Quotes from Alain de Botton
The fear of saying something stupid (which stupid people never have) has censored far more good ideas than bad ones.
- Alain de Botton
On paper, being good sounds great but a lot depends on the atmosphere of the workplace or community we live in. We tend to become good or bad depending on the cues sent out within a particular space.
- Alain de Botton
Most good thinking has its origin in fear.
- Alain de Botton
There are few more effective ways to promote tolerance between suspicious neighbours than to force them to eat supper together.
- Alain de Botton
Compatibility is an achievement of love; it shouldn't be its precondition.
- Alain de Botton
I learnt to stop fantasising about the perfect job or the perfect relationship because that can actually be an excuse for not living.
- Alain de Botton
Fantasies can be great, but we shouldn't make the wedding a fantasy, because the wedding is the gateway to married life. It shouldn't be a moment of illusion; it should be a moment of preparation.
- Alain de Botton
We may seek a fortune for no greater reason than to secure the respect and attention of people who would otherwise look straight through us.
- Alain de Botton
In their different ways, art and philosophy help us, in Schopenhauer's words, to turn pain into knowledge.
- Alain de Botton
Feeling lost, crazy and desperate belongs to a good life as much as optimism, certainty and reason.
- Alain de Botton
Must being in love always mean being in pain?
- Alain de Botton
One's doing well if age improves even slightly one's capacity to hold on to that vital truism: This too shall pass.
- Alain de Botton