The demand for certainty is one which is natural to man, but is nevertheless an intellectual vice.

Quote by Bertrand Russell

Topics: Bertrand Russell Quotes

A hallucination is a fact, not an error; what is erroneous is a judgment based...

A hallucination is a fact, not an error; what is erroneous is a judgment based...

Obscenity is whatever happens to shock some elderly and ignorant magistrate.

Obscenity is whatever happens to shock some elderly and ignorant magistrate.

Ants and savages put strangers to death.

Ants and savages put strangers to death.

Man is a feeble creature, to whom only submission and worship are besoming. Pride is...

Man is a feeble creature, to whom only submission and worship are besoming. Pride is...

Mathematics may be defined as the subject in which we never know what we are...

Mathematics may be defined as the subject in which we never know what we are...

I have sought love because in the union of love I have seen, in a...

I have sought love because in the union of love I have seen, in a...

Aristotle could have avoided the mistake of thinking that women have fewer teeth than men,...

Aristotle could have avoided the mistake of thinking that women have fewer teeth than men,...

Unless a man has been taught what to do with success after getting it, the...

Unless a man has been taught what to do with success after getting it, the...

Morally, a philosopher who uses his professional competence for anything except a disinterested search for...

Morally, a philosopher who uses his professional competence for anything except a disinterested search for...

Sin is geographical.

Sin is geographical.

No matter how eloquently a dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his parents...

No matter how eloquently a dog may bark, he cannot tell you that his parents...

To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.

To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.

Change is scientific, progress is ethical; change is indubitable, whereas progress is a matter of...

Change is scientific, progress is ethical; change is indubitable, whereas progress is a matter of...

The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful...

The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful...

When the intensity of emotional conviction subsides, a man who is in the habit of...

When the intensity of emotional conviction subsides, a man who is in the habit of...

The fundamental defect of Christian ethics consists in the fact that it labels certain classes...

The fundamental defect of Christian ethics consists in the fact that it labels certain classes...

Many people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so.

Many people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so.

Freedom of opinion can only exist when the government thinks itself secure.

Freedom of opinion can only exist when the government thinks itself secure.

WASHINGTONIAN, n. A Potomac tribesman who exchanged the privilege of governing himself for the advantage...

WASHINGTONIAN, n. A Potomac tribesman who exchanged the privilege of governing himself for the advantage...

I believe that all government is evil, in that all government must necessarily make war...

I believe that all government is evil, in that all government must necessarily make war...