When we find a thinker reflecting or echoing an apparently erroneous, narrow, or even illogical thought that was popular or authoritative in his time, we must never rule out the possibility that what we have discovered is not the limit of his vision but only an example of his deliberate rhetorical accommodation to reigning prejudice which he does not share but thinks it best not to expose.
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The hardest part of gaining any new idea is sweeping out the false idea occupying that niche.
The hardest part of gaining any new idea is sweeping out the false idea occupying that niche.
A nail is driven out by another nail. Habit is overcome by habit.
A nail is driven out by another nail. Habit is overcome by habit.
...ideas have a tendency to live lives of their own, and having become a part of tradition, they are very read more
...ideas have a tendency to live lives of their own, and having become a part of tradition, they are very difficult to root out. When summarized in a few neat words or phrases, these gems of wisdom become substitutes for thought, and gradually take on much of the status of revealed truth. Occasionally, some iconoclast sees fit to challenge one of them, and a brief flurry ensues, after which things go on about as before. It is easy to think of plenty of ideas that are passing, if they have not already passed, beyond the stage of effective discussion.
When we can't dream any longer, we die.
When we can't dream any longer, we die.
The mentality of an army on the march is merely so much delayed adolescence; it remains persistently, incorrigibly and notoriously read more
The mentality of an army on the march is merely so much delayed adolescence; it remains persistently, incorrigibly and notoriously infantile.
The highest stage in moral culture at which we can arrive is when we recognize that we ought to control read more
The highest stage in moral culture at which we can arrive is when we recognize that we ought to control our thoughts.
Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.
Moral indignation is jealousy with a halo.
Innovators and creators are persons who can to a higher degree than average accept the condition of aloneness. They are read more
Innovators and creators are persons who can to a higher degree than average accept the condition of aloneness. They are more willing to follow their own vision, even when it takes them far from the mainland of the human community. Unexplored places do not frighten them- or not, at any rate, as much as they frighten those around them. This is one of the secrets of their power. That which we call "genius" has a great deal to do with courage and daring, a great deal to do with nerve.
Any man who inflicts the human race with ideas must be prepared to see them misunderstood.
Any man who inflicts the human race with ideas must be prepared to see them misunderstood.
