Bertrand Russell's 45 Best Quotes

bertrand russell (1872 - 1970) was a prestigious British mathematician, philosopher and writer who made important contributions to the world of Western thought.

He was Nobel Prize for Literature in the year 1950, awarded not only for the depth of his texts but also for his humanistic spirit. He went along with ludwig wittgenstein and Karl Popper, one of the main references in the field of analytical philosophy. He also theorized about religions and their impact on human societies.

Bertrand Russell famous quotes

His pacifism and his fierce opposition to the First World War tell us about a global thinker who swam against the tide of the designs of the early 20th century.

In order to fully understand the thought of this extraordinary thinker, we have proposed to compile the best phrases of Bertrand Russell in today's article.

1. The history of the world is the sum of what would have been avoidable.

Famous quote that refers to the catastrophe of war.

2. I oppose all superstition, be it Muslim, Christian, Jewish or Buddhist.

A synthesis on the value that he gave to religions.

3. Scientists struggle to make the impossible possible. Politicians to do the impossible possible.

A contradiction that can only be understood if we know the interests of the political elite.

4. Slander is always simple and credible.

The insult is always (or almost always) free.

5. Being able to fill leisure in an intelligent way is the ultimate result of civilization.

Knowing how to have fun is a sign of vitality.

6. Whether science can survive for long depends on psychology; that is, it depends on what human beings want.

Interesting reflection on the human will.

7. What a nice world it would be in which no one was allowed to trade the stock market unless they had passed an economics exam! and Greek poetry, and in which politicians were required to have a solid knowledge of history and the novel modern!

A famous quote from Bertrand Russell with a certain aristocratic touch.

8. Much of the trouble the world is going through is due to the fact that the ignorant are completely sure and the intelligent are full of doubts.

Phrase about intelligence that warns us of false prophets.

9. The judicious man only thinks of his ills when it leads to something practical; all other moments are spent on other things.

Rumination is a bad habit that we should banish of our mind, according to Russell.

10. Among all forms of caution, caution in love is possibly the most lethal to true happiness.

Love must be lived spontaneously.

11. The world needs open hearts and minds, and these cannot be derived from rigid systems, old or new.

Reflection on empathy and humanity.

12. Do not think it convenient to act hiding evidence, because the evidence ends up coming to light.

Lies don't have a long run.

13. Show yourself scrupulous in the truth, even if the truth is uncomfortable, because it is more uncomfortable when you try to hide it.

Famous quote very much in line with the previous one.

14. The bottom line is that we know very little and yet it is amazing how much we do know. And even more amazing that such little knowledge can give so much power.

Science and its practical utility.

15. The wise use of leisure is a product of civilization and education.

Another thought about your vision of free time.

16. Mathematics can be defined as that subject about which we never know what we say or if what we say is true.

A perfect summary of how Bertrand Russell perceived exact science.

17. Much of what passes for idealism is hatred or love of masked power.

Our drive for power can become a great enemy of happiness.

18. A generation that can't stand boredom will be a generation of low value.

More excerpts on his leisure theory.

19. The most enlightened among the Greeks held that slavery was justifiable as long as the masters were Greeks and the slaves barbarians, but the opposite case was contrary to nature.

A nationalist and identity principle that is repeated throughout history.

20. The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which bridge to burn.

The power of choices and how they determine us.

21. The prudent man only thinks of his difficulties when it has some purpose. When not, think of something else.

Worries have to serve to activate the mind in search of solutions and answers.

22. The happy man is the one who lives objectively, the one who is free in his affections and has broad interests, the one who ensures the happiness through these interests and affections which, in turn, make him the object of interest and the affection of others many.

On happiness and well-being, and the factors that lead us to them.

23. Mathematics possesses not only truth, but a certain supreme beauty. A cold and austere beauty, like that of a sculpture.

The exact science, according to Bertrand Russell.

24. One symptom that you are approaching a nervous breakdown is believing that your work is tremendously important.

Relativizing the work facet is essential to achieve inner peace.

25. When you encounter opposition, even if it comes from your husband or your children, try to overcome it by through reason and not authority, since a victory that depends on authority is unreal and illusory.

There is no room for self-deception: the only possible victory is victory with better arguments.

26. Show yourself scrupulous in the truth, even if the truth is uncomfortable, because it is more uncomfortable when you try to hide it.

A tip to apply to our day to day.

27. It is preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else, that prevents a man from living noble and free.

Another phrase by Bertrand Russell in which he talks about the virtue of austerity.

28. The good life is a life inspired by love and guided by knowledge.

A great reflection with which to inspire and apply at all times.

29. I deliberately assert that the Christian religion, as it is organized, has been and still is the chief enemy of moral progress in the world.

In this quote he summarizes his assessment of the effect of religions in our society.

30. Lacking some of the things one desires is an indispensable condition of happiness.

In this way, unsatisfied aspirations help us to know how to live and to tolerate frustration.

31. Educators, more than any other class of professionals, are the guardians of civilization.

Russell placed great authority and importance on professors and teachers.

32. As for me, I believe that the theoretical principles of communism are false, and I think that the practice of its maxims immeasurably increases human misery.

His criticism of communism.

33. A life among the books possesses a very great calm and peace. While it is true that we are overwhelmed with a terrible hunger for something less tenuous, we spare ourselves the remorse and the horror and the torture and the maddening poison of regret.

Reading was one of Russell's great passions; hence his therapeutic vision of this activity.

34. Rousseau was crazy, but he was very influential; Hume was sane, but he had no followers.

A curious opinion on two essential thinkers.

35. I observe that a large part of the human species does not believe in God and does not suffer any visible punishment for it. And if there were a God, it seems highly unlikely to me that he would have such sick vanity as to take offense at those who doubt his existence.

A reduction to the absurd that can make us distrust any dogma of faith.

36. To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already half dead.

Words of love famous as few.

37. Science is never completely right, but it is seldom completely wrong and has a better chance of being right than non-scientific theories.

A conclusion based on statistics that shows us the fallible but reliable nature of the scientific method.

38. Artists are, as a rule, less happy than scientists.

A risky statement from the great British mathematician.

39. No one should believe they are perfect, or worry too much about the fact that they are not.

About him narcissism and the culture of beauty.

40. Why repeat old mistakes when there are so many new mistakes to make?

A great phrase by Bertrand Russell that reveals his vital and creative spirit.

41. Man can be scientifically manipulated.

Sad but true, and we have evidence of malpractice in science and medicine in recent times.

42. What is needed is not the will to believe, but the desire to find out, which is exactly the opposite.

Against the dogmas of faith and religion there is a vaccine: science and careful observation of our environment.

43. The pleasure of mental adventure is much more common in the young than in the older men and women. It is rare in adult life because everything possible is done to kill him during education.

Blessed childhood, full of fields to explore.

44. Humanity has a double morality: one that preaches and does not practice, and another that practices and does not preach.

The great contradiction that our civilization suffers from.

45. It is a waste of energy to be angry at a man who misbehaves, just as it is to be angry at a car that won't start.

There are things that can only be fixed if time and understanding are invested.