Quotes
It's how creativity works. Especially in humans. For every good idea, ten thousand idiotic ones must first be posed, sifted, tried out, and discarded. A mind that's afraid to toy with the ridiculous will never come up with the brilliantly original. https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/David_Brin
When a wise man does not understand, he says: "I do not understand." The fool and the uncultured are ashamed of their ignorance. They remain silent when a question could bring them wisdom. Frank Herbert (8 October 1920 – 11 February 1986) was an American science-fiction writer.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Frank_Herbert
People who think they know everything really annoy those of us who know we don't. Bjarne Stroustrup's FAQ: Did you really say that?. Retrieved on 2007-11-15.
If you think it's simple, then you have misunderstood the problem.
Bjarne Stroustrup's FAQ: Did you really say that?. Retrieved on 2007-11-15.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bjarne_Stroustrup#/random
The great success of this system is that it makes the general public afraid of taking responsibility, afraid of taking a position or giving a definite answer, or even of making mistakes.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Ai_Weiwei#/random
That is what learning is. You suddenly understand something you've understood all your life, but in a new way. The Four-Gated City (1969)
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Doris_Lessing
As a rule we disbelieve all the facts and theories for which we have no use. "The Will to Believe" p. 10
Out of my experience, such as it is (and it is limited enough) one fixed conclusion dogmatically emerges, and that is this, that we with our lives are like islands in the sea, or like trees in the forest. The maple and the pine may whisper to each other with their leaves. … But the trees also commingle their roots in the darkness underground, and the islands also hang together through the ocean's bottom. Just so there is a continuum of cosmic consciousness, against which our individuality builds but accidental fences, and into which our several minds plunge as into a mother-sea or reservoir.
"Confidences of a 'Psychical Researcher'", in The American Magazine, Vol. 68 (1909), p. 589
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/William_James#/random
I think people in power have a vested interest to oppose critical thinking. Carl Sagan: 'Science Is a Way of Thinking', Science Friday interview from May 1996, 27 December 2013
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Carl_Sagan
Creating is always so much more stimulating than destroying.
p. 107 (Vintage 2003)
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Saramago
The very reason [the Greeks] got so far is that they knew how to pick up the spear and throw it onward from the point where others had left it. Their skill in the art of fruitful learning was admirable. We ought to be learning from our neighbors precisely as the Greeks learned from theirs, not for the sake of learned pedantry but rather using everything we learn as a foothold which will take us up as high, and higher, than our neighbor.
Friedrich Nietzsche, Philosophy in the Tragic Age of the Greeks, Marianne Cowan trans., p. 30
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pedantry#/random
"In truth," says Machiavelli, "there has never been, in any country, an extraordinary legislator who has not had recourse to God; for otherwise his laws would not have been accepted: there are, in fact, many useful truths of which a wise man may have knowledge without their having in themselves such clear reasons for their being so as to be able to convince others".
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Social_Contract#/random
Believing in an idea is dangerous! Because belief is absolute, and absolute, is unconditional, it is supreme, its ultimate and therefore fixed, which by definition will never be acceptable to change.' Belief. www.blogspot.com.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Joshua_Fernandez#/random
He whose honor is rooted in popular approval must, day by day, anxiously strive, act, and scheme in order to retain his reputation. For the populace is variable and inconstant, so that, if a reputation be not kept up, it quickly withers away. Everyone wishes to catch popular applause for himself, and readily represses the fame of others. The object of the strife being estimated as the greatest of all goods, each combatant is seized with a fierce desire to put down his rivals in every possible way, till he who at last comes out victorious is more proud of having done harm to others than of having done good to himself. This sort of honor, then, is really empty, being nothing. ~ Baruch Spinoza ~ in ~ Ethics ~
Quote of the day wikiquote.com
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Baruch_Spinoza
And leaving the most powerful of weapons — thought and its expression — which move the world, each man employs the weapon of social activity, not noticing that every social activity is based on the very foundations against which he is bound to fight, and that upon entering the social activity which exists in our world every man is obliged, if only in part, to deviate from the truth and to make concessions which destroy the force of the powerful weapon which should assist him in the struggle. It is as if a man, who was given a blade so marvelously keen that it would sever anything, should use its edge for driving in nails.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Leo_Tolstoy#
In the upper, rich, more educated classes of European society doubt arose as to the truth of that understanding of life which was expressed by Church Christianity. When, after the Crusades and the maximum development of papal power and its abuses, people of the rich classes became acquainted with the wisdom of the classics and saw, on the one hand, the reasonable lucidity of the teachings of the ancient sages, and on the other hand, the incompatibility of the Church doctrine with the teaching of Christ, they found it impossible to continue to believe the Church teaching.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Leo_Tolstoy#
I know that most men — not only those considered clever, but even those who are very clever and capable of understanding most difficult scientific, mathematical, or philosophic, problems — can seldom discern even the simplest and most obvious truth if it be such as obliges them to admit the falsity of conclusions they have formed, perhaps with much difficulty — conclusions of which they are proud, which they have taught to others, and on which they have built their lives.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Leo_Tolstoy#
Reasoning will never make a man correct an ill opinion, which by reasoning he never acquired... Letter to a Young Clergyman (January 9, 1720), on proving Christianity to unbelievers
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jonathan_Swift
This evil fortune, which generally attends extraordinary men in the management of great affairs, has been imputed to divers causes, that need not be here set down, when so obvious a one occurs, if what a certain writer observes be true, that when a great genius appears in the world the dunces are all in confederacy against him. Essay on the Fates of Clergymen (1728)
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jonathan_Swift
Living virtuously is equal to living in accordance with one's experience of the actual course of nature As quoted by Diogenes Laërtius, vii. 182.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Chrysippus#/random
Wise people are in want of nothing, and yet need many things. On the other hand, nothing is needed by fools, for they do not understand how to use anything, but are in want of everything. As quoted in Moral Epistles by Seneca, iii. 10.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Chrysippus#/random
He who is running a race ought to endeavor and strive to the utmost of his ability to come off victor; but it is utterly wrong for him to trip up his competitor, or to push him aside. So in life it is not unfair for one to seek for himself what may accrue to his benefit; but it is not right to take it from another. As quoted in De Officiis by Cicero, iii. 10.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Chrysippus#/random
Nothing is more admirable than the fortitude with which millionaires tolerate the disadvantages of their wealth. Nero Wolfe, chapter 11
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Nero_Wolfe#Too_Many_Cooks
Never was there less of national feeling among the higher orders than during the reign of Charles the Second. That Prince, on the one side, thought it better to be the deputy of an absolute king than the King of a free people. Algernon Sidney, on the other hand, would gladly have aided France in all her ambitious schemes, and have seen England reduced to the condition of a province, in the wild hope that a foreign despot would assist him to establish his darling republic.[17]
en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algernon_Sidney
In Jacques Ellul: A Systemic Exposition Darrell J. Fasching claimed Ellul believed "That which desacralizes a given reality, itself in turn becomes the new sacred reality".[11]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacques_Ellul
The task is, not so much to see what no one has yet seen; but to think what nobody has yet thought, about that which everybody sees.
As quoted in Problems of Life (1952), by Ludwig von Bertalanffy, as reported in A Dictionary of Scientific Quotations (1991) edited by Alan L. Mackay, p. 219
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Erwin_Schr%C3%B6dinger#/random
When an Indian Child has been brought up among us, taught our language and habituated to our Customs, yet if he goes to see his relations and makes one Indian Ramble with them, there is no perswading him ever to return, and that this is not natural to them merely as Indians, but as men, is plain from this, that when white persons of either sex have been taken prisoners young by the Indians, and lived a while among them, tho’ ransomed by their Friends, and treated with all imaginable tenderness to prevail with them to stay among the English, yet in a Short time they become disgusted with our manner of life, and the care and pains that are necessary to support it, and take the first good Opportunity of escaping again into the Woods, from whence there is no reclaiming them. Letter to London merchant Peter Collinson (9 May 1753); reported in Labaree: "Papers of Benjamin Franklin", vol 4, pp 481-482.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin#/random
From this arises the question whether it is better to be loved rather than feared, or feared rather than loved. It might perhaps be answered that we should wish to be both: but since love and fear can hardly exist together, if we must choose between them, it is far safer to be feared than loved. Niccolò Machiavelli, The Prince, Chapter 8 (1513).
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Fear#/random
Cubism is no different from any other school of painting. The same principles and the same elements are common to all. The fact that for a long time cubism has not been understood and that even today there are people who cannot see anything in it, means nothing. I do not read English, and an English book is a blank to me. This does not mean that the English language does not exist, and why should I blame anyone but myself if I cannot understand what I know nothing about? p. 319.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Pablo_Picasso
A knowledge of different literatures is the best way to free one's self from the tyranny of any of them. On Oscar Wilde (1882)
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Mart%C3%AD
Never let the future disturb you. You will meet it, if you have to, with the same weapons of reason which today arm you against the present. ~ Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Future#/random
The only thing we know about the future is that it is going to be different. Peter Drucker, Management: Tasks, Responsibilities, Practices (1973), Part 1, Chapter 4.
en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Future#/random
All of the technical innovations that formed the basis of the Industrial Revolution of the eighteenth and the first half of the nineteenth centuries were made by men who can best be described as craftsmen, artisans, or engineers. Few of them were university educated, and all of them achieved their results without the benefit of scientific theory. Nonetheless, given the technical nature of the inventions, a persistent legend arose that the originators must have been counseled by the great figures of the Scientific Revolution. James Edward McClellan III, Harold Dorn, Science and Technology in World History: An Introduction (2006).
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Industrial_Revolution#/random
To me, one of the most beautiful things to see is a group of men coordinating their efforts toward a common goal, alternately subordinating and asserting themselves to achieve real teamwork in action. I tried to do that, we all tried to do that, on the Celtics. I think we succeeded.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Bill_Russell#/random
If you really love me, let's make a vow — right here, together... right now. We have a whole life to live together you fucker, but it can't start until you call. Call me, if you ever feel too old to drive. Fuck! Fuck you! Fuck me! Fuck old people! Fuck children! Fuck peace! Fuck peace...
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Me_and_You_and_Everyone_We_Know
Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Margaret_Mead#/random
[reading to coworkers] In her acceptance speech, the distinguished scientist paid tribute to her husband, Dr. Chris Davis. Tomorrow the pair celebrate their 42nd wedding anniversary after eloping together on the day they met. When asked how they could possibly have known that it would all work out, Professor Harrison replied in true scientific fashion: "We don't know, you can never be sure. But you take the plunge anyway. Sure is for people who don't love enough."
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Imagine_Me_%26_You#/random
No truer words ever written... this is why, when my nemisis tries to provoke me, I typically respond by ignoring the remark or provocation... its a very effective way to communicate. The important distinction is that if I ignore a provocation the communication is about the provocation, not the person.
MVR
Adam Savage kicks off his book club with mathematician Matt Parker, discussing Matt's book, Humble Pi: When Math Goes Wrong in the Real World. Much of the conversation centers around your questions, including one that points out a possible error, so thanks for taking part! Stay tuned for Adam's next book club selection.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig-2xlXfex4
Philosophy (3 vols, 1932), Jaspers gave his view of the history of philosophy and introduced his major themes. Beginning with modern science and empiricism, Jaspers points out that as we question reality, we confront borders that an empirical (or scientific) method simply cannot transcend. At this point, the individual faces a choice: sink into despair and resignation, or take a leap of faith toward what Jaspers calls Transcendence. In making this leap, individuals confront their own limitless freedom, which Jaspers calls Existenz, and can finally experience authentic existence.[citation needed]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Jaspers
Jaspers identified with the liberal political philosophy of Max Weber, although he rejected Weber's nationalism.[11] He valued humanism and cosmopolitanism and, influenced by Immanuel Kant, advocated an international federation of states with shared constitutions, laws, and international courts.[12] He strongly opposed totalitarian despotism and warned about the increasing tendency towards technocracy, or a regime that regards humans as mere instruments of science or of ideological goals. He was also skeptical of majoritarian democracy. Thus, he supported a form of governance that guaranteed individual freedom and limited government, and shared Weber's belief that democracy needed to be guided by an intellectual elite.[1]
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Jaspers
It is the expensiveness of our pleasures that makes the world poor and keeps us poor in ourselves. If we could but learn to find enjoyment in the things of the mind, the economic problems would solve themselves. John Lancaster Spalding, Aphorisms and Reflections (1901).
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Consumption_(economics)#J
I think one of the best ways to face this problem of self-centeredness is to discover some cause and some purpose, some loyalty outside of yourself and give yourself to that something. The best way to handle it is not to suppress the ego but to extend the ego into objectively meaningful channels. And so many people are unhappy because they aren’t doing anything. They’re self-centered because they aren’t doing anything. They haven’t given themselves to anything and they just move around in their little circles. One of the ways to rise above this self-centeredness is to move away from self and objectify yourself in something outside of yourself. Find some great cause and some great purpose, some loyalty to which you can give yourself and become so absorbed in that something that you give your life to it. Men and women have done this throughout all of the generations. And they have found that necessary ego satisfaction that life presents and that one desires through projecting self in something outside of self. As I said, you don’t solve the problem by trying to trample over the ego altogether. That doesn’t solve the problem. For you will always have the ego and the ego has certain desires, certain desires for significance. The three great psychoanalysts of this age, of this century, pointed out that there are certain basic desires that human beings have and that they long for and that they seek at any cost. And so for Freud the basic desire was to be loved. Jung would say that the basic desire is to be secure. But then Adler comes along and says the basic desire of human nature is to feel important and a sense of significance. And I think of all of those, probably- certainly all are significant but the one that Adler mentions is probably even more significant than any: that all human beings have a desire to belong and to feel significant and important. And the way to solve this problem is not to drown out the ego but to find your sense of importance in something outside of the self. And you are then able to live because you have given your life to something outside and something that is meaningful, objectified. You rise above this self-absorption to something outside. This is the way to go through life with a balance, with the proper perspective because you’ve given yourself to something greater than self. Sometimes it’s friends, sometimes it’s family, sometimes it’s a great cause, it’s a great loyalty, but give yourself to that something and life becomes meaningful.
Sermon Delivered at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama (11 August 1957) http://mlk-kpp01.stanford.edu/primarydocuments/Vol4/11-Aug-1957_ConqueringSelf-Centeredness.pdf https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King,_Jr.#Conquering_Self-centeredness_(1957)
Four years was enough of Harvard. I still had a lot to learn, but had been given the liberating notion that now I could teach myself. Life Magazine (September 1986)
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/John_Updike
Creative thinking — in terms of idea creativity — is not a mystical talent. It is a skill that can be practised and nurtured. You can never tell how a policy has been reached just by looking at the end result. Some people who have achieved a huge amount do not come across as impressive when you speak to them. There isn't just one point; it takes time to learn. You don't have to be intelligent, but I think you have to be open to possibilities and willing to explore. The only stupid people are those who are arrogant and closed off.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_de_Bono
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.Bertrand Russell, “The Lethbridge Herald”, Lethbridge, Alberta (1935)
https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Trouble#/random
"The hardest thing to explain is the glaringly evident which everybody has decided not to see." Chapter IX, p. 537 ; Dominique Wynand (Francon) to Gail Wynand
The fountainhead Ayn Rynd wikiquote
"You'll get everything society can give a man. You'll keep all the money. You'll take any fame or honor anyone might want to grant. You'll accept such gratitude as the tenants might feel. And I—I'll take what nobody can give a man, except himself. I will have built Cortlandt." "You’re getting more than I am, Howard." Chapter VIII, p. 630 ; Howard Roark and Peter Keating
The Fountainhead Ayn Rynd Wikiquote
I don't think we're ever going to have a cheap fascism of Brownshirts and goose stepping or anything of that sort. We're too American for that. We would find that ridiculous. But there are always traces of repression. And you can find it in a Democratic government too. People who are "right-minded," you know, are always with us. But I think so long as we can move along with the economy, we're all right. It's just if there's a smash, a crash — that's when I'm not at all optimistic about what's going to happen.
Norman Mailer wikiquote https://en.m.wikiquote.org/wiki/Norman_Mailer
Folks don’t like to have somebody around knowin’ more than they do. It aggravates ‘em. You’re not gonna change any of them by talkin’ right, they’ve got to want to learn themselves, and when they don’t want to learn there’s nothing you can do but keep your mouth shut or talk their language. ~ Harper Lee ~ in ~ To Kill a Mockingbird ~
