The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem worth stating, and to end with something so paradoxical that no one will believe it.

Quote by Bertrand Russell

Topics: Bertrand Russell Quotes

The reformative effect of punishment is a belief that dies hard, chiefly I think, because...

The reformative effect of punishment is a belief that dies hard, chiefly I think, because...

A life without adventure is likely to be unsatisfying, but a life in which adventure...

A life without adventure is likely to be unsatisfying, but a life in which adventure...

Religions that teach brotherly love have been used as an excuse for persecution, and our...

Religions that teach brotherly love have been used as an excuse for persecution, and our...

On the one hand, philosophy is to keep us thinking about things that we may...

On the one hand, philosophy is to keep us thinking about things that we may...

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are...

The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are...

To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.

To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.

Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty - a beauty cold and...

Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty - a beauty cold and...

Admiration of the proletariat, like that of dams, power stations, and aeroplanes, is part of...

Admiration of the proletariat, like that of dams, power stations, and aeroplanes, is part of...

Our individual life is brief, and perhaps the whole life of mankind will be brief...

Our individual life is brief, and perhaps the whole life of mankind will be brief...

If we could all live solitary and without labor, we could all enjoy this ecstasy...

If we could all live solitary and without labor, we could all enjoy this ecstasy...

The universe may have a purpose, but nothing we know suggests that, if so, this...

The universe may have a purpose, but nothing we know suggests that, if so, this...

It is possible that mankind is on the threshold of a golden age; but, if...

It is possible that mankind is on the threshold of a golden age; but, if...

Drunkenness is temporary suicide.

Drunkenness is temporary suicide.

No one gossips about other people's secret virtues.

No one gossips about other people's secret virtues.

If two hitherto rival football teams, under the influence of brotherly love, decided to co-operate...

If two hitherto rival football teams, under the influence of brotherly love, decided to co-operate...

Politics is largely governed by sententious platitudes which are devoid of truth.

Politics is largely governed by sententious platitudes which are devoid of truth.

Conventional people are roused to fury by departure from convention, largely because they regard such...

Conventional people are roused to fury by departure from convention, largely because they regard such...

Mathematics may be defined as the subject in which we never know what we are...

Mathematics may be defined as the subject in which we never know what we are...

The Irish don't know what they want and are prepared to fight to the death...

The Irish don't know what they want and are prepared to fight to the death...

The most minor gifts and not a very high class way to earn a living....

The most minor gifts and not a very high class way to earn a living....

Mathematics consists in proving the most obvious thing in the least obvious way.

Mathematics consists in proving the most obvious thing in the least obvious way.