In order to improve the mind, we ought less to learn, than to contemplate

Quote by Rene Descartes

Topics: Mind Quotes

Everything is self-evident.

Everything is self-evident.

Except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power.

Except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power.

One cannot conceive anything so strange and so implausible that it has not already been...

One cannot conceive anything so strange and so implausible that it has not already been...

I hope that posterity will judge me kindly, not only as to the things which...

I hope that posterity will judge me kindly, not only as to the things which...

It is only prudent never to place complete confidence in that by which we have...

It is only prudent never to place complete confidence in that by which we have...

There is nothing so strange and so unbelievable that it has not been said by...

There is nothing so strange and so unbelievable that it has not been said by...

Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the...

Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the...

One cannot conceive anything so strange and so implausible that it has not already been...

One cannot conceive anything so strange and so implausible that it has not already been...

Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the...

Whenever anyone has offended me, I try to raise my soul so high that the...

The first precept was never to accept a thing as true until I knew it...

The first precept was never to accept a thing as true until I knew it...

The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest...

The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest...

The principal effect of the passions is that they incite and persuade the mind to...

The principal effect of the passions is that they incite and persuade the mind to...

Dubito ergo cogito; cogito ergo sum. (I doubt, therefore I think; I think therefore I...

Dubito ergo cogito; cogito ergo sum. (I doubt, therefore I think; I think therefore I...

In order to improve the mind, we ought less to learn, than to contemplate.

In order to improve the mind, we ought less to learn, than to contemplate.

Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of...

Nothing is more fairly distributed than common sense: no one thinks he needs more of...

Common sense is the best distributed thing in the world, for everyone thinks he is...

Common sense is the best distributed thing in the world, for everyone thinks he is...

I am accustomed to sleep and in my dreams to imagine the same things that...

I am accustomed to sleep and in my dreams to imagine the same things that...

Travelling is almost like talking with those of other centuries.

Travelling is almost like talking with those of other centuries.

Illusory joy is often worth more than genuine sorrow.

Illusory joy is often worth more than genuine sorrow.

I am indeed amazed when I consider how weak my mind is and how prone...

I am indeed amazed when I consider how weak my mind is and how prone...