Work is of two kinds: first, altering the position of matter at or near the earth's surface relative to other matter; second, telling other people to do so.

Quote by Bertrand Russell

Topics: Bertrand Russell Quotes

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...

Order, unity, and continuity are human inventions, just as truly as catalogues and encyclopedias.

Order, unity, and continuity are human inventions, just as truly as catalogues and encyclopedias.

Against my will, in the course of my travels, the belief that everything worth knowing...

Against my will, in the course of my travels, the belief that everything worth knowing...

The difference between mind and brain is not a difference of quality, but a difference...

The difference between mind and brain is not a difference of quality, but a difference...

A truer image of the world, I think, is obtained by picturing things as entering...

A truer image of the world, I think, is obtained by picturing things as entering...

I remain convinced that obstinate addiction to ordinary language in our private thoughts is one...

I remain convinced that obstinate addiction to ordinary language in our private thoughts is one...

Right discipline consists, not in external compulsion, but in the habits of mind which lead...

Right discipline consists, not in external compulsion, but in the habits of mind which lead...

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...

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...

If a law were passed giving six months to every writer of a first book,...

If a law were passed giving six months to every writer of a first book,...

This idea of weapons of mass exterminations utterly horrible and is something which no one...

This idea of weapons of mass exterminations utterly horrible and is something which no one...

The fundamental defect of Christian ethics consists in the fact that it labels certain classes...

The fundamental defect of Christian ethics consists in the fact that it labels certain classes...

Marriage is for women the commonest mode of livelihood, and the total amount of undesired...

Marriage is for women the commonest mode of livelihood, and the total amount of undesired...

None but a coward dares to boast that he has never known fear.

None but a coward dares to boast that he has never known fear.

The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem...

The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem...

Ethics is in origin the art of recommending to others the sacrifices required for cooperation...

Ethics is in origin the art of recommending to others the sacrifices required for cooperation...

There is little of the true philosophic spirit in Aquinas. He does not, like the...

There is little of the true philosophic spirit in Aquinas. He does not, like the...

Thinking you know when in fact you don't is a fatal mistake, to which we...

Thinking you know when in fact you don't is a fatal mistake, to which we...

Experience is what allows us to repeat our mistakes, only with more finesse!

Experience is what allows us to repeat our mistakes, only with more finesse!

We all make mistakes, as the hedgehog said as he climbed off the scrubbing brush

We all make mistakes, as the hedgehog said as he climbed off the scrubbing brush