First, you know, a new theory is attacked as absurd; then it is admitted to be true, but obvious and insignificant; finally it is seen to be so important that its adversaries claim that they themselves discovered it

Quote by William James

Topics: Theory Quotes

Metaphysics means nothing but an unusually obstinate effort to think clearly.

Metaphysics means nothing but an unusually obstinate effort to think clearly.

We want all our friends to tell us our bad qualities; it is only the...

We want all our friends to tell us our bad qualities; it is only the...

Man, biologically considered, and whatever else he may be in the bargain, is simply the...

Man, biologically considered, and whatever else he may be in the bargain, is simply the...

An idea, to be suggestive, must come to the individual with the force of revelation.

An idea, to be suggestive, must come to the individual with the force of revelation.

As there is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it,...

As there is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it,...

Truth is what works. Truth lives, in fact, for the most part on a credit...

Truth is what works. Truth lives, in fact, for the most part on a credit...

When you have to make a choice and don't make it, that is in itself...

When you have to make a choice and don't make it, that is in itself...

The minute a man ceases to grow, no matter what his years, that minute he...

The minute a man ceases to grow, no matter what his years, that minute he...

It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything...

It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything...

The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.

The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.

What every genuine philosopher (every genuine man, in fact) craves most is praise although the...

What every genuine philosopher (every genuine man, in fact) craves most is praise although the...

All natural goods perish. Riches take wings; fame is a breath; love is a cheat;...

All natural goods perish. Riches take wings; fame is a breath; love is a cheat;...

Be willing to have it so. Acceptance of what has happened is the first step...

Be willing to have it so. Acceptance of what has happened is the first step...

Why should we think upon things that are lovely? Because thinking determines life. It is...

Why should we think upon things that are lovely? Because thinking determines life. It is...

Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity successful men act as though...

Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity successful men act as though...

If you want a quality, act as if you already had it.

If you want a quality, act as if you already had it.

A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.

A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.

Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds....

Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds....

Once we got over the origin story, we could really delve deeper into their lives...

Once we got over the origin story, we could really delve deeper into their lives...

Me and Matt love to argue, but in general our sense of humor is pretty...

Me and Matt love to argue, but in general our sense of humor is pretty...