If most of us remain ignorant of ourselves, it is because self-knowledge is painful and we prefer the pleasures of illusion.

Quote by Aldous Huxley

Topics: Self Knowledge Quotes

That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most...

That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most...

People intoxicate themselves with work so they won't see how they really are.

People intoxicate themselves with work so they won't see how they really are.

Writers write to influence their readers, their preachers, their auditors, but always, at bottom, to...

Writers write to influence their readers, their preachers, their auditors, but always, at bottom, to...

Every man who knows how to read has it in his power to magnify himself,...

Every man who knows how to read has it in his power to magnify himself,...

We participate in a tragedy; at a comedy we only look.

We participate in a tragedy; at a comedy we only look.

I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one...

I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one...

In books, the proportion of exceptional to commonplace people is very high; in reality, very...

In books, the proportion of exceptional to commonplace people is very high; in reality, very...

To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.

To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.

Maybe this world is another planet's Hell.

Maybe this world is another planet's Hell.

When the sun rises, it rises for everyone.

When the sun rises, it rises for everyone.

What with making their way and enjoying what they have won, heroes have no time...

What with making their way and enjoying what they have won, heroes have no time...

Maybe this world is another planet's hell.

Maybe this world is another planet's hell.

Children are remarkable for their intelligence and ardor, for their curiosity, their intolerance of shams,...

Children are remarkable for their intelligence and ardor, for their curiosity, their intolerance of shams,...

Defined in psychological terms, a fanatic is a man who consciously over-compensates a secret doubt.

Defined in psychological terms, a fanatic is a man who consciously over-compensates a secret doubt.

The proper study of mankind is books.

The proper study of mankind is books.

A bad book is as much of a labor to write as a good one;...

A bad book is as much of a labor to write as a good one;...

Words, words, words! They shut one off from the universe. Three quarters of the time...

Words, words, words! They shut one off from the universe. Three quarters of the time...

Experience teaches only the teachable.

Experience teaches only the teachable.

All gods are homemade, and it is we who pull their strings, and so, give...

All gods are homemade, and it is we who pull their strings, and so, give...

The vast majority of human beings dislike and even actually dread all notions with which...

The vast majority of human beings dislike and even actually dread all notions with which...