'Pure experience' is the name I gave to the immediate flux of life which furnishes the material to our later reflection with its conceptual categories.

Quote by William James

Topics: William James Quotes

There is only one thing a philosopher can be relied upon to do, and that...

There is only one thing a philosopher can be relied upon to do, and that...

Human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.

Human beings can alter their lives by altering their attitudes of mind.

Compared to what we ought to be, we are half awake.

Compared to what we ought to be, we are half awake.

The hell to be endured hereafter, of which theology tells, is no worse than the...

The hell to be endured hereafter, of which theology tells, is no worse than the...

We have to live today by what truth we can get today and be ready...

We have to live today by what truth we can get today and be ready...

The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.

The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got...

Most people never run far enough on their first wind to find out they've got...

Action seems to follow feeling, but really action and feeling go together; and by regulating...

Action seems to follow feeling, but really action and feeling go together; and by regulating...

Our errors are surely not such awfully solemn things. In a world where we are...

Our errors are surely not such awfully solemn things. In a world where we are...

I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing.

I don't sing because I'm happy; I'm happy because I sing.

Action may not bring happiness but there is no happiness without action

Action may not bring happiness but there is no happiness without action

He who refuses to embrace a unique opportunity loses the prize as surely as if...

He who refuses to embrace a unique opportunity loses the prize as surely as if...

In the dim background of mind we know what we ought to be doing but...

In the dim background of mind we know what we ought to be doing but...

Our faith is faith in someone else's faith, and in the greatest matters this is...

Our faith is faith in someone else's faith, and in the greatest matters this is...

Why should we think upon things that are lovely? Because thinking determines life. It is...

Why should we think upon things that are lovely? Because thinking determines life. It is...

These then are my last words to you. Be not afraid of life. Believe life...

These then are my last words to you. Be not afraid of life. Believe life...

Our normal waking consciousness, rational consciousness as we call it, is but one special type...

Our normal waking consciousness, rational consciousness as we call it, is but one special type...

The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.

The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.

The sovereign cure for worry is prayer.

The sovereign cure for worry is prayer.

Could the young but realize how soon they will become mere walking bundles of habits,...

Could the young but realize how soon they will become mere walking bundles of habits,...