Oaths are the fossils of piety.

Quote by George Santayana

Topics: George Santayana Quotes

Emotion is primarily about nothing and much of it remains about nothing to the end.

Emotion is primarily about nothing and much of it remains about nothing to the end.

Fun is a good thing but only when it spoils nothing better.

Fun is a good thing but only when it spoils nothing better.

Philosophers are very severe towards other philosophers because they expect too much.

Philosophers are very severe towards other philosophers because they expect too much.

The existence of any evil anywhere at any time absolutely ruins a total optimism.

The existence of any evil anywhere at any time absolutely ruins a total optimism.

Before you contradict an old man, my fair friend, you should endeavor to understand him.

Before you contradict an old man, my fair friend, you should endeavor to understand him.

Experience seems to most of us to lead to conclusions, but empiricism has sworn never...

Experience seems to most of us to lead to conclusions, but empiricism has sworn never...

The aim of life is some way of living, as flexible and gentle as human...

The aim of life is some way of living, as flexible and gentle as human...

Fanaticism consists of redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim.

Fanaticism consists of redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim.

By nature's kindly disposition most questions which it is beyond a man's power to answer...

By nature's kindly disposition most questions which it is beyond a man's power to answer...

My atheism, like that of Spinoza, is true piety towards the universe and denies only...

My atheism, like that of Spinoza, is true piety towards the universe and denies only...

Nonsense is so good only because common sense is so limited

Nonsense is so good only because common sense is so limited

In endowing us with memory, nature has revealed to us a truth utterly unimaginable to...

In endowing us with memory, nature has revealed to us a truth utterly unimaginable to...

Only the dead have seen the end of the war.

Only the dead have seen the end of the war.

Great is this organism of mud and fire, terrible this vast, painful, glorious experiment

Great is this organism of mud and fire, terrible this vast, painful, glorious experiment

There is a kind of courtesy in skepticism. It would be an offense against polite...

There is a kind of courtesy in skepticism. It would be an offense against polite...

Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.

Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.

Love is only half the illusion; the lover, but not his love, is deceived.

Love is only half the illusion; the lover, but not his love, is deceived.

Knowledge is not eating, and we cannot expect to devour and possess what we mean....

Knowledge is not eating, and we cannot expect to devour and possess what we mean....

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to...

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to...

Tyrants are seldom free; the cares and the instruments of their tyranny enslave them.

Tyrants are seldom free; the cares and the instruments of their tyranny enslave them.