Reason's biological function is to preserve and promote life and to postpone its extinction as long as possible. Thinking and acting are not contrary to nature; they are, rather, the foremost features of man's nature. The most appropriate description of man as differentiated from nonhuman beings is: a being purposively struggling against the forces adverse to his life.
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Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.
Impartial observers from other planets would consider ours an utterly bizarre enclave if it were populated by birds, defined as read more
Impartial observers from other planets would consider ours an utterly bizarre enclave if it were populated by birds, defined as flying animals, that nevertheless rarely or never actually flew. They would also be perplexed if they encountered in our seas, lakes, rivers, and ponds, creatures defined as swimmers that never did any swimming. But they would be even more surprised to encounter a species defined as a thinking animal if, in fact, the creature very rarely indulged in actual thinking.
The trouble with people is not that they don't know but that they know so much that ain't so.
The trouble with people is not that they don't know but that they know so much that ain't so.
When the weak want to give an impression of strength they hint menacingly at their capacity for evil. It is read more
When the weak want to give an impression of strength they hint menacingly at their capacity for evil. It is by its promise of a sense of power that evil often attracts the weak.
The power of habit and the charm of novelty are the two adverse forces which explain the follies of mankind.
The power of habit and the charm of novelty are the two adverse forces which explain the follies of mankind.
...originality consists of the achievement of new combinations, and not of the creation of something out of nothing.
...originality consists of the achievement of new combinations, and not of the creation of something out of nothing.
Rudeness luxuriates in the absence of self-respect.
Rudeness luxuriates in the absence of self-respect.
...it is largely because civilization enables us constantly to profit from knowledge which we individually do not possess and because read more
...it is largely because civilization enables us constantly to profit from knowledge which we individually do not possess and because each individual's use of his particular knowledge may serve to assist others unknown to him in achieving their ends that men as members of civilized society can pursue their individual ends so much more successfully than they could alone.
There's a very fine line between a groove and a rut; a fine line between eccentrics and people who are read more
There's a very fine line between a groove and a rut; a fine line between eccentrics and people who are just plain nuts. - "Prisoners of their Hairdos".
