Bertrand Russell

Bertrand Russell Quotes and Sayings


Bertrand Russell Impact of Science on Society (1952) ch. 1

Many people would sooner die than think; In fact, they do so. ~Bertrand Russell

To be able to fill leisure intelligently is the last product of civilization, and at present very few people have reached this level. ~Bertrand Russell

Change is scientific, progress is ethical; change is indubitable, whereas progress is a matter of controversy. ~Bertrand Russell

Freedom of opinion can only exist when the government thinks itself secure. ~Bertrand Russell

Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons. ~Bertrand Russell

One should respect public opinion insofar as is necessary to avoid starvation and keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny. ~Bertrand Russell

Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind. ~Bertrand Russell

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

It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence which could support this. ~Bertrand Russell

The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts. ~Bertrand Russell

All movements go too far. ~Bertrand Russell

The place of the father in the modern suburban family is a very small one, particularly if he plays golf. ~Bertrand Russell

Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. ~Bertrand Russell

All exact science is dominated by the idea of approximation. ~Bertrand Russell

I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong. ~Bertrand Russell

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. ~Bertrand Russell