including a shift to a more democratic system. Before
Socrates would go on to become a philosopher he started off working as a
shoe welter and also served in the military as a soldier.
Socrates would famously travel various regions, speaking up in
conversations and confronting people about the beliefs which they had held
up to this point, because it’s important to challenge oneself and to
understand that we know nothing at all.
Socrates was a very influential teacher with many young pupils, but was
eventually accused of corrupting the youths’ minds in Athens and would be
sentenced to death. As he died, he used the moment as a final lesson for his
students and followers to show them they must always be calm in the face
of adversity and keep moving forward. To die is for the soul to be free.

The Socratic Method

Due to his special way of drawing conversation and evaluating one's

beliefs, Socrates was able to form something known as the Socratic method.
It’s still used today, and is a form of co-operative dialogue between
individuals, based on asking and answering questions to stimulate critical
thinking and draw out ideas and underlying presuppositions. Socrates
would use this method in order to challenge politicians about their beliefs
and would at the end often leave them looking stupid and lost for words. It’s
more than likely that this played a part in them sentencing him to death.
 We Know Nothing

Socrates taught that the only true knowledge was acknowledgement of the
fact we don’t know anything. Although it may seem quite harsh when taken
at face value, his intention here was that it’s rare that people are aware that
we can’t be sure of anything, even existence (a philosophical problem
which was later answered by Descartes). All aspects of reality must be
questioned.

Concept of the Self

Socrates believed that soul and self simply means a thinking willing
subject. Ultimate wisdom comes from knowing oneself. This is the essence
of what human beings are and should be. When we take the time to
repeatedly look inward at ourselves asking what we want, who we are and
all the other important questions, we will eventually get to an answer and
find ourselves. Socrates believed a good life can be reached by training our
souls in the acquisition of knowledge, wisdom and virtue.

5 Facts About Socrates

1. Socrates believed that he knew nothing.

2. Socrates served in the military during the Pelopponesian war.
3. Socrates, although married, was thought of at the time to be
bisexual.
4. The poison given to Socrates was known as Hemlock.
5. He learned masonry from his father at a young age.
83 SOCRATES QUOTES

“EMPLOY YOUR TIME IN IM PR OVI N G Y OURSE LF B Y

OTHER MEN’ S WRITINGS SO THAT Y OU SHALL COM E
EASILY BY WHAT OTHERS HAVE LAB OURE D HARD FOR. ”

“WELL I AM CERTAINLY WISE R THAN THI S M AN . IT IS

ONLY TOO LIKELY THAT NE ITHER OF US HAS AN Y
KNOWLEDGE TO BOAST OF; B UT HE THI N KS THAT HE
KNOWS SOMETHING WH ICH HE DOE S N OT KN OW,
WHEREAS I AM QUITE CON SCI OUS OF M Y IGN ORAN C E .
AT ANY RATE IT SEEMS THAT I AM WI SE R THAN HE IS TO
THIS SMALL EXTENT, THAT I DO N OT THI N K THAT I
KNOW WHAT I DO NOT KN OW.”

“THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM IS A DE FIN ITION OF

TERMS. ”

“WHAT A LOT OF THINGS THERE ARE THAT A M AN CAN

DO WITHOUT.”

“I CANNOT TEACH ANYBODY AN Y THI N G. I CAN ON L Y

MAKE THEM THINK.”
“SLANDERERS DO NOT HURT M E B E CAUSE THEY DO N OT
HIT ME.”

“I WAS AFRAID THAT BY OB SE RVI N G OB JE CTS WI TH M Y

EYES AND TRYING TO COM PR E HEN D THEM WI TH E AC H
OF MY OTHER SENSES I M IGHT B LI N D M Y SOUL
ALTOGETHER.”

“HE WHO IS NOT CONTEN T WI TH WHAT HE HAS, W OUL D

NOT BE CONTENT WITH WHAT HE WOULD LI KE TO
HAVE.”

“IF A MAN IS PROUD OF HI S WEALTH, HE SHOULD N OT

BE PRAISED UNTIL IT IS KN OWN HOW HE E M PLOY S IT. ”

“WHERE THERE IS REVER E N CE THERE IS FE AR, B UT

THERE IS NOT REVERENCE E VERY WHE RE THAT THE RE IS
FEAR, BECAUSE FEAR PRE SUM AB LY HAS A WI DE R
EXTENSION THAN REVER E N CE. ”

“THEY ARE NOT ONLY IDLE WHO DO N OTHI N G, B UT TH E Y

ARE IDLE ALSO WHO MIGHT B E B E TTE R E M PLOY E D. ”
“OUR PRAYERS SHOULD BE FOR B LESSIN GS IN GE N E RAL ,
FOR GOD KNOWS BEST WHAT IS GOOD FOR US. ”

“I ONLY WISH THAT ORDI N ARY PEOPLE HAD AN

UNLIMITED CAPACITY FOR DOIN G HARM ; THEN TH E Y
MIGHT HAVE AN UNLIMI TE D POWER FOR DOIN G GOOD. ”

“I WAS REALLY TOO HONE ST A M AN TO B E A POLI TICIAN

AND LIVE.”

“ORDINARY PEOPLE SEEM N OT TO RE ALI SE THAT TH OSE

WHO REALLY APPLY THE M SE LVE S IN THE RIGHT WAY TO
PHILOSOPHY ARE DIRECTLY AN D OF THEIR OWN
ACCORD PREPARING THEM SE LVE S FOR DY IN G AN D
DEATH.”

“SEE ONE PROMONTORY, ON E M OUN TAIN , ON E SE A, ON E

RIVER AND SEE ALL.”

“A SYSTEM OF MORALITY WHICH IS B ASE D ON RE LATIVE

EMOTIONAL VALUES IS A M E RE ILLUSION , A
THOROUGHLY VULGAR CON CEPTI ON WHICH HAS
NOTHING SOUND IN IT AND N OTHI N G TRUE . ”
“BY ALL MEANS MARRY. IF Y OU GE T A GOOD WI FE Y OU
WILL BECOME HAPPY, AND IF Y OU GE T A B AD ON E Y OU
WILL BECOME A PHILOSOPHE R. ”

“WHEN DESIRE, HAVING RE JE CTED RE ASON AN D

OVERPOWERED JUDGMEN T WHICH LEADS TO RIGH T, IS
SET IN THE DIRECTION OF THE PLE ASURE WHICH
BEAUTY CAN INSPIRE, AN D WHE N AGAIN UN DE R THE
INFLUENCE OF ITS KINDRE D DE SIRE S IT IS M OV E D WITH
VIOLENT MOTION TOWARDS THE B E AUTY OF CORP ORE AL
FORMS, IT ACQUIRES A S URN AM E FROM THI S VERY
VIOLENT MOTION, AND IS CALLE D LOVE. ”

“I PRAY TO THE GODS, THAT I M AY B E B E AUTIFUL

WITHIN.”

“NATURE HAS GIVEN US TWO E ARS, TWO E Y E S, AN D B UT

ONE TONGUE TO THE END THAT WE SHOULD HEAR AN D
SEE MORE THAN WE SPEAK. ”

“IN CHILDHOOD BE MODE ST, IN Y OUTH TE M PERATE , IN

ADULTHOOD JUST, AND I N OLD AGE PR UDE N T. ”
“WE ARE IN FACT CONVINCED THAT IF WE ARE E V E R TO
HAVE PURE KNOWLEDGE OF AN Y THI N G, WE M UST GE T
RID OF THE BODY AND CON TE M PLATE THI N GS B Y
THEMSELVES WITH THE SOUL B Y ITSE LF. IT SE E M S, TO
JUDGE FROM THE ARGUM E N T, THAT THE WI SDOM
WHICH WE DESIRE AND UPON WHICH WE PR OFE SS TO
HAVE SET OUR HEARTS WILL B E ATTAIN AB LE ON LY
WHEN WE ARE DEAD AND N OT IN OUR LI FE TIM E . ”

“NOTHING IS TO BE PREFERRE D B E FORE JUSTICE. ”

“LET HIM THAT WOULD MOVE THE WORLD, FIRST M OV E

HIMSELF.”

“THE COMIC AND THE TRAGIC LI E IN SE PARAB LY CL OSE ,

LIKE LIGHT AND SHADOW. ”

“I AM NOT AN ATHENIAN , N OR A GRE E K, B UT A C ITIZE N

OF THE WORLD.”
“WARS AND REVOLUTION S AN D B ATTLES ARE DUE
SIMPLY AND SOLELY TO THE B ODY AN D ITS DE SIRE S. AL L
WARS ARE UNDERTAKEN FOR THE ACQUISITION OF
WEALTH; AND THE REASON WHY WE HAVE TO ACQ UIRE
WEALTH IS THE BODY, B E CAUSE WE ARE SLAVES IN ITS
SERVICE.”

“NO MAN UNDERTAKES A TRADE HE HAS N OT LEARN E D,

EVEN THE MEANEST; YET E VERY ON E THI N KS HI M SE LF
SUFFICIENTLY QUALIFIED FOR THE HARDE ST OF AL L
TRADES, THAT OF GOVER N M E N T. ”

“CALL NO MAN UNHAPPY UN TIL HE IS M ARRIE D. ”

“HAPPINESS IS UNREPENTAN T PLE ASURE . ”

“THE ONLY GOOD IS KNOWLE DGE AN D THE ON LY E V IL IS

IGNORANCE.”

“THE NEAREST WAY TO GLORY IS TO STRIVE TO B E W HAT

YOU WISH TO BE THOUGHT TO B E . ”

“BE SLOW TO FALL INTO FR IE N DSHI P; B UT WHE N TH OU

ART IN, CONTINUE FIRM AN D CON STAN T. ”
“WORTHLESS PEOPLE LOVE ON LY TO E AT AN D DRIN K;
PEOPLE OF WORTH EAT AN D DRIN K ON LY TO LI V E . ”

“ONCE MADE EQUAL TO M AN , WOM AN B E COM E S HIS

SUPERIOR.”

“FAME IS THE PERFUME OF HEROIC DE E DS. ”

“THE ENVIOUS PERSON GR OWS LEAN WI TH THE FATN E SS

OF THEIR NEIGHBOUR.”

“AN EDUCATION OBTAINED WI TH M ON E Y IS WORSE

THAN NO EDUCATION AT ALL. ”
“WHOM DO I CALL EDUCATE D? FIRST, THOSE WHO
MANAGE WELL THE CIRC UM STAN CES THEY E N COUN TE R
DAY BY DAY. NEXT, THOSE WHO ARE DE CEN T AN D
HONOURABLE IN THEIR IN TE RCOURSE WI TH ALL M E N ,
BEARING EASILY AND GOOD N ATURE DLY WHAT IS
OFFENSIVE IN OTHERS AN D B E IN G AS AGRE E AB L E AN D
REASONABLE TO THEIR ASSOCI ATE S AS IS HUM AN L Y
POSSIBLE TO BE… THOSE WHO HOLD THEIR PLE ASURE S
ALWAYS UNDER CONTROL AN D ARE N OT ULTI M ATE L Y
OVERCOME BY THEIR MISFORTUN E S… THOSE WHO ARE
NOT SPOILED BY THEIR S UCCE SSE S, WHO DO N OT
DESERT THEIR TRUE SELVE S B UT HOLD THEIR GROUN D
STEADFASTLY AS WISE AN D SOB E R M IN DE D M E N . ”

“FALSE WORDS ARE NOT ON LY E VI L IN THEM SE L VE S, B UT

THEY INFECT THE SOUL WI TH E VI L.”

“THE FEWER OUR WANTS THE M ORE WE RE SE M B LE TH E

GODS.”

“LIFE CONTAINS BUT TWO TRAGE DIE S. ON E IS N OT TO

GET YOUR HEART’ S DESIRE ; THE OTHER IS TO GE T IT. ”
“WHENEVER, THEREFORE, PEOPLE ARE DE CEIVED AN D
FORM OPINIONS WIDE OF THE TRUTH, IT IS CLE AR TH AT
THE ERROR HAS SLID INTO THEIR M IN DS THR OUGH THE
MEDIUM OF CERTAIN RESE M B LAN CES TO THAT TRUTH. ”

“IF I TELL YOU THAT I WOULD B E DISOB E Y IN G TH E GOD

AND ON THAT ACCOUNT IT IS IM POSSIB LE FOR M E TO
KEEP QUIET, YOU WON’ T B E PERSUADE D B Y M E , TAKIN G
IT THAT I AM IONISING. AN D IF I TE LL Y OU THAT IT IS
THE GREATEST GOOD FOR A HUM AN B E IN G TO HAV E
DISCUSSIONS EVERY DAY AB OUT VI RTUE AN D TH E
OTHER THINGS YOU HEAR M E TALKIN G AB OUT,
EXAMINING MYSELF AND OTHERS, AN D THAT TH E
UNEXAMINED LIFE IS NOT LI VEAB LE FOR A HUM AN
BEING, YOU WILL BE EVEN LESS PERSUADE D. ”

“THE HOUR OF DEPARTURE HAS ARRIVED AN D WE GO

OUR WAYS; I TO DIE, AND Y OU TO LI VE. WHICH IS
BETTER? ONLY GOD KNOWS . ”
“TO FEAR DEATH, MY FRIEN DS, IS ON LY TO THI N K
OURSELVES WISE, WITHOUT B E IN G WI SE : FOR IT IS TO
THINK THAT WE KNOW WHAT WE DO N OT KN OW . FOR
ANYTHING THAT MEN CAN TE LL, DE ATH M AY B E TH E
GREATEST GOOD THAT CAN HAPPE N TO THEM : B UT THE Y
FEAR IT AS IF THEY KNEW Q UITE WELL THAT IT W AS TH E
GREATEST OF EVILS. AND WHAT IS THI S B UT THAT
SHAMEFUL IGNORANCE OF THI N KIN G THAT WE KN OW
WHAT WE DO NOT KNOW? ”

“THINK NOT THOSE FAITHFUL WHO PR AISE ALL TH Y

WORDS AND ACTIONS, BUT THOSE WHO KIN DLY
REPROVE THY FAULTS.”

“GIVE ME BEAUTY IN THE IN WARD SOUL; M AY THE

OUTWARD AND THE INWARD M AN B E AT ON E . ”

“HE IS RICH WHO IS CON TE N T WI TH THE LEAST; FOR

CONTENTMENT IS THE WE ALTH OF N ATURE . ”

“REMEMBER, NO HUMAN CON DITION IS E VER

PERMANENT. THEN YOU WI LL N OT B E OVERJOY E D IN
GOOD FORTUNE NOR TOO SCORN FUL IN M ISFORTUN E . ”

“BEAUTY IS A SHORT-LIVED TY RAN N Y . ”

“BE KIND, FOR EVERYONE Y OU M E E T IS FIGHTI N G A
HARD BATTLE.”

“EVERY ACTION HAS ITS PLE ASURE S AN D ITS PR ICE . ”

“REMEMBER WHAT IS UNBE COM IN G TO DO IS ALSO

UNBECOMING TO SPEAK OF. ”

“BE AS YOU WISH TO SEEM . ”

“DO NOT DO TO OTHERS WHAT AN GE RS Y OU IF DON E TO

YOU BY OTHERS.”

“ARE YOU NOT ASHAMED OF HEAPI N G UP THE GRE ATE ST

AMOUNT OF MONEY AND HON OUR AN D RE PUTATION ,
AND CARING SO LITTLE AB OUT WI SDOM AN D TRUTH AN D
THE GREATEST IMPROVEM E N T OF THE SOUL?”

“REMEMBER THAT THERE IS N OTHI N G STAB LE IN

HUMAN AFFAIRS; THEREFORE AVOID UN DUE E LATION IN
PROSPERITY, OR UNDUE DE PR E SSION IN ADVERSITY . ”
“WE CANNOT LIVE BETTER THAN IN SE E KIN G TO
BECOME BETTER.”

“SMART PEOPLE LEARN FROM E VERY THI N G AN D

EVERYONE, AVERAGE PEOPLE FROM THEIR
EXPERIENCES, STUPID P E OPLE ALR E ADY HAVE AL L THE
ANSWERS.”

“THE HIGHEST REALMS OF THOUGHT ARE IM POSSIB LE

TO REACH WITHOUT FIRS T ATTAIN IN G AN
UNDERSTANDING OF COMPASSION . ”

“THE EASIEST AND NOBLEST WAY IS N OT TO B E

CRUSHING OTHERS, BUT TO B E IM PR OVI N G
YOURSELVES.”

“WHEN YOU WANT WISDOM AN D IN SIGHT AS B ADLY AS

YOU WANT TO BREATHE, IT IS THEN Y OU SHALL H AV E
IT.”

“THROUGH YOUR RAGS I SE E Y OUR VAN ITY . ”

“EDUCATION IS THE KINDLI N G OF A FLAM E , N OT THE

FILLING OF A VESSEL.”
“THE SHORTEST AND SUR E ST WAY TO LI VE WI TH
HONOUR IN THE WORLD, IS TO B E IN RE ALI TY WHAT WE
WOULD APPEAR TO BE; AND IF WE OB SE RVE, WE SHALL
FIND THAT ALL HUMAN VIRTUE S IN CR E ASE AN D
STRENGTHEN THEMSELVES B Y THE PR ACTI CE OF TH E M . ”

“NO MAN HAS THE RIGHT TO B E AN AM ATE UR IN THE

MATTER OF PHYSICAL TR AIN IN G. IT IS A SHAM E FOR A
MAN TO GROW OLD WITHOUT SE E IN G THE B E AUTY AN D
STRENGTH OF WHICH HI S B ODY IS CAPAB LE. ”

“I KNOW NOTHING EXCEPT THE FACT OF M Y

IGNORANCE.”

“IF YOU DON’ T GET WHAT Y OU WAN T, Y OU SUFFE R; IF

YOU GET WHAT YOU DON’ T WAN T, Y OU SUFFE R; E V E N
WHEN YOU GET EXACTLY WHAT Y OU WAN T, Y OU STILL
SUFFER BECAUSE YOU CAN ’ T HOLD ON TO IT FORE V E R.
YOUR MIND IS YOUR PREDICAM E N T. IT WAN TS TO B E
FREE OF CHANGE. FREE OF PAIN , FRE E OF THE
OBLIGATIONS OF LIFE AND DE ATH. B UT CHAN GE IS LAW
AND NO AMOUNT OF PRETE N DIN G WI LL ALTER TH AT
REALITY.”

“THERE ARE TWO KINDS OF DISE ASE OF THE SOUL , V ICE

AND IGNORANCE.”
“SOMETIMES YOU PUT WALLS UP N OT TO KE E P P E OPL E
OUT, BUT TO SEE WHO CARE S E N OUGH TO B RE AK THE M
DOWN.”

“STRONG MINDS DISCUS S IDE AS, AVERAGE M IN DS

DISCUSS EVENTS, WEAK M IN DS DISCUSS PEOPLE . ”

“THE SECRET OF HAPPINE SS, Y OU SE E , IS N OT FOUN D IN

SEEKING MORE, BUT IN DE VELOPI N G THE CAPAC ITY TO
ENJOY LESS.”

“FALLING DOWN IS NOT A FAILURE . FAILURE COM E S

WHEN YOU STAY WHERE Y OU HAVE FALLE N . ”

“PREFER KNOWLEDGE TO WEALTH, FOR THE ON E IS

TRANSITORY, THE OTHER PERPETUAL.”

“GET NOT YOUR FRIENDS B Y COM PLIM E N TS, B UT B Y

GIVING THEM SENSIBLE TOKE N S OF Y OUR LOVE. ”

“IF YOU WANT TO BE A GOOD SADDLER, SADDLE TH E

WORST HORSE; FOR IF YOU CAN TAM E ON E , Y OU CAN
TAME ALL.”
“ONE SHOULD NEVER DO WR ON G IN RE TURN , N OR
MISTREAT ANY MAN, NO M ATTE R HOW ON E HAS B E E N
MISTREATED BY HIM.”

“THE GREATEST WAY TO LIVE WI TH HON OUR IN THIS

WORLD IS TO BE WHAT WE PR E TE N D TO B E . ”

“IF ALL OUR MISFORTUNE S WERE LAID IN ON E C OM M ON

HEAP WHENCE EVERYON E M UST TAKE AN E Q UAL
PORTION, MOST PEOPLE WOULD B E CON TE N T TO TAKE
THEIR OWN AND DEPART. ”

“THE GREATEST BLESSING GRAN TE D TO M AN KIN D

COMES BY WAY OF MADNE SS, WHICH IS A DIVI N E GIFT. ”

“THE YEARS WRINKLE OUR SKIN , B UT LACK OF

ENTHUSIASM WRINKLES OUR SOUL.”
 ARISTOTLE

A ristotle was born in Macedonia, circa 384 BC. Aristotle was born
into a relatively wealthy family, with his father being the doctor of
the city. He was a direct student of Plato and just like his teacher,
he would go on to become one of the most influential philosophers of his
time. So much so, that he had nicknames like ‘The Master’ and ‘The
Philosopher’. Aristotle joined Plato when he was just 17. He famously
taught Alexander the Great, one of the most famous conquerors of all time.
Aristotle also founded a secondary school of his own, which was called the
Peripatetic school.
Aristotle was a very curious man and always seemed to have a fascination
with the way things work. He loved to ask the questions of how and why.
How do things operate? Why is there order? How does the sun rise and fall
seemingly everyday without signs of waver? What makes a society function
cohesively together? Aristotle’s views and outlook on the world would be
passed on to even as far as medieval scholars and their works.
In Aristotle's time he managed to accumulate an impressive portfolio, with
his most famous bodies of work including Nicomachean Ethics,
Metaphysics and The Organon.

Virtues

Aristotle strongly believed that there are certain virtues that make a man
good.
Courage, temperance, magnificence, magnanimity, pride, patience,
truthfulness, wittiness, friendliness and modesty are the virtues seen as the
‘golden mean’.
Aristotle taught that we should take the time to evaluate and analyse these
threats; in doing so, we can begin to understand how we can incorporate
these characteristics onto ourselves.
Aristotle also strongly believed that a good conversation is an integral part
of a good life. With each virtue Aristotle believed that on either end there
are two opposing extremes of the characteristics. To give you an example of
what he meant, on one extreme in the virtue of wittiness, there is boredom,
where someone lacks communication skills and simply isn't a joy to be
around. On the other extreme, there is a buffoon who will do anything at the
cost of a laugh or to get the attention of others. This can come even at the
expensive of damaged integrity.
Aristotle understood that although the virtues we have can't be instantly
changed with the flick of a finger, he appreciated the fact that virtues can be
trained and formed as a habit. With good repeated practice, good virtues can
become habitual acts.

The Purpose of Tragedy

Aristotle was fascinated by the concept of tragedy and why it's so important
in our lives and culture. Aristotle believed that tragedy teaches us
something very important, it reminds us that very bad things can happen to
very good people at any point in life. You could have the perfect student,
partner, soldier who lived a good moral life but with one simple mistake
their lives could alter and change for the worse, forever. Therefore, we must
show great compassion for people who have done wrong in their past and
now find themselves in a struggling situation. We should show pity for our
neighbours and people in our society who have been cast aside for mistakes
they committed.

The Importance of Friends

Aristotle divided friends into three different types.

Social friends: these are the people one might meet for leisurely activities
like drinking. Strategic friends: these are people who can be seen as
acquaintances, for example some political figures.
Lastly, we have real friends. Aristotle believed that to be a real friend with
someone who cares for you just as much as you care for yourself. They feel
your pain, happiness, joy and sorrow. You are attached in a special way.
You are able to freely and comfortably share your most intimate parts with
each other. Your minds become one. You grow and progress with each other
and you challenge each others’ beliefs and behaviours. Aristotle believed
that having a true friend in this world is one of life's greatest gifts.

5 Facts About Aristotle

1. Aristotle did not believe in Plato's theory of the forms, but rather
believed in empiricism.
2. Aristotle loved to walk and converse; he would often have his
students go with him for a walk round the lyceum.
3. To honour his son, he named one of his books ‘Nicomachean
Ethics’ after his son, Nicomachus.
4. Aristotle hated public debates and much preferred a close
encounter with people.
5. After the death of his father Nicomachus, Proxenus – husband of
Aristotle's sister Arimneste, became the guardian of young
Aristotle.
109 ARISTOTLE QUOTES

“HAPPINESS IS ACTIVITY.”

“THE DIFFERENCE BETWEE N A LEARN E D M AN AN D AN

IGNORANT ONE IS THE SAM E AS THAT B E TWEE N A
LIVING MAN AND A CORPSE . ”

“POETRY DEMANDS A MAN WI TH A SPECI AL GIFT FOR IT,

OR ELSE ONE WITH A TOUCH OF M ADN E SS IN HI M . ”

“ALL HUMAN ACTIONS HAVE ON E OR M ORE OF TH E SE

SEVEN CAUSES: CHANCE, N ATURE , COM PULS ION S,
HABIT, REASON, PASSION, DE SIRE . ”

“A FRIEND TO ALL IS A FRI E N D TO N ON E . ”

“CHARACTER MAY ALMOST B E CALLE D THE M OST

EFFECTIVE MEANS OF PERSUASION . ”
“IT IS WELL TO BE UP BEFORE DAY B RE AK, FOR SUCH
HABITS CONTRIBUTE TO HEALTH, WEALTH, AN D
WISDOM.”

“THROUGH DISCIPLINE COM E S FRE E DOM . ”

“TO BE CONSCIOUS THAT WE ARE PERCEIVI N G OR

THINKING IS TO BE CONSCI OUS OF OUR OWN
EXISTENCE.”

“MEN CREATE GODS AFTE R THEIR OWN IM AGE , N OT

ONLY WITH REGARD TO THEIR FORM B UT WI TH RE GARD
TO THEIR MODE OF LIFE. ”

“ANYBODY CAN BECOME AN GRY – THAT IS E ASY , B UT TO

BE ANGRY WITH THE RIGHT PERSON AN D TO THE RIGH T
DEGREE AND AT THE RIGHT TIM E AN D FOR THE RIGHT
PURPOSE, AND IN THE R IGHT WAY – THAT IS N OT
WITHIN EVERYBODY’ S P OWER AN D IS N OT E ASY . ”

“THE HAPPY LIFE IS REGARDE D AS A LI FE IN

CONFORMITY WITH VIRTUE . IT IS A LI FE WHICH
INVOLVES EFFORT AND IS N OT SPEN T IN AM USE M E N T. ”
“EXCELLENCE IS AN ART WON B Y TRAIN IN G AN D
HABITUATION. WE DO NOT ACT RIGHTLY B E CAUSE WE
HAVE VIRTUE OR EXCELLEN CE, B UT WE RATHER H AV E
THOSE BECAUSE WE HAVE ACTED RIGHTLY . WE ARE
WHAT WE REPEATEDLY DO. E XCELLE N CE, THEN , IS N OT
AN ACT BUT A HABIT.”

“ALL HUMAN BEINGS, BY N ATURE , DE SIRE TO KN OW. ”

“COURAGE IS THE FIRST OF HUM AN Q UALI TIE S B E C AUSE

IT IS THE QUALITY WHICH GUARAN TE E S THE OTH E RS. ”

“A LIKELY IMPOSSIBILITY IS ALWAY S PR E FE RAB LE TO AN

UNCONVINCING POSSIB ILI TY . ”

“CRITICISM IS SOMETHI N G WE CAN AVOID E ASILY B Y

SAYING NOTHING, DOING N OTHI N G, AN D B E IN G
NOTHING.”

“DEMOCRACY IS WHEN THE IN DIGE N T, AN D N OT THE

MEN OF PROPERTY, ARE THE RULERS. ”

“THE ANTIDOTE FOR FIFTY E N E M IE S IS ON E FRIE N D. ”

“DIGNITY DOES NOT CONSIST IN POSSE SSIN G HON OURS,
BUT IN DESERVING THEM . ”

“EACH MAN JUDGES WELL THE THI N GS HE KN OW S. ”

“TO LOVE SOMEONE IS TO IDE N TIFY WI TH THEM . ”

“WE CANNOT LEARN WITHOUT PAIN . ”

“EDUCATING THE MIND WI THOUT E DUCATIN G TH E

HEART IS NO EDUCATION AT ALL. ”

“THE LEAST INITIAL DEVIATION FROM THE TRUTH IS

MULTIPLIED LATER A THOUSAN D FOLD. ”

“THE MOST PERFECT POLITICAL COM M UN ITY IS ON E IN

WHICH THE MIDDLE CLASS IS IN CON TROL, AN D
OUTNUMBERS BOTH OF THE OTHER CLASSE S. ”

“EQUALITY CONSISTS IN THE SAM E TRE ATM E N T OF

SIMILAR PERSONS.”
“EXCELLENCE IS NEVER AN ACCIDE N T. IT IS ALWAY S
THE RESULT OF HIGH INTEN TION , SIN CERE E FFORT,
AND INTELLIGENT EXECUTION ; IT RE PR E SE N TS THE
WISE CHOICE OF MANY ALTE RN ATIVES – CHOICE, N OT
CHANCE, DETERMINES YOUR DE STIN Y . ”

“THE ROOTS OF EDUCATION ARE B ITTE R, B UT TH E FRUIT

IS SWEET.”

“THE SECRET TO HUMOUR IS SURPR ISE . ”

“FEAR IS PAIN ARISING FROM THE AN TICI PATION OF

EVIL.”

“COMEDY AIMS AT REPRE SE N TIN G M E N AS WORSE ,

TRAGEDY AS BETTER THAN IN ACTUAL LI FE . ”

“FRIENDS HOLD A MIRROR UP TO E ACH OTHER;

THROUGH THAT MIRROR THEY CAN SE E E ACH OTHE R IN
WAYS THAT WOULD NOT OTHERWI SE B E ACCE SSIB L E TO
THEM, AND IT IS THIS M IRRORIN G THAT HELPS THE M
IMPROVE THEMSELVES AS PERSON S. ”
“IT IS EASY TO PERFORM A GOOD ACTI ON , B UT N OT E ASY
TO ACQUIRE A SETTLED HAB IT OF PERFORM IN G SUC H
ACTIONS.”

“GOOD HABITS FORMED AT Y OUTH M AKE ALL THE

DIFFERENCE.”

“HAPPINESS DEPENDS UPON OURSE LVE S. ”

“AT HIS BEST, MAN IS TH E N OB LEST OF ALL AN IM ALS;

SEPARATED FROM LAW AN D JUSTICE HE IS THE W ORST. ”

“HAPPINESS IS AN EXPRES SION OF THE SOUL IN

CONSIDERED ACTIONS.”

“THE ONE EXCLUSIVE SIGN OF THOROUGH KN OWL E DGE

IS THE POWER OF TEACH IN G. ”

“THE PROOF THAT YOU KN OW SOM E THI N G IS TH AT Y OU

ARE ABLE TO TEACH IT.”

“HE WHO HAS NEVER LEARN E D TO OB E Y CAN N OT B E A

GOOD COMMANDER.”
“THE SOCIETY THAT LOSE S ITS GRIP ON THE PAST IS IN
DANGER, FOR IT PRODUC E S M E N WHO KN OW N OTHIN G
BUT THE PRESENT, AND WHO ARE N OT AWARE THAT LIFE
HAD BEEN, AND COULD BE, DIFFE RE N T FROM WHAT IT
IS.”

“EVEN WHEN LAWS HAVE B E E N WR ITTE N DOWN, THE Y

OUGHT NOT ALWAYS TO R E M AIN UN ALTERE D. ”

“THE ULTIMATE VALUE OF LI FE DE PEN DS UPON

AWARENESS AND THE POWER OF CON TE M PLATION
RATHER THAN UPON MERE SURVI VAL.”

“HE WHO IS TO BE A GOOD RULER M UST HAVE FIRST

BEEN RULED.”

“EVERY RASCAL IS NOT A THI E F, B UT E VERY THI E F IS A

RASCAL.”

“HOPE IS A WAKING DREAM . ”

“I COUNT HIM BRAVER WHO OVERCOM E S HI S DE SIRE S

THAN HIM WHO CONQUERS HI S E N E M IE S; FOR TH E
HARDEST VICTORY IS OVE R SE LF.”
“I HAVE GAINED THIS BY PHILOSOPHY THAT I DO
WITHOUT BEING COMMANDE D WHAT OTHERS DO ON LY
FROM FEAR OF THE LAW. ”

“IN ALL THINGS OF NATURE THERE IS SOM E THI N G OF

THE MARVELLOUS.”

“WHY IS IT THAT ALL THOSE WHO HAVE B E COM E

EMINENT IN PHILOSOPHY , POLI TICS , POE TRY , OR TH E
ARTS ARE CLEARLY OF AN ATRAB ILI OUS TE M PERAM E N T
AND SOME OF THEM TO SUCH AN E XTE N T AS TO B E
AFFECTED BY DISEASES CAUSE D B Y B LACK B ILE? ”

“IT IS DURING OUR DARKEST M OM E N TS THAT WE M UST

FOCUS TO SEE THE LIGHT.”

“LIARS WHEN THEY SPEAK THE TRUTH ARE N OT

BELIEVED.”

“LOVE IS COMPOSED OF SIN GLE SOUL IN HAB ITIN G TWO

BODIES.”
“MAN IS A GOAL SEEKING AN IM AL. HI S LI FE ON LY H AS
MEANING IF HE IS REACHIN G OUT AN D STRIVI N G FOR
HIS GOALS.”

“FRIENDSHIP IS ESSENTIALLY A PARTN E RSHI P.”

“WICKED MEN OBEY FROM FE AR; GOOD M E N , FROM

LOVE.”

“MEN ACQUIRE PARTICULAR Q UALI TY B Y CON STAN TL Y

ACTING IN A PARTICULAR WAY . ”

“THE GODS TOO ARE FOND OF A JOKE . ”

“THE GREATEST THING BY FAR IS TO B E A M ASTE R OF

METAPHOR; IT IS THE ONE THI N G THAT CAN N OT B E
LEARNED FROM OTHERS; AN D IT IS ALS O A SIGN OF
GENIUS, SINCE A GOOD ME TAPHOR IM PLIE S AN
INTUITIVE PERCEPTION OF THE SIM ILARITY OF TH E
DISSIMILAR.”

“MEN ARE SWAYED MORE B Y FE AR THAN B Y

REVERENCE.”
“THE EDUCATED DIFFER FROM THE UN E DUCATE D AS
MUCH AS THE LIVING FROM THE DE AD. ”

“THE ENERGY OF THE MIN D IS THE E SSE N CE OF LIFE . ”

“MISFORTUNE SHOWS TH OSE WHO ARE N OT RE AL L Y

FRIENDS.”

“THE LEAST INITIAL DEVIATION FROM THE TRUTH IS

MULTIPLIED LATER A THOUSAN D FOLD. ”

“MOST PEOPLE WOULD RATHER GIVE THAN GE T

AFFECTION.”

“MY BEST FRIEND IS THE M AN WHO IN WI SHI N G M E

WELL, WISHES IT FOR MY SAKE . ”

“NO NOTICE IS TAKEN OF A LI TTLE E VI L, B UT WHE N IT

INCREASES IT STRIKES THE E Y E . ”

“NO ONE WOULD CHOOSE A FRIE N DLESS E XISTE N CE ON

CONDITION OF HAVING ALL THE OTHER THI N GS IN TH E
WORLD.”
“OBSTINATE PEOPLE CAN B E DIVI DE D IN TO THE
OPINIONATED, THE IGNORAN T, AN D THE B OORISH. ”

“MAN IS BY NATURE A POLI TICAL AN IM AL.”

“OF ALL THE VARIETIES OF VI RTUE S, LI B E RALI SM IS THE

MOST BELOVED.”

“PERFECT FRIENDSHIP I S THE FRIE N DSHI P OF M E N W HO

ARE GOOD, AND ALIKE IN E XCELLE N CE; FOR THESE
WISH WELL ALIKE TO EACH OTHER Q UA GOOD, AN D
THEY ARE GOOD IN THEMSE LVE S. ”

“HAPPINESS IS THE SETTLI N G OF THE SOUL IN TO ITS

MOST APPROPRIATE SPOT.”

“IT IS POSSIBLE TO FAIL IN M AN Y WAY S…WHILE TO

SUCCEED IS POSSIBLE ON LY IN ON E WAY . ”

“EDUCATION IS AN ORNAME N T IN PR OSPERITY AN D A

REFUGE IN ADVERSITY.”
“HE WHO HAS NEVER LEARN E D TO OB E Y CAN N OT B E A
GOOD COMMANDER.”

“PIETY REQUIRES US TO HON OUR TRUTH AB OVE OUR

FRIENDS.”

“IT IS THE MARK OF AN EDUCATE D M IN D TO B E AB LE TO

ENTERTAIN A THOUGHT WI THOUT ACCE PTI N G IT. ”

“PLEASURE IN THE JOB PUTS PERFE CTI ON IN THE

WORK.”

“THE TRUE AND THE APPROXIM ATE LY TRUE ARE

APPREHENDED BY THE S AM E FACULTY; IT M AY ALSO B E
NOTED THAT MEN HAVE A SUFFICI E N T N ATURAL
INSTINCT FOR WHAT IS TR UE , AN D USUALLY DO ARRIV E
AT THE TRUTH. HENCE THE M AN WHO M AKE S A GOOD
GUESS AT TRUTH IS LIKELY TO M AKE A GOOD GUE SS AT
PROBABILITIES.”

“THE IDEAL MAN BEARS THE ACCIDE N TS OF LI FE WITH

DIGNITY AND GRACE, MAKIN G THE B E ST OF
CIRCUMSTANCES.”
“WE PRAISE A MAN WHO FE E LS AN GRY ON THE RIGH T
GROUNDS AND AGAINST THE RIGHT PERSON S AN D AL SO
IN THE RIGHT MANNER AT THE RIGHT M OM E N T AN D FOR
THE RIGHT LENGTH OF TI M E . ”

“THE WORST FORM OF INE Q UALI TY IS TO TRY TO M AKE

UNEQUAL THINGS EQUAL. ”

“POVERTY IS THE PARENT OF RE VOLUTION AN D C RIM E . ”

“THERE IS NO GREAT GE N IUS WI THOUT SOM E TOUCH OF

MADNESS.”

“POETRY IS FINER AND MORE PHILOSOPHICAL TH AN

HISTORY; FOR POETRY EXPRE SSE S THE UN IVERSAL , AN D
HISTORY ONLY THE PARTICULAR. ”

“THE BEAUTY OF THE SOUL SHI N E S OUT WHE N A M AN

BEARS WITH COMPOSURE ON E HEAVY M ISCHAN CE
AFTER ANOTHER, NOT BECAUSE HE DOE S N OT FE E L
THEM, BUT BECAUSE HE IS A M AN OF HI GH AN D H E ROIC
TEMPER.”
“PROBABLE IMPOSSIBILITIE S ARE TO B E PR E FE RRE D TO
IMPROBABLE POSSIBILITIE S. ”

“QUALITY IS NOT AN ACT, IT IS A HAB IT. ”

“THE EDUCATED DIFFER FROM THE UN E DUCATE D AS

MUCH AS THE LIVING FROM THE DE AD. ”

“REPUBLICS DECLINE INTO DE M OCR ACI E S AN D

DEMOCRACIES DEGENERATE IN TO DE SPOTISM . ”

“SOMETHING IS INFINITE IF, TAKIN G IT Q UAN TITY B Y

QUANTITY, WE CAN ALWAY S TAKE SOM E THI N G
OUTSIDE.”

“THE ACTUALITY OF THOUGHT IS LI FE . ”

“WHOSOEVER IS DELIGHTE D IN SOLI TUDE IS E ITHE R A

WILD BEAST OR A GOD.”

“THE AIM OF THE WISE I S N OT TO SE CURE PLE ASURE ,

BUT TO AVOID PAIN.”
“THIS IS THE REASON WHY M OTHERS ARE M ORE
DEVOTED TO THEIR CHI LDRE N THAN FATHERS: IT IS
THAT THEY SUFFER MORE IN GIVI N G THEM B IRTH AN D
ARE MORE CERTAIN THAT THEY ARE THEIR OWN. ”

“THOSE THAT KNOW, DO. THOSE THAT UN DE RSTAN D,

TEACH.”

“WE LIVE IN DEEDS, NOT Y E ARS; IN THOUGHTS , N OT

BREATHS; IN FEELINGS, N OT IN FIGURE S ON A DIAL. WE
SHOULD COUNT TIME BY HEART THR OB S. HE M OST
LIVES WHO THINKS MOST, FE E LS THE N OB LEST, AC TS
THE BEST.”

“TO WRITE WELL, EXPRESS Y OURSE LF LI KE COM M ON

PEOPLE, BUT THINK LIKE A WI SE M AN . OR, THI N K AS
WISE MEN DO, BUT SPEAK AS THE COM M ON PEOPL E DO. ”

“WE MUST BE NEITHER COWARDLY N OR RASH B UT

COURAGEOUS.”

“THOSE WHO EDUCATE CHILDRE N WELL ARE M ORE TO

BE HONOURED THAN THE Y WHO PR ODUCE THEM ; FOR
THESE ONLY GAVE THEM LI FE , THOSE THE ART OF
LIVING WELL.”
“WISHING TO BE FRIENDS IS Q UICK WORK, B UT
FRIENDSHIP IS A SLOW-RIPEN IN G FRUIT. ”

“THE AIM OF ART IS TO R E PR E SE N T N OT THE OUTWARD

APPEARANCE OF THINGS, B UT THEIR IN WARD
SIGNIFICANCE.”

“WIT IS EDUCATED INSOLE N CE. ”

“YOU WILL NEVER DO ANY THI N G IN THE WORLD

WITHOUT COURAGE. IT I S THE GRE ATE ST Q UALI TY OF
THE MIND NEXT TO HONOUR. ”

“THE ENERGY OF THE MIN D IS THE E SSE N CE OF LIFE . ”

“IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO WIN A WAR; IT IS M ORE

IMPORTANT TO ORGANISE THE PEACE. ”
 FRIEDRICH NIETZCHE

I n 1844, Friedrich Nietzsche was born in Prussia, Germany. As a

scholar, philosopher and critic of culture, he became one of the
most influential modern thinkers.
From his youth, Nietzsche excelled academically - at 24 years old, he
became the youngest person to be called up to a chair in classical philology
at Basel. In his letter of reference, one of his university professors, Friedrich
Wilhelm Ritschl, wrote that “He will simply be able to do anything he
wants to do.” Nietzsche would be the only student to ever contribute to one
of Ritschl’s journals, Rheinisches Museum. In the summer of 1870,
Nietzsche halted his professional work to volunteer as a medical orderly
during the Franco-German war. Within a month, he had contracted
diphtheria and dysentery, and his health was never the same again. He
returned to teaching at Basel, but as early as October the following year, his
ill health forced him to take leave from teaching. In 1879, he resigned from
his professional chair completely and took a pension of 3000 Swiss francs
per year for six years. He would spend the next ten years half blind, very ill
and residing in boarding houses across France, Italy and Switzerland.
However, these years would be of supreme productivity and he wrote many
of his works during this time.
After a collapse and loss of his mental faculties in 1889, Friedrich
Nietzsche sadly spent the last 11 years of his life in total mental darkness
until he passed away in 1900.

Nihilism

Nietzsche is linked by scholars to nihilism, a disregard for anything that

cannot be proved scientifically. However, he did not ever claim that nothing
exists that cannot be proven, but rather suggested that many people use
religion, particularly Judeo-Christian teachings as a means for avoiding
decisive actions.

Existentialism

Nietzsche was one of the pioneers of existentialism, contributing a belief

that men need to accept they are part of a material world whatever else they
may believe or what may exist. Consequently, humans must believe and act
as if there is nothing else beyond life because a failure to live and take risks
because of non-material fear is ultimately, a failure to realise human
potential.

Questioning Religion

Friedrich Nietzsche is arguably most famous for his criticism to European

moral commitments, often founded in Christianity. According to Nietzsche,
the Judeo-Christian tradition makes suffering tolerable and justifies it with
atonement and God’s intention. This led to him making the bold and
paradoxical statement that “God is dead”. While he didn’t actually mean
that atheism is necessarily true, he later explained that “the belief in the
Christian God has become unbelievable” and that everything propped up by
this faith i.e European morality, is “destined to collapse”.

5 Facts About Friedrich Nietzsche

1. Similar to the last mentioned ideal of Nietzsche’s, he often shocked

people with aphorisms - brief, pointed comments that jolted people
to make them think, and if taken at face value they could seem
harsh. As a result, he was often misunderstood.
2. Friedrich Nietzsche’s father died when he was just 5 years old, and
he consequently spent his early life in a household with 5 other
females; two aunts, maternal grandmother, mother and younger
sister.
3. Although he was strongly against nationalism and anti-Semitism,
his name was later used by fascists to advance the very things he
despised.
4. During his youth he was an avid composer, writing a number of
compositions strongly influenced by the German Romantic Robert
Schumann.
5. In the late 1860s, Nietzsche became friends with the great
composer Richard Wagner. The two became very close and
Nietzsche’s first book, The Birth of Tragedy from the Spirit of
Music involved Wagner’s music. Eventually, Wagner’s chauvinism
and ani-Semitism drove the two apart.
90 FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE Q UOTE S

“THERE IS ALWAYS SOME M ADN E SS IN LOVE. B UT TH E RE

IS ALSO ALWAYS SOME RE ASON IN M ADN E SS. ”

“BEHIND EVERY REAL MAN THERE ' S A CHILD HI DDE N

THAT WANTS TO PLAY.”

“WE LOVE LIFE, NOT BECAUSE WE ARE USE D TO LIVIN G

BUT BECAUSE WE ARE USE D TO LOVI N G. ”

“ONE MUST STILL HAVE CHAOS IN ON E SE LF TO B E AB L E

TO GIVE BIRTH TO A DANCI N G STAR. ”

“HE WHO HAS A REASON TO LI VE CAN B E AR ALMOST

ANYTHING.”

“THAT WHICH DOES NOT KILL US M AKE S US STRON GE R. ”

“INSANITY IN INDIVIDUALS IS SOM E THI N G RARE - B UT

IN GROUPS, PARTIES, NATION S AN D E POCHS, IT IS TH E
RULE.”
“AND THOSE WHO WERE SE E N DAN CI N G WERE
THOUGHT TO BE INSANE B Y THOSE WHO COULD N OT
HEAR THE MUSIC.”

“THOUGHTS ARE THE SHADOWS OF OUR FE E LI N GS -

ALWAYS DARKER, EMPTIER AN D SIM PLE R. ”

“WHOEVER FIGHTS MONSTE RS SHOULD SE E TO IT TH AT

IN THE PROCESS HE DOES N OT B E COM E A M ON STE R.
AND IF YOU GAZE LONG E N OUGH IN TO AN AB Y SS, THE
ABYSS WILL GAZE BACK IN TO Y OU. ”

“THE INDIVIDUAL HAS ALWAY S HAD TO STRUGGL E TO

KEEP FROM BEING OVERWHE LME D B Y THE TRIB E . IF
YOU TRY IT, YOU WILL BE LON E LY OFTE N , AN D
SOMETIMES FRIGHTENE D. B UT N O PR ICE IS TOO H IGH
TO PAY FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF OWNIN G Y OURSE L F. ”

“WHAT IS GREAT IN MAN IS THAT HE IS A B RIDGE AN D

NOT A GOAL.”

“ALL TRULY GREAT THOUGHTS ARE CON CEIVED B Y

WALKING.”
“TO LIVE IS TO SUFFER, TO SURVI VE IS TO FIN D SOM E
MEANING IN THE SUFFERIN G. ”

“HE WHO WOULD LEARN TO FLY ON E DAY M UST FIRST

LEARN TO STAND AND WALK AN D RUN AN D CLIM B AN D
DANCE; ONE CANNOT FLY IN TO FLYIN G. ”

“IN THE CONSCIOUSNESS OF THE TRUTH HE HAS

PERCEIVED, MAN NOW SEE S E VERY WHE RE ON LY TH E
AWFULNESS OR THE ABS URDITY OF E XISTE N CE AN D
LOATHING SEIZES HIM.”

“GO UP CLOSE TO YOUR FR IE N D, B UT DO N OT GO OVE R

TO HIM! WE SHOULD ALSO RE SPECT THE E N E M Y IN OUR
FRIEND.”

“ALL THINGS ARE SUBJECT TO IN TE RPR E TATION ,

WHICHEVER INTERPRETATION PR E VAILS AT A GIV E N
TIME IS A FUNCTION OF POWER AN D N OT TRUTH. ”
“GOD IS DEAD. GOD REMAIN S DE AD. AN D WE HAVE
KILLED HIM. YET HIS SHADOW STILL LOOM S. HOW
SHALL WE COMFORT OUR SE LVE S, THE M URDE RE RS OF
ALL MURDERERS? WHAT WAS HOLI E ST AN D M IGH TIE ST
OF ALL THAT THE WORLD HAS Y E T OWNE D HAS B L E D TO
DEATH UNDER OUR KNIVE S; WHO WI LL WI PE TH IS
BLOOD OFF US? WHAT WATE R IS THERE FOR US TO
CLEAN OURSELVES?”

“THOSE WHO CANNOT UNDE RSTAN D HOW TO PUT THE IR

THOUGHTS ON ICE SHOULD N OT E N TE R IN TO THE HE AT
OF DEBATE.”

“IT IS NOT A LACK OF LOVE , B UT A LACK OF FRIE N DSH IP

THAT MAKES UNHAPPY MARRIAGE S. ”

“WE HAVE ART IN ORDER N OT TO DIE OF THE TRUTH. ”

“WHEN ART DRESSES IN WORN -OUT M ATE RIAL IT IS

MOST EASILY RECOGNISE D AS ART. ”

“EGOISM IS THE VERY ESS E N CE OF A N OB LE SOUL. ”

“ONE HAS TO PAY DEARLY FOR IM M ORTALI TY ; ON E HAS
TO DIE SEVERAL TIMES WHI LE ON E IS STILL ALI VE . ”

“CONVICTIONS ARE MOR E DAN GE ROUS FOE S OF TRUTH

THAN LIES.”

“LOVE MATCHES, SO CALLED, HAVE ILLUSION FOR TH E IR

FATHER AND NEED FOR THEIR M OTHER. ”

“WHEN ONE HAS FINISHED B UILDIN G ON E ' S HOUSE ,

ONE SUDDENLY REALISES THAT IN THE PR OCESS TH E Y
LEARNED SOMETHING THEY RE ALLY N E E DE D TO KN OW
IN THE WORST WAY - BEFORE ON E B E GAN . ”

“THE ' KINGDOM OF HEAVE N ' IS A CON DITION OF THE

HEART - NOT SOMETHIN G THAT COM E S ' UPON TH E
EARTH' OR ' AFTER DEATH.' ”

“A GOOD WRITER POSSESSE S N OT ON LY HI S OWN SPIRIT

BUT ALSO THE SPIRIT OF HI S FRIE N DS. ”

“WHOEVER FEELS PREDESTIN E D TO SE E AN D N OT TO

BELIEVE WILL FIND ALL BE LI E VERS TOO N OISY AN D
PUSHY: HE GUARDS AGAIN ST THEM . ”
“WHEN MARRYING, ASK Y OURSE LF THI S Q UE STION : DO
YOU BELIEVE THAT YOU WI LL B E AB LE TO CON VERSE
WELL WITH THIS PERSON IN TO Y OUR OLD AGE ?
EVERYTHING ELSE IN MARRIAGE IS TRAN SITORY . ”

“NOTHING IS BEAUTIFUL, ON LY M AN : ON THI S PI E CE OF

NAIVETY RESTS ALL AESTHE TICS , IT IS THE FIRST TRUTH
OF AESTHETICS. LET US IM M E DIATE LY ADD ITS SE CON D:
NOTHING IS UGLY BUT DE GE N E RATE M AN - THE DOM AIN
OF AESTHETIC JUDGMEN T IS THERE WI TH DE FIN E D. ”

“HE WHO CANNOT GIVE AN Y THI N G AWAY CAN N OT FE E L

ANYTHING EITHER.”

“LET US BEWARE OF SAYIN G THAT DE ATH IS THE

OPPOSITE OF LIFE. THE LIVI N G B E IN G IS ON LY A
SPECIES OF THE DEAD, AN D A VERY RARE SPECI E S. ”

“THE TRUE MAN WANTS TWO THI N GS: DAN GE R AN D

PLAY. FOR THAT REASON HE WAN TS WOM AN , THE MOST
DANGEROUS PLAYTHING. ”
“THE SUREST WAY TO COR RUPT A Y OUTH IS TO
INSTRUCT HIM TO HOLD IN HI GHER E STE E M THOSE
WHO THINK ALIKE THAN THOSE WHO THI N K
DIFFERENTLY.”

“AN ARTIST HAS NO HOME IN E UROPE E XCEPT IN P ARIS. ”

“AND WE SHOULD CONSIDE R E VERY DAY LOST ON

WHICH WE HAVE NOT DAN CED AT LEAST ON CE. AN D W E
SHOULD CALL EVERY TRUTH FALS E WHICH WAS N OT
ACCOMPANIED BY AT LE AST ON E LAUGH.”

“AT TIMES ONE REMAINS FAITHFUL TO A CAUSE ON LY

BECAUSE ITS OPPONENTS DO N OT CEASE TO B E
INSIPID.”

“THE WORD ' CHRISTIAN ITY ' IS ALR E ADY A

MISUNDERSTANDING - IN RE ALI TY THERE HAS B E E N
ONLY ONE CHRISTIAN, AN D HE DIE D ON THE CR OSS. ”

“THE FUTURE INFLUENCES THE PR E SE N T JUST AS M UC H

AS THE PAST.”
“WHOEVER DOES NOT H AVE A GOOD FATHER SH OUL D
PROCURE ONE.”

“THE IRRATIONALITY OF A THI N G IS N O ARGUM E N T

AGAINST ITS EXISTENCE, RATHER A CON DITION OF IT. ”

“TODAY I LOVE MYSELF AS I LOVE M Y GOD: WHO COUL D

CHARGE ME WITH A SIN TODAY ? I KN OW ON LY SIN S
AGAINST MY GOD; BUT WHO KN OWS M Y GOD? ”

“THE WORLD ITSELF IS THE WI LL TO POWER - AN D

NOTHING ELSE! AND YOU Y OURSE LF ARE THE WI L L TO
POWER - AND NOTHING ELS E ! ”

“HE THAT HUMBLETH HIMSE LF WI SHES TO B E

EXALTED.”

“THE MOST COMMON LIE IS THAT WHICH ON E LI E S TO

HIMSELF; LYING TO OTHE RS IS RE LATIVELY AN
EXCEPTION.”

“THE DEMAND TO BE LOVE D IS THE GRE ATE ST OF ALL

ARROGANT PRESUMPTION S. ”
“NOT NECESSITY, NOT DESIRE - N O, THE LOVE OF
POWER IS THE DEMON OF M E N . LET THEM HAVE
EVERYTHING - HEALTH, FOOD, A PLACE TO LI VE,
ENTERTAINMENT - THEY ARE AN D RE M AIN UN HAPP Y
AND LOW-SPIRITED: FOR THE DE M ON WAITS AN D W AITS
AND WILL BE SATISFIED.”

“IF THERE IS SOMETHING TO PARDON IN E VERY THIN G,

THERE IS ALSO SOMETH IN G TO CON DE M N . ”

“IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SUFFER WI THOUT M AKIN G

SOMEONE PAY FOR IT; EVERY COM PLAIN T ALR E ADY
CONTAINS REVENGE.”

“THERE ARE HORRIBLE P E OPLE WHO, IN STE AD OF

SOLVING A PROBLEM, TANGLE IT UP AN D M AKE IT
HARDER TO SOLVE FOR AN Y ON E WHO WAN TS TO DE AL
WITH IT. WHOEVER DOES N OT KN OW HOW TO H IT TH E
NAIL ON THE HEAD SHOULD B E ASKE D N OT TO HIT IT AT
ALL.”

“WHATEVER IS DONE FOR LOVE ALWAY S OCCURS

BEYOND GOOD AND EVIL.”
“ADMIRATION FOR A QUALI TY OR AN ART CAN B E SO
STRONG THAT IT DETERS US FROM STRIVI N G TO
POSSESS IT.”

“THE ESSENCE OF ALL BE AUTIFUL ART, ALL GRE AT ART,

IS GRATITUDE.”

“THE BEST WEAPON AGAIN ST AN E N E M Y IS AN OTHE R

ENEMY.”

“I CANNOT BELIEVE IN A GOD WHO WAN TS TO B E

PRAISED ALL THE TIME.”

“TO FORGET ONE' S PURPOSE IS THE COM M ON E ST FORM

OF STUPIDITY.”

“THERE IS NOT ENOUGH LOVE AN D GOODN E SS IN TH E

WORLD TO PERMIT GIVIN G AN Y OF IT AWAY TO
IMAGINARY BEINGS.”

“THERE IS MORE WISDOM IN Y OUR B ODY THAN IN Y OUR

DEEPEST PHILOSOPHY.”
“WHAT CAN EVERYONE DO? PR AISE AN D B LAM E . TH IS IS
HUMAN VIRTUE, THIS IS HUM AN M ADN E SS. ”

“THE BEST AUTHOR WILL B E THE ON E WHO IS ASHAM E D

TO BECOME A WRITER.”

“MYSTICAL EXPLANATIONS ARE THOUGHT TO B E DE E P;

THE TRUTH IS THAT THE Y ARE N OT E VEN SHALLOW. ”

“THERE ARE VARIOUS EYE S. E VEN THE SPHIN X HAS

EYES: AND AS A RESULT THERE ARE VARIOUS TRUTH S,
AND AS A RESULT THERE IS N O TRUTH.”

“UNDESERVED PRAISE CAUSE S M ORE PAN GS OF

CONSCIENCE LATER THAN UN DE SE RVED B LAM E , B UT
PROBABLY ONLY FOR THI S RE ASON , THAT OUR POW E R OF
JUDGMENT ARE MORE COMPLE TE LY E XPOSE D B Y B E IN G
OVER PRAISED THAN BY B E IN G UN JUSTLY
UNDERESTIMATED.”

“WHENEVER I CLIMB I AM FOLLOWED B Y A DOG CALL E D

' EGO' .”
“GLANCE INTO THE WOR LD JUST AS THOUGH TIM E WE RE
GONE: AND EVERYTHING CR OOKE D WI LL B E COM E
STRAIGHT TO YOU.”

“ONE SHOULD DIE PROUDLY WHE N IT IS N O LON GE R

POSSIBLE TO LIVE PROUDLY. ”
“ARROGANCE ON THE PART OF THE M E RITORIOUS IS
EVEN MORE OFFENSIVE TO US THAN THE ARROGAN C E OF
THOSE WITHOUT MERIT: FOR M E RIT ITSE LF IS
OFFENSIVE.”

“NO ONE LIES SO BOLDLY AS THE M AN WHO IS

INDIGNANT.”

“THE MAN OF KNOWLEDGE M UST B E AB LE N OT ON L Y TO

LOVE HIS ENEMIES BUT ALS O TO HATE HI S FRIE N DS. ”

“TALKING MUCH ABOUT ON E SE LF CAN ALS O B E A M E AN S

TO CONCEAL ONESELF.”

“THERE ARE SLAVISH SOULS WHO CARRY THEIR

APPRECIATION FOR FAVOURS DON E TO THEM SO FAR
THAT THEY STRANGLE THE M SE LVE S WI TH THE ROP E OF
GRATITUDE.”

“WORDS ARE BUT SYMBOLS FOR THE RE LATION S OF

THINGS TO ONE ANOTHE R AN D TO US; N OWHE RE DO
THEY TOUCH UPON ABSOLUTE TRUTH.”
“TO USE THE SAME WOR DS IS N OT A SUFFICI E N T
GUARANTEE OF UNDERSTAN DIN G; ON E M UST USE THE
SAME WORDS FOR THE SAM E GE N US OF IN WARD
EXPERIENCE; ULTIMATELY ON E M UST HAVE ON E ' S
EXPERIENCES IN COMMON . ”
“THE APHORISM IN WHI CH I AM THE FIRST M ASTE R
AMONG GERMANS, ARE THE FORM S OF ' E TE RN ITY ' ; M Y
AMBITION IS TO SAY IN TEN SE N TE N CES WHAT
EVERYONE ELSE SAYS IN A B OOK - WHAT E VERY ON E
ELSE DOES NOT SAY IN A B OOK. ”

“THE DESIRE TO ANNOY N O ON E , TO HARM N O ON E , C AN

EQUALLY WELL BE THE SIGN OF A JUST AS OF AN
ANXIOUS DISPOSITION.”

“ON THE MOUNTAINS OF TRUTH Y OU CAN N E VER CL IM B

IN VAIN: EITHER YOU WILL RE ACH A POIN T HI GHE R UP
TODAY, OR YOU WILL BE TRAIN IN G Y OUR POWERS SO
THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO CLIM B HI GHER
TOMORROW.”

“IN LARGE STATES PUBLIC E DUCATION WI LL ALWAY S B E

MEDIOCRE, FOR THE SAME RE ASON THAT IN LARGE
KITCHENS THE COOKING IS USUALLY B AD. ”

“PEOPLE WHO HAVE GIVE N US THEIR COM PLE TE

CONFIDENCE BELIEVE THAT THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO
OURS. THE INFERENCE IS FALS E , A GIFT CON FE RS N O
RIGHTS.”
“SLEEPING IS NO MEAN ART: FOR ITS SAKE ON E M UST
STAY AWAKE ALL DAY.”

“THERE IS A ROLLICKING KIN DN E SS THAT LOOKS LIKE

MALICE.”

“ANYONE WHO HAS DECLARE D SOM E ON E E LS E TO B E AN

IDIOT, A BAD APPLE, IS ANN OY E D WHE N IT TURN S OUT
IN THE END THAT HE ISN'T. ”

“THE CHRISTIAN RESOLUTION TO FIN D THE WORL D

UGLY AND BAD HAS MADE THE WORLD UGLY AN D B AD. ”

“OF ALL THAT IS WRITTEN, I LOVE ON LY WHAT A P E RSON

HAS WRITTEN WITH HIS OWN B LOOD. ”

“OUR TREASURE LIES IN THE B E E HI VE OF OUR

KNOWLEDGE. WE ARE PERPETUALLY ON THE WAY
THITHER, BEING BY NATURE WI N GE D IN SE CTS AN D
HONEY GATHERERS OF THE M IN D. ”

“NOT WHEN TRUTH IS DIRTY , B UT WHE N IT IS SHALL OW ,

DOES THE ENLIGHTENED M AN DISLI KE TO WADE IN TO
ITS WATERS.”
“REGARDING LIFE, THE WISE ST M E N OF ALL AGE S HAV E
JUDGED ALIKE: IT IS WORTHLE SS. ”

“YOU SAY IT IS THE GOOD CAUSE THAT HALLOWS E VE N

WAR? I SAY UNTO YOU: IT IS THE GOOD WAR THAT
HALLOWS ANY CAUSE.”
 JOHN LOCKE

J ohn Locke was an English philosopher and physician born in

1632, in Somerset. His works are key in the foundations of
Empiricism, Liberalism and the Age of Enlightenment, ideas
that all began in the 17th century and carry on today. At age
20, he started attending Christ Church, the largest college in the University
of Oxford. Locke found the curriculum unsatisfying. The teachings were
largely centred around the teachings of Aristotle and ignored a lot of the
new ideas about nature and the origins of knowledge, a lot of which came to
light from the likes of Descartes and Francis Bacon. Locke took great
interest in these and became very familiar with the works of both
philosophers, which would greatly influence his future work.
In 1660, the English monarchy was restored. It had been initially replaced
by the Commonwealth in 1653 as the end result of the civil war. This was
both good and bad for John Locke; on one hand many of his collaborators
moved back to London and this led to them forming the Royal Society,
which provided the stimulus for lots of scientific research. However, the
new freedom resulted in lots of unruly behaviour amongst the
undergraduates at Oxford, which led Locke to become very wary of quick
social change. His growing up during the civil war likely fed into this
apprehensiveness.
6 years later, John Locke met Lord Anthony Ashley Cooper, later first Earl
of Shaftesbury. A great first impression eventually led to Lord Cooper
eventually inviting Locke to join his household in Exeter as his personal
aide and physician. They were in agreement over a lot of ideas such as
toleration in religion, civil liberty and the economic expansion of England,
and this shaped a lot of the works that Locke would write in the future.
The two spent time exiled in France following the Earl of Shaftesbury’s
losing favour with Charles II in the 1670s, and later on, at the start of the
next decade, the Earl was tried and acquitted for treason, so he fled to
Holland in 1681, where he would die two years later. In the same year, John
Locke moved to Holland. From this situation emerged John Locke’s major
political philosophical work, Two Treatise of Government in 1689. After a
long period of ill health, he passed away in 1704.

Liberalism

John Locke is widely known as the ‘Father of Liberalism’. This was

founded on the social contract, arguing that everyone has a right to life,
property, liberty - Locke famously wrote this as a man’s three natural rights.
The government must not violate these rights. It sought to replace absolute
monarchy with representative democracy and the rule of law. His definition
of property as a product of someone’s labour would become a foundation
for both Adam Smith’s capitalism and Karl Marx’s socialism.

Empiricism

Empiricism emerged in Britain from Francis Bacon and was built upon by
John Locke. It is the theory that knowledge predominantly comes from
sensory experience, rather than theory. It emphasises the importance of
empirical evidence over innate ideas. To hone in on this and Locke’s
beliefs, he believed that all ideas come from sensation or reflection. An
analogy he used for this was observing a child from birth. In An Essay on
Human Understanding, he wrote: “I think it will be granted easily, that if a
child were kept in a place where he never saw any other but black and white
till he were a man, he would have no more ideas of scarlet or green, than he
that from his childhood never tasted an oyster, or a pine-apple, has of those
particular relishes…follow a child from its birth, and observe the alterations
that time makes, and you shall find, as the mind by the senses comes more
and more to be furnished with ideas, it comes to be more and more awake;
thinks more, the more it has matter to think on.”

Age of Enlightenment
The ‘Age of Enlightenment’ was a philosophical movement that held sway
in Europe through the 17th and 18th centuries. Stemming from the
philosophers that Locke took great interest in during his youth, both of John
Locke’s ideas and teachings previously mentioned are integral parts of the
enlightenment movement, as the movement centred around empiricism and
the sovereignty of reason, the latter being the gradual shift to reason as the
standard of truth in politics and religion.

5 Facts About John Locke

1. John Locke’s closest female friend was the philosopher Lady

Damaris Cudworth Masham. Before she married, the two had
exchanged love poems, and when Locke returned from exile, he
moved into her and her husband’s household.
2. Later in his life, John Locke was friends with Isaac Newton. Much
of their correspondence came from chemist Robert Boyle, who was
a mutual.
3. John Locke’s actual name is John Locke Junior.
4. John Locke’s mother died in his early years at Oxford. His father
died in 1661 and his only sibling, Thomas, in 1663. Locke was left
without a family by his early thirties.
5. Most of his monumental works were written when he was over the
age of 60. These include: An Essay Concerning Human
Understanding which inspects the human mind, Two Treatise of
Government (his most important political work), A Letter
Concerning Toleration which puts forward strong reasoning in
favour of religious tolerance and Some Thoughts Concerning
Education written in 1693, which remains one of the most
important philosophical works on education in England.
81 JOHN LOCKE QUOTES

“THE ONLY FENCE AGAIN ST THE WORLD IS A THOROUGH

KNOWLEDGE OF IT.”

“I HAVE ALWAYS THOUGHT THE ACTI ON S OF M E N THE

BEST INTERPRETERS OF THE IR THOUGHTS . ”

“AS PEOPLE ARE WALKING ALL THE TIM E , IN THE SAM E

SPOT, A PATH APPEARS.”

“GOVERNMENT HAS NO OTHE R E N D, B UT THE

PRESERVATION OF PROPERTY . ”

“IT IS OF GREAT USE TO THE SAILOR TO KN OW TH E

LENGTH OF HIS LINE, THOUGH HE CAN N OT WI TH IT
FATHOM ALL THE DEPTHS OF THE OCEAN . ”

“READING FURNISHES THE M IN D ON LY WI TH M ATE RIALS

OF KNOWLEDGE; IT IS THI N KIN G THAT M AKE S W HAT WE
READ OURS.”
“EVERY MAN HAS A PROPE RTY IN HI S OWN PERSON . THIS
NOBODY HAS A RIGHT TO, B UT HI M SE LF.”

“NEW OPINIONS ARE ALWAY S SUSPECTED, AN D USUALL Y

OPPOSED, WITHOUT ANY OTHER RE ASON B UT B E CAUSE
THEY ARE NOT ALREADY COM M ON . ”

“THERE CANNOT BE GRE ATE R RUDE N E SS THAN TO

INTERRUPT ANOTHER IN THE CURRE N T OF HI S
DISCOURSE.”

“REVERIE IS WHEN IDEAS FLOAT IN OUR M IN D W ITH OUT

REFLECTION OR REGARD OF THE UN DE RSTAN DIN G. ”

“EDUCATION BEGINS TH E GE N TLEM AN , B UT RE ADIN G,

GOOD COMPANY AND RE FLECTI ON M UST FIN ISH H IM . ”

“THE IMPROVEMENT OF UN DE RSTAN DIN G IS FOR TW O

ENDS: FIRST, OUR OWN I N CR E ASE OF KN OWLE DGE ;
SECONDLY, TO ENABLE US TO DE LI VER THAT
KNOWLEDGE TO OTHERS. ”
“ALL MEN ARE LIABLE TO E RROR; AN D M OST M E N ARE , IN
MANY POINTS, BY PASSION OR IN TE RE ST, UN DE R
TEMPTATION TO IT.”

“A SOUND MIND IN A SOUN D B ODY , IS A SHORT, B UT

FULL DESCRIPTION OF A HAPPY STATE IN THI S W ORL D:
HE THAT HAS THESE TWO, HAS LI TTLE M ORE TO W ISH
FOR; AND HE THAT WANTS E ITHER OF THEM , WI L L B E
LITTLE THE BETTER FOR AN Y THI N G E LS E . ”

“THERE IS FREQUENTLY M ORE TO B E LEARN E D FROM

THE UNEXPECTED QUES TION S OF A CHILD THAN TH E
DISCOURSES OF MEN.”

“OUR INCOMES ARE LIKE OUR SHOE S; IF TOO SM AL L ,

THEY GALL AND PINCH US ; B UT IF TOO LARGE , TH E Y
CAUSE US TO STUMBLE AN D TO TRIP.”

“AN EXCELLENT MAN, LIKE PR E CI OUS M E TAL, IS IN

EVERY WAY INVARIABLE; A VI LLAIN , LI KE THE B E AM S OF
A BALANCE, IS ALWAYS VARY IN G, UPWARDS AN D
DOWNWARDS.”
“TO PREJUDGE OTHER M E N ' S N OTION S B E FORE W E HAV E
LOOKED INTO THEM IS N OT TO SHOW THEIR DARKN E SS
BUT TO PUT OUT OUR OWN E Y E S. ”

“THE DREAD OF EVIL IS A M UCH M ORE FORCI B LE

PRINCIPLE OF HUMAN ACTION S THAN THE PR OSPE C T OF
GOOD.”

“WHERE THERE IS NO PROPERTY THERE IS N O

INJUSTICE.”

“TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOUR AS OURSE LVE S IS SUCH A

TRUTH FOR REGULATING HUM AN SOCI E TY , THAT B Y
THAT ALONE ONE MIGHT DE TE RM IN E ALL THE CASE S IN
SOCIAL MORALITY.”

“PARENTS WONDER WHY THE STRE AM S ARE B ITTE R,

WHEN THEY THEMSELVE S HAVE POISON E D THE
FOUNTAIN.”

“IT IS EASIER FOR A TUTOR TO COM M AN D THAN TO

TEACH.”
“I ATTRIBUTE THE LITTLE I KN OW TO M Y N OT HAV IN G
BEEN ASHAMED TO ASK FOR IN FORM ATION , AN D TO M Y
RULE OF CONVERSING WITH ALL DE SCR IPTI ON S OF M E N
ON THOSE TOPICS THAT FORM THEIR OWN PECUL IAR
PROFESSIONS AND PURSUITS. ”

“I HAVE SPENT MORE THAN HALF A LI FE TIM E TRY IN G TO

EXPRESS THE TRAGIC MOM E N T. ”

“FORTITUDE IS THE GUARD AN D SUPPORT OF TH E OTH E R

VIRTUES.”

“WE SHOULD HAVE A GRE AT FE WER DISPUTE S IN TH E

WORLD IF WORDS WERE TAKE N FOR WHAT THEY ARE ,
THE SIGNS OF OUR IDEAS ON LY, AN D N OT FOR TH IN GS
THEMSELVES.”

“THINGS OF THIS WORLD ARE IN SO CON STAN T A FLUX,

THAT NOTHING REMAINS LON G IN THE SAM E STATE . ”

“THE DISCIPLINE OF DES IRE IS THE B ACKGROUN D OF

CHARACTER.”
“IT IS ONE THING TO SHOW A M AN THAT HE IS IN AN
ERROR, AND ANOTHER TO PUT HI M IN POSSE SSION OF
THE TRUTH.”

“ONE UNERRING MARK OF THE LOVE OF TRUTH IS N OT

ENTERTAINING ANY PROPOSITION WI TH GRE ATE R
ASSURANCE THAN THE PR OOFS IT IS B UILT UPON WIL L
WARRANT.”

“OUR DEEDS DISGUISE US . PEOPLE N E E D E N DLESS TIM E

TO TRY ON THEIR DEEDS, UN TIL E ACH KN OWS TH E
PROPER DEEDS FOR HIM TO DO. B UT E VERY DAY , E V E RY
HOUR, RUSHES BY. THER E IS N O TIM E . ”

“ANYONE REFLECTING UPON THE THOUGHT HE H AS OF

THE DELIGHT, WHICH AN Y PR E SE N T OR AB SE N T TH IN G
IS APT TO PRODUCE IN HI M , HAS THE IDE A WE CALL
LOVE.”
“FASHION FOR THE MOST PART IS N OTHI N G B UT THE
OSTENTATION OF RICHES. ”

“MAN... HATH BY NATURE A POWER . . . . TO PR E SE RV E HIS

PROPERTY - THAT IS, HIS LI FE , LI B E RTY , AN D E STATE -
AGAINST THE INJURIES AN D ATTE M PTS OF OTHER M E N . ”

“NATURE NEVER MAKES E XCELLE N T THI N GS FOR M E AN

OR NO USES.”

“NOBODY IS GOING TO LET AN Y B ODY ' S CHILDRE N P L AY

ON SOMETHING THAT IS UN SAFE . THERE IS JUST N O
WAY.”

“OUR SAVIOUR' S GREAT RULE, THAT WE SHOULD LOVE

OUR NEIGHBOURS AS OURSE LVE S, IS SUCH A
FUNDAMENTAL TRUTH FOR THE RE GULATIN G OF H UM AN
SOCIETY, THAT, BY THAT ALON E , ON E M IGHT WI THOUT
DIFFICULTY DETERMINE ALL THE CASE S AN D DOUB TS IN
SOCIAL MORALITY.”
“THERE BEING NOTHING M ORE E VI DE N T THAN TH AT
CREATURES OF THE SAME SPECI E S SHOULD B E E Q UAL
AMONGST ONE ANOTHER WI THOUT SUB ORDIN ATION OR
SUBJECTION.”

“IT IS SO VITAL TO EVERY B ODY WHO HAS A STAKE IN

THE DOWNTOWN. IT IS VITAL TO AN Y ON E WHO LIVE S
HERE. IT IS GOING TO PUT US ON THE M AP.”

“IF PUNISHMENT MAKES N OT THE WI LL SUPPLE IT

HARDENS THE OFFENDER. ”

“THE GREAT QUESTION ABOUT POWER IS WHO SHOUL D

HAVE IT.”

“HE WOULD BE LAUGHED AT, THAT SHOULD GO AB OUT

TO MAKE A FINE DANCER OUT OF A COUN TRY HEDGE R,
AT PAST FIFTY. AND HE WILL N OT HAVE M UCH B E TTE R
SUCCESS, WHO SHALL EN DE AVOUR, AT THAT AGE , TO
MAKE A MAN REASON WELL, OR SPEAK HAN DSOM E L Y ,
WHO HAS NEVER BEEN US E D TO IT, THOUGH Y OU
SHOULD LAY BEFORE HIM A COLLE CTI ON OF ALL TH E
BEST PRECEPTS OF LOGIC OR ORATORY . ”
“SOME EYES WANT SPECTACLE S TO SE E THI N GS C L E ARL Y
AND DISTINCTLY: BUT LET N OT THOSE THAT USE TH E M
THEREFORE SAY NOBODY CAN SE E CLE ARLY WI THOUT
THEM.”

“THE NEXT THING IS BY GE N TLE DE GRE E S TO ACCUSTOM

CHILDREN TO THOSE THI N GS THEY ARE TOO AFRAID OF.
BUT HERE GREAT CAUTION IS TO B E USE D, THAT Y OU DO
NOT MAKE TOO MUCH HASTE , N OR ATTE M PT THI S C URE
TOO EARLY, FOR FEAR LE ST Y OU IN CR E ASE THE
MISCHIEF INSTEAD OF RE M E DY IN G IT. ”

“UNTRUTH BEING UNACCEPTAB LE TO THE M IN D OF M AN ,

THERE IS NO OTHER DEFE N CE LEFT FOR AB SURDITY B UT
OBSCURITY.”

“THERE IS NOT SO CONTE M PTI B LE A PLAN T OR AN IM AL

THAT DOES NOT CONFOUND THE M OST E N LARGE D
UNDERSTANDING.”

“ALL MEN BY NATURE AR E E Q UAL IN THAT E Q UAL RIGH T

THAT EVERY MAN HATH TO HI S N ATURAL FRE E DOM ,
WITHOUT BEING SUBJEC TE D TO THE WI LL OR
AUTHORITY OF ANY OTHER M AN ; B E IN G ALL E Q UAL AN D
INDEPENDENT, NO ONE OUGHT TO HARM AN OTHE R IN
HIS LIFE, HEALTH, LIBERTY OR POSSE SSION S. ”
“MEMORY IS THE POWER TO RE VI VE AGAIN IN OUR
MINDS THOSE IDEAS WHICH AFTE R IM PR IN TIN G HAV E
DISAPPEARED, OR HAVE B E E N LAID ASIDE OUT OF
SIGHT.”

“LIBERTY IS TO BE FREE FR OM RE STRAIN T AN D

VIOLENCE FROM OTHER S. ”

“IT IS LABOUR INDEED THAT PUTS THE DIFFE RE N CE ON

EVERYTHING.”

“NOTHING IS IN THE INTELLE CT THAT WAS N OT FIRST IN

THE SENSES.”

“SINCE THE GREAT FOUNDATION OF FE AR IS PAIN , TH E

WAY TO HARDEN AND FOR TIFY CHILDRE N AGAIN ST FE AR
AND DANGER IS TO ACCUSTOM THEM TO SUFFE R PAIN . ”

“CURIOSITY SHOULD BE AS CARE FULLY CHE RISHE D IN

CHILDREN, AS OTHER AP PETITE S SUPPRE SSE D. ”
“IT IS AMBITION ENOUGH TO B E E M PLOY E D AS AN
UNDER-LABOURER IN CLE ARIN G THE GROUN D A L ITTL E ,
AND REMOVING SOME OF THE RUB B ISH THAT LI E S IN
THE WAY TO KNOWLEDGE . ”

“TO BE RATIONAL IS SO GLORIOUS A THI N G, THAT TW O-

LEGGED CREATURES GEN E RALLY CON TE N T THEM SE LVE S
WITH THE TITLE.”

“IF ALL BE A DREAM, THE N HE DOTH B UT DRE AM THAT

HE MAKES THE QUESTION; AN D SO IT IS N OT M UCH
MATTER THAT A WAKING M AN SHOULD AN SWER HIM . ”

“AS MUCH LAND AS A MAN TILLS, PLAN TS, IM PR OVE S,

CULTIVATED, AND CAN USE THE PR ODUCT OF, SO M UCH
IS HIS PROPERTY. HE BY HI S LAB OUR DOE S, AS IT WE RE ,
ENCLOSE IT FROM THE COM M ON . ”

“IT IS VAIN TO FIND FAULT WI TH THOSE ARTS OF

DECEIVING WHEREIN M E N FIN D PLE ASURE TO B E
DECEIVED.”
“TILL A MAN CAN JUDGE WHE THER THEY B E TRUTHS OR
NOT, HIS UNDERSTANDIN G IS B UT LI TTLE IM PR OV E D,
AND THUS MEN OF MUCH RE ADIN G, THOUGH GRE ATLY
LEARNED, BUT MAY BE LITTLE KN OWI N G. ”

“IS IT WORTH THE NAME OF FRE E DOM TO B E AT L IB E RTY

TO PLAY THE FOOL?”

“HE THAT THINKS ABSOLUTE POWER PURIFIE S M E N ' S

BLOOD, AND CORRECTS THE B ASE N E SS OF HUM AN
NATURE, NEEDS ONLY TO RE AD THE HI STORY OF THIS,
OR ANY OTHER AGE, TO BE CON VI N CED TO THE
CONTRARY.”

“SET THE MIND TO WORK, AN D APPLY THE THOUGHTS

VIGOROUSLY TO THE BUSIN E SS, FOR IT HOLDS IN THE
STRUGGLES OF THE MIND, AS IN THOSE OF WAR, TH AT
TO THINK WE SHALL CON Q UE R IS TO CON Q UE R. ”

“THESE TWO, I SAY, EXTERN AL M ATE RIAL THI N GS, AS

THE OBJECTS OF SENSATION AN D THE OPERATION S OF
OUR OWN MINDS WITHI N , AS THE OB JE CTS OF
REFLECTION, ARE TO ME THE ON LY ORIGIN ALS FROM
WHENCE ALL OUR IDEAS TAKE THEIR B E GIN N IN GS. ”
”FIRMNESS OR STIFFNESS OF THE M IN D IS N OT FROM
ADHERENCE TO TRUTH, B UT SUB M ISSION TO
PREJUDICE.”

“ERROR IS NONE THE BETTER FOR B E IN G COM M ON , N OR

TRUTH THE WORSE FOR HAVI N G LAIN N E GLECTED. ”

“ANGER IS UNEASINESS OR DISCOM POSURE OF TH E

MIND UPON THE RECEIP T OF AN Y IN JURY , WI TH A
PRESENT PURPOSE OF REVE N GE . ”

“KNOWLEDGE BEING TO B E HAD ON LY OF VI SIB L E AN D

CERTAIN TRUTH, ERROR IS N OT A FAULT OF OUR
KNOWLEDGE, BUT A MISTAKE OF OUR JUDGM E N T,
GIVING ASSENT TO THAT WHICH IS N OT TRUE . ”

“CHILDREN GENERALLY HATE TO B E IDLE; ALL TH E CARE

THEN IS THAT THEIR BUSY HUM OUR SHOULD B E
CONSTANTLY EMPLOYED IN SOM E THI N G OF USE TO
THEM.”

“CERTAIN SUBJECTS YIELD A GE N E RAL POWER THAT M AY

BE APPLIED IN ANY DIRE CTI ON AN D SHOULD B E
STUDIED BY ALL.”
“HENCE IT IS A MISTAKE TO THI N K THAT THE SUP RE M E
OR LEGISLATIVE POWER OF AN Y COM M ON -WEALTH , C AN
DO WHAT IT WILL, AND DISPOSE OF THE E STATE S OF
THE SUBJECT ARBITRARILY , OR TAKE AN Y PART OF THE M
AT PLEASURE.”

“THE CHURCH WHICH TAUGHT M E N N OT TO KE E P FAITH

WITH HERETICS, HAD N O CLAIM TO TOLERATION . ”

“FAITH IS THE ASSENT TO AN Y PR OPOSITION N OT M ADE

OUT BY THE DEDUCTION OF RE ASON B UT UPON TH E
CREDIT OF THE PROPOSER . ”

“THERE ARE TWO SIDES, TWO PLAY E RS. ON E IS L IGHT,

THE OTHER IS DARK.”

“WITH BOOKS WE STAND ON THE SHOULDE RS OF

GIANTS.”

“WHEN WE KNOW OUR OWN STRE N GTH, WE SHALL THE

BETTER KNOW WHAT TO UN DE RTAKE WI TH HOP E S OF
SUCCESS…”
“DON' T LET THE THINGS Y OU DON ' T HAVE PR E VEN T Y OU
FROM USING WHAT YOU DO HAVE. ”

“THAT WHICH PARENTS S HOULD TAKE CARE OF. . . IS TO

DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE WAN TS OF FAN CY, AN D
THOSE OF NATURE.”

“AND THUS THE COMMUN ITY PERPETUALLY RE TAIN S A

SUPREME POWER OF SAVIN G THEM SE LVE S FROM THE
ATTEMPTS AND DESIGNS OF AN Y B ODY , E VEN OF THE IR
LEGISLATORS, WHENEVER THEY SHALL B E SO FOOL ISH,
OR SO WICKED, AS TO LAY AN D CARRY ON DE SIGN S
AGAINST THE LIBERTIES AN D PR OPERTIE S OF TH E
SUBJECT.”

“BOOKS SEEM TO ME TO B E PESTILEN T THI N GS, AN D

INFECT ALL THAT TRADE IN THEM . . . WI TH SOM E THIN G
VERY PERVERSE AND BRUTAL. PR IN TE RS, B IN DE RS,
SELLERS, AND OTHERS THAT M AKE A TRADE AN D GAIN
OUT OF THEM HAVE UNIVE RSALLY SO ODD A TURN AN D
CORRUPTION OF MIND THAT THEY HAVE A WAY OF
DEALING PECULIAR TO THEM SE LVE S, AN D N OT
CONFORMED TO THE GOOD OF SOCI E TY AN D THAT
GENERAL FAIRNESS WHICH CEM E N TS M AN KIN D. ”
“THE GREAT ART TO LEAR N M UCH IS TO UN DE RTAKE A
LITTLE AT A TIME.”
 SIDDĀRTHA GAUTAMA

A t a point between the 6-4th century BC, Siddhartha Gautama was

born in Lumbini, present day Nepal. He would go on to become
‘the enlightened one’ and thus the Buddha, founder of Buddhism.
It was prophesied that he would either become the emperor of India, or a
very holy man. He grew up as a prince living in bliss, protected from the
misfortunes and troubles of the outside world. When he left the comfort of
his abundant household, he was astounded to find the happenings and harsh
realities around him, sickness, poverty and death among them. Eventually,
he left his palace for good and was inspired by a holy man to go and seek
enlightenment - freedom from suffering. Six years later, he finally found it.
At some point, his wandering brought him to a tree which stood out to him.
Meditating under it, he found enlightenment and saw the world from afar
and his past lives, and understood the cycle of life, death and rebirth. He
gained supreme wisdom and from then on, he became the Buddha or the
‘awakened one’ and was called Shakyamuni Buddha. This is how
Buddhism was formed as a religion, although the king Ashoka spreading
the word around Asia, a couple centuries after the Buddha’s death, is a big
part of it becoming the size it is today.

The Buddha taught well into his old age, dying at around 80 years old. This
came shortly after he was offered a meal by a blacksmith named Cunda, but
it was found that the cause of death was not food poisoning, but rather
mesenteric root syndrome, a symptom of old age. The Buddha instructed
his attendant to inform the blacksmith that his meal would be a source of
the greatest merit as it would be the Buddha’s last meal. After the body was
cremated, the remains including bones were distributed as relics around
various north Indian kingdoms.
 Moderation

One shouldn’t bathe in luxury. The Buddha discovered that the thing that
connects all of creation, be it a distraught ant or dying human, is suffering.
At the same time, one should not abstain from comfort whatsoever, but
instead live in moderation. This is ‘madhyamā-pratipad’ or ‘the middle
way’.

Managing Attachment

Attachment is the root of all suffering, and therefore we can transcend

suffering by managing or removing our desires. The Buddha taught that we
must look to change our outlook over our circumstance and that the reason
people are unhappy is because they are greedy, insecure and vain. With
change in the mind, one can become content.

Cause and Effect

The Buddha taught that we receive exactly what we earn, whether that is
good or bad. This way, our thoughts and actions determine our life. This of
course, is called karma and in this way, science and Buddhism share
similarities, as the law of cause and effect is accepted in modern science.

5 Facts About The Buddha

1. The Mahaparinibbana Sutta, a scripture regarding the end of

Siddhartha Gautama’s life, depicts him saying he cannot promote
anyone to be his successor.
2. The Buddha is often depicted as chubby but this was actually not
the case, the reason for this portrayal is because it was symbolic of
happiness in the middle east.
3. The Buddha’s spot of enlightenment underneath the bodhi tree is
still preserved today. The bodhi tree is a symbol of Buddhism.
4. At the time, most monastic orders did not allow females to
participate; as one might expect, society in the middle east was
very male-dominated. The Buddha was a contrast of this, and
treated females equally.
5. The Buddha had no interest in gods, he believed they were not
relevant to the goal of enlightenment. Buddhism is the only main
religion today with no gods.
88 BUDDHA QUOTES

“DO NOT DWELL IN THE PAST, DO N OT DRE AM OF THE

FUTURE, CONCENTRATE THE M IN D ON THE PR E SE N T
MOMENT.”

“THE SECRET OF HEALTH FOR B OTH M IN D AN D B ODY IS

NOT TO MOURN FOR THE PAST, N OR TO WORRY AB OUT
THE FUTURE, BUT TO LIVE THE PR E SE N T M OM E N T
WISELY AND EARNESTLY.”

“EVERY MORNING WE ARE B ORN AGAIN . WHAT W E DO

TODAY IS WHAT MATTERS M OST. ”

“BE WHERE YOU ARE; OTHERWI SE Y OU WI LL M ISS Y OUR

LIFE.”

“WHAT YOU ARE IS WHAT Y OU HAVE B E E N . WHAT Y OU’ LL

BE IS WHAT YOU DO NOW. ”

“IT IS BETTER TO TRAVEL WELL THAN TO ARRIVE. ”

“NO ONE SAVES US BUT OURSE LVE S. N O ON E CAN AN D
NO ONE MAY. WE OURSELVE S M UST WALK THE PATH. ”

“A MAN IS NOT CALLED WISE B E CAUSE HE TALKS AN D

TALKS AGAIN; BUT IF HE IS PEACEFUL, LOVI N G AN D
FEARLESS THEN HE IS IN TRUTH CALLE D WI SE . ”

“PURITY OR IMPURITY DE PEN DS ON ON E SE LF, N O ON E

CAN PURIFY ANOTHER.”

“JUST AS A SNAKE SHEDS ITS SKIN , WE M UST SH E D OUR

PAST OVER AND OVER AGAIN . ”

“PEACE COMES FROM WITHIN . DO N OT SE E K IT

WITHOUT.”

“WHAT IS EVIL? KILLING IS E VI L, LYIN G IS E VI L,

SLANDERING IS EVIL, AB USE IS E VI L, GOSSIP IS E V IL ,
ENVY IS EVIL, HATRED IS E VI L, TO CLIN G TO FAL SE
DOCTRINE IS EVIL; ALL THE SE THI N GS ARE E VI L . AN D
WHAT IS THE ROOT OF EVIL? DE SIRE IS THE ROOT OF
EVIL, ILLUSION IS THE ROOT OF E VI L.”
“TO INSIST ON A SPIRITUAL PR ACTI CE THAT SE RVE D Y OU
IN THE PAST IS TO CARRY THE RAFT ON Y OUR B ACK
AFTER YOU HAVE CROSSE D THE RIVER. ”

“IF YOU FIND NO ONE TO SUPPORT Y OU ON THE

SPIRITUAL PATH, WALK ALON E . ”

“THE ONE IN WHOM NO LON GE R E XISTS THE CR AVIN G

AND THIRST THAT PERPETUATE B E COM IN G; HOW C OUL D
YOU TRACK THAT AWAKENE D ON E , TRACKLESS, AN D OF
LIMITLESS RANGE.”

“ENDURANCE IS ONE OF THE M OST DIFFICULT

DISCIPLINES, BUT IT IS TO THE ON E WHO E N DURE S
THAT THE FINAL VICTORY COM E S. ”

“WHEN YOU REALISE HOW PERFE CT E VERY THI N G IS Y OU

WILL TILT YOUR HEAD BACK AN D LAUGH AT THE SKY . ”

“THE FOOT FEELS THE FOOT WHE N IT FE E LS THE

GROUND.”

“ANGER WILL NEVER DISAPPE AR SO LON G AS TH OUGHTS

OF RESENTMENT ARE CH E RISHED IN THE M IN D. ”
“TRUE LOVE IS BORN FROM UN DE RSTAN DIN G. ”

“YOU, YOURSELF, AS MUCH AS AN Y B ODY IN THE E N TIRE

UNIVERSE, DESERVE YOUR LOVE AN D AFFE CTI ON . ”

“YOU ONLY LOSE WHAT YOU CLIN G TO. ”

“RADIATE BOUNDLESS LOVE TOWARDS THE E N TIRE

WORLD.”

“AMBITION IS LIKE LOVE, IM PATIE N T B OTH OF DE LAY S

AND RIVALS.”

“LOVE IS A GIFT OF ONE’ S IN N E RM OST SOUL TO

ANOTHER SO BOTH CAN B E WHOLE. ”

“HATRED DOES NOT CEASE B Y HATRE D, B UT ON LY B Y

LOVE; THIS IS THE ETERN AL RULE. ”

“JUST AS A MOTHER WOULD PR OTE CT HER ON LY CHIL D

WITH HER LIFE, EVEN SO LET ON E CULTI VATE A
BOUNDLESS LOVE TOWARDS ALL B E IN GS. ”
“THERE IS NOTHING SO DISOB E DIE N T AS AN
UNDISCIPLINED MIND, AND THERE IS N OTHI N G SO
OBEDIENT AS A DISCIPLIN E D M IN D. ”

“OUR LIFE IS SHAPED BY OUR THOUGHTS ; WE B E C OM E

WHAT WE THINK. WHEN THE M IN D IS PURE , JOY
FOLLOWS LIKE A SHADOW THAT N E VER LEAVES.
SUFFERING FOLLOWS AN E VI L THOUGHT AS THE
WHEELS OF A CART FOLLOW THE OXE N THAT DRAWS IT. ”

“WHATEVER A MONK KEEPS PURSUIN G WI TH HI S

THINKING AND PONDERI N G, THAT B E COM E S THE
INCLINATION OF HIS AWARE N E SS. ”

“NOTHING CAN HARM YOU AS M UCH AS Y OUR OW N

THOUGHTS UNGUARDED.”

“IN THE SKY, THERE IS NO DISTIN CTI ON OF E AST AN D

WEST; PEOPLE CREATE DISTIN CTI ON S OUT OF THE IR
OWN MINDS AND THEN BE LI E VE THEM TO B E TRUE . ”

“REMEMBERING A WRONG IS LI KE CARRY IN G A B URDE N

ON THE MIND.”
“HOLDING ON TO ANGER IS LI KE GRASPI N G A HOT COAL
WITH THE INTENT OF TH ROWI N G IT AT SOM E ON E E L SE ;
YOU ARE THE ONE WHO GE TS B URN E D. ”

“CHAOS IS INHERENT IN ALL COM POUN DE D THI N GS.

STRIVE ON WITH DILIGE N CE. ”

“IF YOUR COMPASSION DOE S N OT IN CLUDE Y OURSE LF,

IT IS INCOMPLETE.”

“THOUSANDS OF CANDLES CAN B E LI T FROM A SIN GL E

CANDLE, AND THE LIFE OF THE CAN DLE WI LL N OT B E
SHORTENED. HAPPINESS N E VER DE CR E ASE S B Y B E IN G
SHARED.”

“AS RAIN FALLS EQUALLY ON THE JUST AN D THE UN JUST,

DO NOT BURDEN YOUR HEART WI TH JUDGE M E N T B UT
RAIN YOUR KINDNESS EQ UALLY ON ALL. ”

“A GENEROUS HEART, KIND SPEE CH, AN D A LI FE OF

SERVICE AND COMPASSION ARE THE THI N GS WHICH
RENEW HUMANITY.”
“IF WE FAIL TO LOOK AFTE R OTHERS WHE N THEY N E E D
HELP, WHO WILL LOOK AFTER US? ”

“HAPPINESS COMES WHEN Y OUR WORK AN D WORDS ARE

OF BENEFIT TO OTHERS.”

“GIVE, EVEN IF YOU ONLY HAVE A LI TTLE. ”

“YOU WILL NOT BE PUNISHED FOR Y OUR AN GE R, Y OU

WILL BE PUNISHED BY YOUR AN GE R. ”

“LIFE IS SO VERY DIFFICULT. HOW CAN WE B E AN Y THIN G

BUT KIND?”

“WE WILL DEVELOP AND CULTI VATE THE LI B E RATION OF

MIND BY LOVING KINDNESS, M AKE IT OUR VEHI C L E ,
MAKE IT OUR BASIS, STABILI SE IT, E XE RCI SE OURSE L VE S
IN IT, AND FULLY PERFECT IT. ”

“BETTER THAN A THOUSAND HOLLOW WORDS, IS ON E

WORD THAT BRINGS PEACE. ”
“WHATEVER WORDS WE UTTE R SHOULD B E CHOSE N
WITH CARE FOR PEOPLE WI LL HEAR THEM AN D B E
INFLUENCED BY THEM FOR GOOD OR ILL. ”

“THE TONGUE LIKE A SH ARP KN IFE KILLS WI THOUT

DRAWING BLOOD.”

“BETTER THAN A THOUSAND HOLLOW WORDS IS ON E

WORD THAT BRINGS PEACE. ”

“IF YOU PROPOSE TO SPEAK, ALWAY S ASK Y OURSE L F; IS

IT TRUE, IS IT NECESSAR Y , IS IT KIN D. ”

“LIKE A FINE FLOWER, BEAUTIFUL TO LOOK AT B UT

WITHOUT SCENT, FINE WORDS ARE FRUITLESS IN A M AN
WHO DOES NOT ACT IN ACCORDAN CE WI TH THEM . ”

“SPEAK ONLY ENDEARIN G SPEE CH, SPEE CH THAT IS

WELCOMED. SPEECH, WHE N IT B RIN GS N O E VI L TO
OTHERS, IS A PLEASANT THI N G. ”
“THERE IS NOTHING MORE DRE ADFUL THAN THE H AB IT
OF DOUBT. DOUBT SEPARATE S PEOPLE . IT IS A POISON
THAT DISINTEGRATES FRIE N DSHI PS AN D B RE AKS UP
PLEASANT RELATIONS. IT IS A THORN THAT IRRITATE S
AND HURTS; IT IS A SWOR D THAT KILLS. ”

“EVEN AS A SOLID ROCK I S UN SHAKE N B Y THE WIN D, SO

ARE THE WISE UNSHAKEN B Y PR AISE OR B LAM E . ”

“AN IDEA THAT IS DEVELOPED AN D PUT IN TO AC TION IS

MORE IMPORTANT THAN AN IDE A THAT E XISTS ON L Y AS
AN IDEA.”

“BELIEVE NOTHING, NO MATTE R WHE RE Y OU RE AD IT,

OR WHO SAID IT, NO MATTER IF I HAVE SAID IT, UN LE SS
IT AGREES WITH YOUR OWN RE ASON AN D Y OUR OW N
COMMON SENSE.”

“IF YOU DO NOT CHANGE DIRE CTI ON , Y OU M AY E N D UP

WHERE YOU ARE HEADIN G. ”

“JUST AS THE GREAT OCEAN HAS ON E TASTE , TH E TASTE

OF SALT, SO ALSO THIS TE ACHIN G AN D DISCI PLIN E HAS
ONE TASTE, THE TASTE OF LI B E RATION . ”
“LONG IS THE NIGHT TO HI M WHO IS AWAKE ; LON G IS A
MILE TO HIM WHO IS TIRED; LON G IS LI FE TO THE
FOOLISH WHO DO NOT KN OW THE TRUE LAW.”

“OUR THEORIES OF THE E TE RN AL ARE AS VALUAB L E AS

THOSE WHICH A CHICK WHICH HAS N OT B ROKE N ITS
WAY THROUGH ITS SHELL M IGHT FORM OF THE OUTSIDE
WORLD.”

“PAIN IS CERTAIN, SUFFERIN G IS OPTI ON AL.”

“HAVE COMPASSION FOR ALL B E IN GS, RICH AN D P OOR

ALIKE; EACH HAS THEIR SUFFE RIN G. SOM E SUFFE R TOO
MUCH, OTHERS TOO LITTLE. ”

“DOUBT EVERYTHING. FI N D Y OUR OWN LI GHT.”

“IF YOU TRULY LOVED YOURSE LF, Y OU COULD N E VE R

HURT ANOTHER.”

“DO NOT LOOK FOR A SAN CTUARY IN AN Y ON E E XC E PT

YOURSELF.”
“THERE IS NO FIRE LIKE PASSION , THERE IS N O SH ARK
LIKE HATRED, THERE IS N O SN ARE LI KE FOLLY , THE RE IS
NO TORRENT LIKE GREED. ”

“SET YOUR HEART ON DOIN G GOOD. DO IT OVER AN D

OVER AGAIN, AND YOU WILL B E FILLE D WI TH JOY . ”

“MOST PROBLEMS, IF YOU GIVE THEM E N OUGH TIM E

AND SPACE, WILL EVENTUALLY WEAR THEM SE LVE S
OUT.”

“IRRIGATORS CHANNEL WATE RS; FLETCHE RS

STRAIGHTEN ARROWS; C ARPEN TE RS B E N D WOOD; THE
WISE MASTER THEMSELVE S. ”

“DROP BY DROP IS THE WATE R POT FILLE D. LI KE W ISE ,

THE WISE MAN, GATHERIN G IT LI TTLE B Y LI TTLE, FIL L S
HIMSELF WITH GOOD.”

“YOUR WORK IS TO DISCOVER Y OUR WORLD AN D TH E N

WITH ALL YOUR HEART GI VE Y OURSE LF TO IT. ”

“SHE WHO KNOWS LIFE FLOWS , FE E LS N O WEAR OR

TEAR, NEEDS NO MENDI N G OR RE PAIR. ”
“I AM THE MIRACLE.”

“LET US RISE UP AND BE THAN KFUL, FOR IF WE DIDN ’ T

LEARN A LOT AT LEAST WE LEARN E D A LI TTLE, AN D IF
WE DIDN’ T LEARN A LITTLE, AT LEAST WE DIDN ’ T GE T
SICK, AND IF WE GOT SICK, AT LEAST WE DIDN ’ T DIE ;
SO, LET US ALL BE THANKFUL.”

“THE WAY IS NOT IN THE SKY . THE WAY IS IN THE

HEART.”

“TO LIVE A PURE UNSELFISH LI FE , ON E M UST COUN T

NOTHING AS ONE’ S OWN IN THE M IDST OF
ABUNDANCE.”

“THERE IS NO FEAR FOR ON E WHOSE M IN D IS N OT

FILLED WITH DESIRES.”

“MEDITATE… DO NOT DELAY , LEST Y OU LATE R RE GRE T

IT.”

“ARDENTLY DO TODAY WHAT M UST B E DON E . WHO

KNOWS? TOMORROW, DEATH COM E S. ”
“LIVE EVERY ACT FULLY, AS IF IT WERE Y OUR LAST. ”

“TO BE IDLE IS A SHORT ROAD TO DE ATH AN D TO B E

DILIGENT IS A WAY OF LIFE ; FOOLI SH PEOPLE ARE IDLE ,
WISE PEOPLE ARE DILIGEN T. ”

“ONE WHO ACTS ON TRUTH IS HAPPY IN THI S WORL D

AND BEYOND.”

“A MAN ASKED GAUTAMA B UDDHA, ‘ I WAN T HAPPIN E SS. ’

BUDDHA SAID, ‘ FIRST REM OVE I, THAT’ S E GO, THE N
REMOVE WANT, THAT’ S DE SIRE . SE E N OW Y OU ARE LE FT
WITH ONLY HAPPINESS.’ ”

“TO SUPPORT MOTHER AN D FATHER, TO CHE RISH WIFE

AND CHILD AND TO HAVE A SIM PLE LI VELI HOOD; TH IS
IS GOOD LUCK.”

“AN INSINCERE AND EVIL FRIE N D IS M ORE TO B E

FEARED THAN A WILD BEAST; A WI LD B E AST M AY
WOUND YOUR BODY, BUT AN E VI L FRIE N D WI LL W OUN D
YOUR MIND.”
“SHOULD A SEEKER NOT FIN D A COM PAN ION WHO IS
BETTER OR EQUAL, LET THE M RE SOLUTE LY PURSUE A
SOLITARY COURSE.”

“HE WHO LOVES 50 PEOPLE HAS 50 WOE S; HE WHO

LOVES NO ONE HAS NO WOE S. ”

“ONE IS NOT CALLED NOB LE WHO HARM S LI VI N G

BEINGS. BY NOT HARMING LI VI N G B E IN GS ON E IS
CALLED NOBLE.”
 EPICTETUS

E pictetus was a Greek philosopher who was born circa 50 AD, in

Hierapolis - now Pamukkale, in Turkey. He was born a slave and
grew up in Rome enslaved to the secretary of the Emperor Nero,
an unlikely beginning for one of the greatest philosophers whose wisdom
has stood the test of time; his owner, Epaphroditus, gave him permission to
pursue liberal studies, which eventually led to him becoming a student of
the Stoic Gaius Musonius Rufus. Following Nero’s death in 68 AD,
Epictetus was freed and went on to teach philosophy in Rome, his
credibility assured by his mentor. This came to an abrupt end in 93 AD,
when Emperor Domitian famously banished all philosophers from Rome.
Epictetus spent the rest of his life in Nicopolis in Greece where he founded
a school of philosophy, and taught there until his death.
Naturally as a student of Musonius Rufus, Epictetus was a believer and
practitioner of Stoicism, a philosophy of personal ethics which can be
traced as far back as 300 BC, founded by the Hellenistic philosopher Zeno
of Citium. The 4 virtues of Stoicism are wisdom, courage, justice, and
moderation. What’s fascinating about this philosophy is that three of its
most renowned practitioners, Epictetus, Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius
and Seneca, advisor to an emperor as well as a playwright and of the richest
people in the Roman Empire. They were born worlds apart in social status,
in fact there were no greater extremes in social status at the time than a
slave and an emperor. The significance of this is it demonstrates the power
of Stoicism, providing principles that do not discriminate and prove
impactful, no matter where the person stands in life.

Acceptance

The importance of distinguishing what is and what isn’t under our control.
There are many things that are out of our control and we must let go and
accept them for what they are, rather than allowing them to bring out
negative emotions like anger and sadness. This also works, on the other
hand, as a reminder that our actions, choices, words and emotions are all
things that are in our control.

Leading With Actions

Actions speak louder than words, and one must set the example of how to
be - the greatest leaders rarely speak of how things should be done, but
rather their actions are what leads.

Conforming to a Character

Epictetus knew and taught that we as humans are creatures of habit and
spend most of our lives acting accordingly, because of the character of
ourselves we have in our heads - this leads to a tendency for us to think the
ways we have are set in stone. Consequently, Epictetus advised his students
to set themselves a set of principles and standards and not deviate from
them, as a matter of general life. Although this requires active effort and
discipline, it is what brings us closer to the character we wish to be, or to
embody the personal qualities we would aspire to have.

5 Facts About Epictetus

1. Epictetus never actually wrote anything; his teachings have lasted

through time because of his student Arrian scribing his wisdom.
2. Discourses is a series of eight books consisting of Epictetus’s
teachings written down by Arrian, on a diverse range of subjects
such as poverty, illness and anger. However, only four of the eight
remain extant.
3. Albert Ellis, the psychologist who founded Cognitive Behavioural
Therapy, was influenced by Epictetus.
4. Celsus, a younger contemporary of Epictetus, recounted that
Epaphroditus once tortured Epictetus by twisting his leg. Epictetus
endured it with patience, warning his master that his leg would
break. When it did, he told Epaphroditus “Did I not tell you it
would break?”. As a result, he was crippled for life.
5. In his old age he adopted a friend’s child who would have been
otherwise left to die.
82 EPICTETUS QUOTES

“THE KEY IS TO KEEP COM PAN Y ON LY WI TH PEOPL E

WHO UPLIFT YOU, WHOSE PR E SE N CE CALLS FORTH Y OUR
BEST.”

“IS FREEDOM ANYTHING E LS E THAN THE RIGHT TO L IVE

AS WE WISH? NOTHING E LS E . ”

“KNOW, FIRST, WHO YOU ARE , AN D THEN ADORN

YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY. ”

“WE SHOULD NOT MOOR A SHI P WI TH ON E AN CHOR, OR

OUR LIFE WITH ONE HOPE . ”

“IT' S NOT WHAT HAPPENS TO Y OU, B UT HOW Y OU RE AC T

TO IT THAT MATTERS.”

“IT TAKES MORE THAN JUST A GOOD LOOKIN G B ODY .

YOU' VE GOT TO HAVE THE HEART AN D SOUL TO GO WITH
IT.”
“THE PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO THE TRUTH AS THE Y
HAVE A RIGHT TO LIFE, LIB E RTY AN D THE PURSUIT OF
HAPPINESS.”

“KEEP SILENCE FOR THE M OST PART, AN D SPEAK ON L Y

WHEN YOU MUST, AND THEN B RIE FLY. ”

“IT IS THE NATURE OF THE WI SE TO RE SIST PLE ASURE S,

BUT THE FOOLISH TO BE A SLAVE TO THEM . ”

“IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO BEGIN TO LEARN THAT WHIC H

ONE THINKS ONE ALREADY KN OWS . ”

“SEEK NOT GOOD FROM WI THOUT; SE E K IT WI THIN

YOURSELVES, OR YOU WILL N E VER FIN D IT. ”

“WE TELL LIES, YET IT IS E ASY TO SHOW THAT LYIN G IS

IMMORAL.”

“PEOPLE ARE NOT DISTURB E D B Y THI N GS, B UT B Y THE

VIEW THEY TAKE OF THE M . ”
“PRACTICE YOURSELF, FOR HEAVEN ' S SAKE IN LI TTLE
THINGS, AND THEN PROCEE D TO GRE ATE R. ”

“IF THY BROTHER WRON GS THEE , RE M E M B E R N OT SO

MUCH HIS WRONG-DOING, B UT M ORE THAN E VER THAT
HE IS THY BROTHER.”

“IMAGINE FOR YOURSELF A CHARACTER, A M ODE L

PERSONALITY, WHOSE EXAM PLE Y OU DE TE RM IN E TO
FOLLOW, IN PRIVATE AS WELL AS IN PUB LI C.”

“NEVER IN ANY CASE SAY I HAVE LOST SUCH A THIN G,

BUT I HAVE RETURNED I T. IS Y OUR CHILD DE AD? IT IS A
RETURN. IS YOUR WIFE DE AD? IT IS A RE TURN . ARE Y OU
DEPRIVED OF YOUR ESTATE ? IS THI S N OT ALS O A
RETURN?”

“THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO HAPPIN E SS AN D THAT IS

TO CEASE WORRYING AB OUT THI N GS WHICH ARE
BEYOND THE POWER OF OUR WI LL. ”

“IF EVIL BE SPOKEN OF YOU AN D IT B E TRUE , CORRE CT

YOURSELF, IF IT BE A LIE , LAUGH AT IT. ”
“NOTHING GREAT IS CREATE D SUDDE N LY, AN Y M ORE
THAN A BUNCH OF GRAPE S OR A FIG. IF Y OU TE L L M E
THAT YOU DESIRE A FIG. I AN SWER Y OU THAT THE RE
MUST BE TIME. LET IT FI RST B LOSSOM , THEN B E AR
FRUIT, THEN RIPEN.”

“BE CAREFUL TO LEAVE YOUR SON S WELL IN STRUCTE D

RATHER THAN RICH, FOR THE HOPES OF THE
INSTRUCTED ARE BETTE R THAN THE WEALTH OF TH E
IGNORANT.”

“FIRST LEARN THE MEAN IN G OF WHAT Y OU SAY , AN D

THEN SPEAK.”

“WEALTH CONSISTS NOT IN HAVI N G GRE AT

POSSESSIONS, BUT IN HAVI N G FE W WAN TS. ”

“THE TWO POWERS WHICH IN M Y OPI N ION CON STITUTE

A WISE MAN ARE THOSE OF B E ARIN G AN D FORB E ARIN G. ”

“IF YOU WANT TO IMPROVE, B E CON TE N T TO B E

THOUGHT FOOLISH AND STUPI D. ”
“NOT EVERY DIFFICULT AND DAN GE ROUS THI N G IS
SUITABLE FOR TRAINING, B UT ON LY THAT WHICH IS
CONDUCIVE TO SUCCESS IN ACHIE VI N G THE OB JE CT OF
OUR EFFORT.”

“THE WORLD TURNS ASIDE TO LET AN Y M AN PASS WHO

KNOWS WHERE HE IS GOI N G. ”

“WHENEVER YOU ARE ANGRY , B E ASSURE D THAT IT IS

NOT ONLY A PRESENT EVI L, B UT THAT Y OU HAVE
INCREASED A HABIT.”

“ALL RELIGIONS MUST BE TOLERATE D. . . FOR E VERY M AN

MUST GET TO HEAVEN IN HI S OWN WAY . ”

“HE IS A WISE MAN WHO DOE S N OT GRIE VE FOR THE

THINGS WHICH HE HAS N OT, B UT RE JOICES FOR THOSE
WHICH HE HAS.”

“IF ONE OVERSTEPS THE B OUN DS OF M ODE RATION , TH E

GREATEST PLEASURES C E ASE TO PLE ASE . ”
“IF VIRTUE PROMISES HAPPIN E SS, PR OSPERITY AN D
PEACE, THEN PROGRESS IN VI RTUE IS PR OGRE SS IN
EACH OF THESE FOR TO WHATE VER POIN T THE
PERFECTION OF ANYTHI N G B RIN GS US, PR OGRE SS IS
ALWAYS AN APPROACH TOWARD IT. ”

“IT IS NOT DEATH OR PAI N THAT IS TO B E DRE ADE D, B UT

THE FEAR OF PAIN OR DE ATH.”

“IT IS NOT HE WHO REVILES OR STRIKE S Y OU WHO

INSULTS YOU, BUT YOUR OPI N ION THAT THESE TH IN GS
ARE INSULTING.”

“TO ACCUSE OTHERS FOR ON E ' S OWN M ISFORTUN E S IS A

SIGN OF A LACK OF EDUCATION . TO ACCUSE ON E SE L F
SHOWS THAT ONE' S EDUCATION HAS B E GUN . TO AC CUSE
NEITHER ONESELF NOR OTHERS SHOWS THAT ON E ' S
EDUCATION IS COMPLETE . ”

“THE GREATER THE DIFFICULTY THE M ORE GLORY IN

SURMOUNTING IT. SKILFUL PI LOTS GAIN THEIR
REPUTATION FROM STOR M S AN D TE M PESTS. ”

“MAKE THE BEST USE OF WHAT IS IN Y OUR POWER, AN D

TAKE THE REST AS IT HAPPEN S. ”
“HE IS A DRUNKARD WHO TAKE S M ORE THAN THRE E
GLASSES THOUGH HE IS N OT DRUN K. ”

“YOU ARE A LITTLE SOUL CARRY IN G AROUN D A C ORP SE . ”

“DIFFICULTIES ARE THINGS THAT SHOW A PERSON

WHAT THEY ARE.”

“THERE IS NOTHING GOOD OR E VI L SAVE IN THE WIL L . ”

“YOU MAY BE ALWAYS VI CTORIOUS IF Y OU WI LL N E V E R

ENTER INTO ANY CONTEST WHE RE THE ISSUE DOE S N OT
WHOLLY DEPEND UPON Y OURSE LF.”

“ALL PHILOSOPHY LIES I N TWO WORDS, SUSTAIN AN D

ABSTAIN.”

“DO NOT SEEK TO BRING THI N GS TO PASS IN

ACCORDANCE WITH YOUR WI SHES, B UT WI SH FOR THE M
AS THEY ARE, AND YOU WILL FIN D THEM . ”
“IF YOU SEEK TRUTH YOU WI LL N OT SE E K VI CTORY B Y
DISHONOURABLE MEANS, AN D IF Y OU FIN D TRUTH Y OU
WILL BECOME INVINCIBLE. ”

“UNLESS WE PLACE OUR RE LI GION AN D OUR TRE ASURE

IN THE SAME THING, RELI GION WI LL ALWAY S B E
SACRIFICED.”

“THE ESSENCE OF PHILOSOPHY IS THAT A M AN SHOUL D

SO LIVE THAT HIS HAPPIN E SS SHALL DE PEN D AS L ITTL E
AS POSSIBLE ON EXTERN AL THI N GS. ”

“NO MAN IS FREE WHO IS N OT M ASTE R OF HI M SE L F. ”

“WE ARE NOT TO GIVE CRE DIT TO THE M AN Y , WHO SAY

THAT NONE OUGHT TO BE E DUCATE D B UT THE FRE E ;
BUT RATHER TO THE PHI LOSOPHE RS, WHO SAY THAT
THE WELL-EDUCATED ALON E ARE FRE E . ”

“IF YOU WISH TO BE A WRITE R, WR ITE . ”

“WHEN YOU ARE OFFENDE D AT AN Y M AN ' S FAULT , TURN

TO YOURSELF AND STUDY Y OUR OWN FAILI N GS. TH E N
YOU WILL FORGET YOUR AN GE R. ”
“WHOEVER DOES NOT REGARD WHAT HE HAS AS M OST
AMPLE WEALTH, IS UNHAPPY , THOUGH HE B E M ASTE R
OF THE WORLD.”

“FREEDOM IS NOT PROCURE D B Y A FULL E N JOY M E N T OF

WHAT IS DESIRED, BUT BY CON TROLLIN G THE DE SIRE . ”

“IF YOU DESIRE TO BE GOOD, B E GIN B Y B E LI E VI N G TH AT

YOU ARE WICKED.”

“ONE THAT DESIRES TO EXCEL SHOULD E N DE AVOUR IN

THOSE THINGS THAT AR E IN THEM SE LVE S M OST
EXCELLENT.”

“I HAVE A LANTERN. YOU STE AL M Y LAN TE RN . W HAT,

THEN, IS YOUR HONOUR WORTH N O M ORE TO Y OU TH AN
THE PRICE OF MY LANTERN ? ”
“REMEMBER THAT YOU AR E AN ACTOR IN A DRAM A, OF
SUCH A PART AS IT MAY PLE ASE THE M ASTE R TO ASSIGN
YOU, FOR A LONG TIME OR FOR A LI TTLE AS HE M AY
CHOOSE. AND IF HE WILL TAKE THE PART OF A POOR
MAN, OR A CRIPPLE, OR A RULER, OR A PR IVATE C ITIZE N ,
THEN MAY YOU ACT THAT PART WI TH GRACE! FOR TO
ACT WELL THE PART THAT IS ALLOTTE D TO US, TH AT
INDEED IS OURS TO DO, B UT TO CHOOSE IT IS
ANOTHER’ S.”

“WE MUST NOT BELIEVE THE M AN Y , WHO SAY TH AT

ONLY FREE PEOPLE OUGHT TO B E E DUCATE D, B UT WE
SHOULD RATHER BELIEVE THE PHILOSOPHE RS W HO SAY
THAT ONLY THE EDUCATE D ARE FRE E . ”

“DIFFICULTIES SHOW ME N WHAT THEY ARE . IN C ASE OF

ANY DIFFICULTY REMEM B E R THAT GOD HAS PI TTE D Y OU
AGAINST A ROUGH ANTAGON IST THAT Y OU M AY B E A
CONQUEROR, AND THIS CAN N OT B E WI THOUT TOIL . ”
“SO YOU WISH TO CONQUE R IN THE OLYM PI C GAM E S, M Y
FRIEND? AND I TOO, BY THE GODS, AN D A FIN E TH IN G IT
WOULD BE! BUT FIRST MARK THE CON DITION S AN D TH E
CONSEQUENCES, AND THE N SE T TO WORK. Y OU WIL L
HAVE TO PUT YOURSELF UN DE R DISCI PLIN E ; TO E AT B Y
RULE, TO AVOID CAKES AND SWEE TM E ATS; TO TAKE
EXERCISE AT THE APPOINTE D HOUR WHE THER Y OU L IKE
IT OR NO, IN COLD AND HEAT; TO AB STAIN FROM COL D
DRINKS AND FROM WINE AT Y OUR WI LL; IN A WORD, TO
GIVE YOURSELF OVER TO THE TRAIN E R AS TO A
PHYSICIAN. THEN IN THE CON FLI CT ITSE LF Y OU ARE
LIKELY ENOUGH TO DISLOCATE Y OUR WR IST OR TWIST
YOUR ANKLE, TO SWALLOW A GRE AT DE AL OF DUST, OR
TO BE SEVERELY THRASHE D, AN D, AFTE R ALL THE SE
THINGS, TO BE DEFEATED. ”

“A STRICT BELIEF, FATE IS THE WORST KIN D OF

SLAVERY; ON THE OTHER HAN D THERE IS COM FORT IN
THE THOUGHT THAT GOD WI LL B E M OVED B Y OUR
PRAYERS.”

“DO NOT SEEK TO HAVE EVEN TS HAPPE N AS Y OU WAN T

THEM TO, BUT INSTEAD WAN T THEM TO HAPPE N AS
THEY DO HAPPEN, AND YOUR LI FE WI LL GO WEL L . ”
“WHAT MATTERS MOST I S WHAT SORT OF PERSON Y OU
ARE BECOMING. WISE INDIVI DUALS CARE ON LY AB OUT
WHOM THEY ARE TODAY AN D WHO THEY CAN B E
TOMORROW.”

“EMBRACE REALITY. THI N K AB OUT WHAT DE LI GHTS Y OU

- THE SMALL LUXURIES ON WHICH Y OU DE PEN D, THE
PEOPLE WHOM YOU CHER ISH M OST. B UT RE M E M B E R
THAT THEY HAVE THEIR OWN DISTIN CT CHARAC TE R,
WHICH IS QUITE A SEPARATE M ATTE R FROM HOW WE
HAPPEN TO REGARD THEM . ”

“NEVER DEPEND ON THE ADM IRATION OF OTHERS FOR

SELF-SATISFACTION. IT IS A FACT OF LI FE THAT OTH E R
PEOPLE, EVEN PEOPLE WHO LOVE Y OU, WI LL N OT
NECESSARILY AGREE WI TH Y OUR IDE AS, UN DE RSTAN D
YOU ALWAYS, OR SHARE Y OUR E N THUSIASM S. ”

“WHEN YOUR THOUGHTS, WORDS, AN D DE E DS FORM A

SEAMLESS FABRIC, YOU STRE AM LI N E Y OUR E FFORTS
AND THUS ELIMINATE WORRY AN D DRE AD. ”

“THE UNIVERSE IS BUT ON E GRE AT CI TY , FULL OF

BELOVED ONES, DIVINE AN D HUM AN , B Y N ATURE
ENDEARED TO EACH OTH E R. ”
“IT’ S TIME TO STOP BEIN G VAGUE . IF Y OU WI SH TO B E
AN EXTRAORDINARY PERSON , IF Y OU WI SH TO B E W ISE ,
THEN YOU SHOULD EXPLICI TLY IDE N TIFY THE KIN D OF
PERSON YOU ASPIRE TO BE COM E . ”

“IT IS NOT A DEMONSTRATION OF KIN DN E SS OR

FRIENDSHIP TO THE PEOPLE WE CARE AB OUT TO JOIN
THEM IN INDULGING IN WR ON GHEADE D, N E GATIV E
FEELINGS. WE DO A BETTE R SE RVI CE TO OURSE LVE S
AND OTHERS BY REMAININ G DE TACHE D AN D AVOIDIN G
MELODRAMATIC REACTION S. ”

“YOU ARE BUT AN APPEARAN CE, AN D N OT AB SOL UTE L Y

THE THING YOU APPEAR TO B E . ”

“TENTATIVE EFFORTS LEAD TO TE N TATIVE OUTCOM E S. ”

“IT IS NOT HE WHO GIVES AB USE THAT AFFRON TS, B UT

THE VIEW THAT WE TAKE OF IT AS IN SULTI N G; SO TH AT
WHEN ONE PROVOKES YOU IT IS Y OUR OWN OPI N ION
WHICH IS PROVOKING.”

“IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THR OUGH HI S B LOOD,

THE FORGIVENESS OF OUR TRE SPASSE S, ACCORDIN G TO
THE RICHES OF HIS GRACE. ”
“NOTHING IS IN REALITY E ITHER PLE ASAN T OR
UNPLEASANT BY NATURE B UT ALL THI N GS B E COM E SO
THROUGH HABIT.”

“YOUR MASTER IS HE WHO CON TROLS THAT ON W HICH

YOU HAVE SET YOUR HEART OR WI SH TO AVOID. ”

“DON’ T CONSENT TO BE HURT AN D Y OU WON ’ T B E H URT

– THIS IS A CHOICE OVER WHICH Y OU HAVE CON TROL . ”

“IF YOU HAVE ASSUMED A CHARACTER AB OVE Y OUR

STRENGTH, YOU HAVE BOTH ACTED IN THI S M ATTE R IN
AN UNBECOMING WAY, AND Y OU HAVE N E GLECT E D THAT
WHICH YOU MIGHT HAVE FULFI LLE D. ”

“EACH MAN' S LIFE IS A KI N D OF CAM PAIGN , AN D A L ON G

AND COMPLICATED ONE AT THAT. Y OU HAVE TO
MAINTAIN THE CHARACTE R OF A SOLDIE R, AN D DO E ACH
SEPARATE ACT AT THE BIDDIN G OF THE GE N E RAL . ”

“NOTHING GREAT COMES IN TO B E IN G ALL AT ON CE . ”

“SICKNESS IS A HINDRAN CE TO THE B ODY , B UT N OT TO
YOUR ABILITY TO CHOOSE , UN LESS THAT IS Y OUR
CHOICE. LAMENESS IS A HI N DRAN CE TO THE LEG, B UT
NOT TO YOUR ABILITY TO CHOOSE . SAY THI S TO
YOURSELF WITH REGARD TO E VERY THI N G THAT
HAPPENS, THEN YOU WILL SE E SUCH OB STACLE S AS
HINDRANCES TO SOMETHI N G E LS E , B UT N OT TO
YOURSELF.”

“NEVER LOOK FOR YOUR WORK IN ON E PLACE AN D Y OUR

PROGRESS IN ANOTHER.”

“IN THEORY IT IS EASY TO CON VI N CE AN IGN ORAN T

PERSON; IN ACTUAL LIFE, M E N N OT ON LY OB JE CT TO
OFFERING THEMSELVES TO B E CON VI N CED, B UT HATE
THE MAN WHO HAS CON VI N CED THEM . ”
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