The history of thought may be summed up in these words: it is absurd by what it seeks and great by what it finds

Quote by Paul Valery

Topics: History Quotes, Thinking Quotes, Thought Quotes

History is the science of things which are not repeated.

History is the science of things which are not repeated.

That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false.

That which has always been accepted by everyone, everywhere, is almost certain to be false.

Two dangers constantly threaten the world: order and disorder.

Two dangers constantly threaten the world: order and disorder.

We are wont to condemn self-love; but what we really mean to condemn is contrary...

We are wont to condemn self-love; but what we really mean to condemn is contrary...

History is the science of things which are not repeated.

History is the science of things which are not repeated.

Love is being stupid together.

Love is being stupid together.

A man is a poet if difficulties inherent in his art provide him with ideas;...

A man is a poet if difficulties inherent in his art provide him with ideas;...

A man is infinitely more complicated than his thoughts.

A man is infinitely more complicated than his thoughts.

Man's great misfortune is that he has no organ, no kind of eyelid or brake,...

Man's great misfortune is that he has no organ, no kind of eyelid or brake,...

Power without abuse loses its charm.

Power without abuse loses its charm.

To write regular verses destroys an infinite number of fine possibilities, but at the same...

To write regular verses destroys an infinite number of fine possibilities, but at the same...

An artist never really finishes his work, he merely abandons it.

An artist never really finishes his work, he merely abandons it.

Serious-minded people have few ideas. People with ideas are never serious.

Serious-minded people have few ideas. People with ideas are never serious.

Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern...

Politics is the art of preventing people from taking part in affairs which properly concern...

In poetry everything which must be said is almost impossible to say well.

In poetry everything which must be said is almost impossible to say well.

Politics is the art of preventing people from sticking their noses in things that are...

Politics is the art of preventing people from sticking their noses in things that are...

Politeness is organized indifference.

Politeness is organized indifference.

The only kind of dignity which is genuine is that which is not diminished by...

The only kind of dignity which is genuine is that which is not diminished by...

A man's vanity is more fragile that you might think. It's easy for us to...

A man's vanity is more fragile that you might think. It's easy for us to...

Desire is half of life; indifference is half of death.

Desire is half of life; indifference is half of death.