No period of history has ever been great or ever can be that does not act on some sort of high, idealistic motives, and idealism in our time has been shoved aside, and we are paying the penalty for it.

Quote by Alfred North Whitehead

Topics: Alfred North Whitehead Quotes

We cannot think first and act afterward. From the moment of birth we are immersed...

We cannot think first and act afterward. From the moment of birth we are immersed...

Fundamental progress has to do with the reinterpretation of basic ideas.

Fundamental progress has to do with the reinterpretation of basic ideas.

The vitality of thought is in adventure. Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about...

The vitality of thought is in adventure. Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about...

If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you;...

If a dog jumps in your lap, it is because he is fond of you;...

The task of a university is the creation of the future, so far as rational...

The task of a university is the creation of the future, so far as rational...

When success turns a man's head he faces failure

When success turns a man's head he faces failure

Every philosophy is tinged with the coloring of some secret imaginative background, which never emerges...

Every philosophy is tinged with the coloring of some secret imaginative background, which never emerges...

Almost all new ideas have a certain aspect of foolishness when they are first produced.

Almost all new ideas have a certain aspect of foolishness when they are first produced.

Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking...

Civilization advances by extending the number of important operations which we can perform without thinking...

It requires a very unusual mind to undertake the analysis of the obvious.

It requires a very unusual mind to undertake the analysis of the obvious.

In the conditions of modern life the rule is absolute, the race which does not...

In the conditions of modern life the rule is absolute, the race which does not...

Not ignorance, but ignorance of ignorance is the death of knowledge

Not ignorance, but ignorance of ignorance is the death of knowledge

Fundamental progress has to do with the reinterpretation of basic ideas.

Fundamental progress has to do with the reinterpretation of basic ideas.

Periods of tranquility are seldom prolific of creative achievement. Mankind has to be stirred up.

Periods of tranquility are seldom prolific of creative achievement. Mankind has to be stirred up.

Knowledge shrinks as wisdom grows.

Knowledge shrinks as wisdom grows.

Intelligence is quickness to apprehend as distinct form ability, which is capacity to act wisely...

Intelligence is quickness to apprehend as distinct form ability, which is capacity to act wisely...

But you can catch yourself entertaining habitually certain ideas and setting others aside; and that,...

But you can catch yourself entertaining habitually certain ideas and setting others aside; and that,...

Common sense is genius in homespun.

Common sense is genius in homespun.

Common sense is as rare as genius, - is the basis of genius

Common sense is as rare as genius, - is the basis of genius

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...

The man of genius inspires us with a boundless confidence in our own powers.

The man of genius inspires us with a boundless confidence in our own powers.