Truth is what works. Truth lives, in fact, for the most part on a credit system. Our thoughts and beliefs pass, so long as nothing challenges them, just as bank-notes pass so long as nobody refuses them.

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...

If merely 'feeling good' could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience.

If merely 'feeling good' could decide, drunkenness would be the supremely valid human experience.

The world is all the richer for having a devil in it, so long as...

The world is all the richer for having a devil in it, so long as...

Genius ... means little more than the faculty of perceiving in an unhabitual way.

Genius ... means little more than the faculty of perceiving in an unhabitual way.

Be willing to have it so. Acceptance of what has happened is the first step...

Be willing to have it so. Acceptance of what has happened is the first step...

A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.

A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.

Begin to be now what you will be hereafter.

Begin to be now what you will be hereafter.

Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference...

Whenever you're in conflict with someone, there is one factor that can make the difference...

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.

The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast...

The greatest use of a life is to spend it on something that will outlast...

What every genuine philosopher (every genuine man, in fact) craves most is praise although the...

What every genuine philosopher (every genuine man, in fact) craves most is praise although the...

The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.

The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.

It is wrong always, everywhere, and for everyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.

It is wrong always, everywhere, and for everyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.

To be a real philosopher all that is necessary is to hate some one else's...

To be a real philosopher all that is necessary is to hate some one else's...

The union of the mathematician with the poet, fervor with measure, passion with correctness, this...

The union of the mathematician with the poet, fervor with measure, passion with correctness, this...

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

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

We are doomed to cling to a life even while we find it unendurable.

We are doomed to cling to a life even while we find it unendurable.

Do every day or two something for no other reason than you would rather not...

Do every day or two something for no other reason than you would rather not...

When once a man is launched on such an adventure as this, he must bid...

When once a man is launched on such an adventure as this, he must bid...

Fragile as reason is and limited as law is as the institutionalized medium of reason,...

Fragile as reason is and limited as law is as the institutionalized medium of reason,...

The test of one's behavior pattern is their relationship to society, relationship to work and...

The test of one's behavior pattern is their relationship to society, relationship to work and...