No; we have been as usual asking the wrong question. It does not matter a hoot what the mockingbird on the chimney is singing. The real and proper question is: Why is it beautiful?

Quote by Bertrand Russell

Topics: Bertrand Russell Quotes

By self-interest, Man has become gregarious, but in instinct he has remained to a great...

By self-interest, Man has become gregarious, but in instinct he has remained to a great...

I observe that a very large portion of the human race does not believe in...

I observe that a very large portion of the human race does not believe in...

Ants and savages put strangers to death.

Ants and savages put strangers to death.

A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is...

A happy life must be to a great extent a quiet life, for it is...

Aristotle maintained that women have fewer teeth than men; although he was twice married, it...

Aristotle maintained that women have fewer teeth than men; although he was twice married, it...

Some kind of philosophy is a necessity to all but the most thoughtless, and in...

Some kind of philosophy is a necessity to all but the most thoughtless, and in...

Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by education.

Men are born ignorant, not stupid. They are made stupid by education.

To acquire immunity to eloquence is of the utmost importance to the citizens of a...

To acquire immunity to eloquence is of the utmost importance to the citizens of a...

The best practical advice I can give to the present generation is to practice the...

The best practical advice I can give to the present generation is to practice the...

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...

Mathematics takes us into the region of absolute necessity, to which not only the actual...

Mathematics takes us into the region of absolute necessity, to which not only the actual...

When one admits that nothing is certain one must, I think, also add that some...

When one admits that nothing is certain one must, I think, also add that some...

Against my will, in the course of my travels, the belief that everything worth knowing...

Against my will, in the course of my travels, the belief that everything worth knowing...

The place of the father in the modern suburban family is a very small one,...

The place of the father in the modern suburban family is a very small one,...

The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.

In all affairs, love, religion, politics, or business, it's a healthy idea, now and then,...

In all affairs, love, religion, politics, or business, it's a healthy idea, now and then,...

Boredom is... a vital problem for the moralist, since half the sins of mankind are...

Boredom is... a vital problem for the moralist, since half the sins of mankind are...

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

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

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

How old would you be if you didn't know how old you are?

Old age is a shipwreck.

Old age is a shipwreck.