The world is not respectable; it is mortal, tormented, confused, deluded forever; but it is shot through with beauty, with love, with glints of courage and laughter; and in these, the spirit blooms timidly, and struggles to the light amid…

Quote by George Santayana

Topics: Laughter Quotes

To understand one's self is the classic form of consolation; to delude one's self is...

To understand one's self is the classic form of consolation; to delude one's self is...

Perhaps the only true dignity of man is his capacity to despise himself.

Perhaps the only true dignity of man is his capacity to despise himself.

There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.

There is no cure for birth and death save to enjoy the interval.

Science is nothing but developed perception, interpreted intent, common sense rounded out and minutely articulated.

Science is nothing but developed perception, interpreted intent, common sense rounded out and minutely articulated.

The passions grafted on wounded pride are the most inveterate; they are green and vigorous...

The passions grafted on wounded pride are the most inveterate; they are green and vigorous...

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...

For an idea ever to be fashionable is ominous, since it must afterwards be always...

For an idea ever to be fashionable is ominous, since it must afterwards be always...

Music is a means of giving form to our inner feelings, without attaching them to...

Music is a means of giving form to our inner feelings, without attaching them to...

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...

To knock a thing down, especially if it is cocked at an arrogant angle, is...

To knock a thing down, especially if it is cocked at an arrogant angle, is...

Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.

Knowledge of what is possible is the beginning of happiness.

Many possessions, if they do not make a man better, are at least expected to...

Many possessions, if they do not make a man better, are at least expected to...

The degree in which a poet's imagination dominates reality is, in the end, the exact...

The degree in which a poet's imagination dominates reality is, in the end, the exact...

Nothing so much enhances a good as to make sacrifices for it.

Nothing so much enhances a good as to make sacrifices for it.

If pain could have cured us we should long ago have been saved.

If pain could have cured us we should long ago have been saved.

To fight is a radical instinct; if men have nothing else to fight over they...

To fight is a radical instinct; if men have nothing else to fight over they...

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

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

What religion a man shall have is a historical accident, quite as much as what...

What religion a man shall have is a historical accident, quite as much as what...

Trying is the first step to failure

Trying is the first step to failure

When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land....

When the missionaries came to Africa they had the Bible and we had the land....