Bertrand Russell

All human activity is prompted by desire.

All human activity is prompted by desire.

The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way. Persecution is read more

The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way. Persecution is used in theology, not in arithmetic.

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

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

Boredom is a vital problem for the moralist, since at least half the sins of mankind are caused by the read more

Boredom is a vital problem for the moralist, since at least half the sins of mankind are caused by the fear of it.

Envy consists in seeing things never in themselves, but only in their relations. If you desire glory, you may envy read more

Envy consists in seeing things never in themselves, but only in their relations. If you desire glory, you may envy Napoleon, but Napoleon envied Caesar, Caesar envied Alexander, and Alexander, I daresay, envied Hercules, who never existed.