Written words differ from spoken words in being material structures. A spoken word is a process in the physical world, having an essential time-order; a written word is a series of pieces of matter, having an essential space-order.
Since Adam and Eve ate the apple, man has never refrained from any folly of which he was capable.
I dislike Communism because it is undemocratic, and capitalism because it favors exploitation.
Ironclads and Maxim guns must be the ultimate arbiters of metaphysical truth.
A fanatical belief in democracy makes democratic institutions impossible.
Dread of disaster makes everybody act in the very way that increases the disaster.
It appeared to me that the dignity of which human existence is capable is not attainable by devotion to the mechanism of life, and that unless contemplation of eternal things is preserved, mankind will become no better than well-fed pigs.
The essence of good manners consists in making it clear that one has no wish to hurt. When it is clearly necessary to hurt, it must be done in such a way as to make it evident that the necessity is felt to be regrettable.
Mystery is delightful, but unscientific, since it depends upon ignorance.
Facts have to be discovered by observation, not by reasoning.
The pursuit of knowledge is, I think, mainly actuated by love of power. And so are all advances in scientific technique.
The supreme maxim in scientific philosophising is this: wherever possible, logical constructions are to be substituted for inferred entities.
A world without delight and without affection is a world destitute of value.
No rules, however wise, are a substitute for affection and tact.
To choose one sock from each of infinitely many pairs of socks requires the Axiom of Choice, but for shoes the Axiom is not needed.
Thee will find out in time that I have a great love of professing vile sentiments, I don’t know why, unless it springs from long efforts to avoid priggery.
I don’t care for the applause one gets by saying what others are thinking; I want actually to change people’s thoughts. Power over people’s minds is the main personal desire of my life; and this sort of power is not acquired by saying popular things.
A life devoted to science is therefore a happy life, and its happiness is derived from the very best sources that are open to dwellers on this troubled and passionate planet.
I went to Salt Lake City and the Mormons tried to convert me, but when I found they forbade tea and tobacco I thought it was no religion for me.
I do not believe that science per se is an adequate source of happiness, nor do I think that my own scientific outlook has contributed very greatly to my own happiness, which I attribute to defecating twice a day with unfailing regularity.