Quotes about Philosophy

Shallow people believe in luck and in circumstances; Strong people believe in cause and effect.

Why should I vapor and play the philosopher, instead of ballasting, the best I can, this dancing balloon?

True love transcends the unworthy object, and dwells and broods on the eternal, and when the poor interposed mask crumbles, it is not sad, but feels rid of so much earth, and feels its independency the surer.

Religion is the perception of that power which constructs the greatness of the centuries out of the paltriness of the hours.

Oh, what have I to do with time?

Time dissipates to shining ether the solid angularity of facts.

I hate quotes: tell me what you know.

all nature is the rapid efflux of goodness executing and organizing itself.

The advantage of the ideal theory over the popular faith, is this, that it presents the world in precisely that view which is most desirable to the mind. It is, in fact, the view which Reason, both speculative and practical, that is, philosophy and virtue, take. For, seen in the light of thought, the world always is phenomenal; and virtue subordinates it to the mind.

Philosophically considered, the universe consists of Nature and the Soul.

I would put myself in the attitude to look in the eye an abstract truth, and I cannot. I blench and withdraw on this side and on that. I seem to know what he meant who said, No man can see God face to face and live.

This outlook, one that said that American history must be the history of nature speaking through men, not of men shaping nature, became the single most powerful force in American intellectual life in the nineteenth century and shaped some of America's greatest works of literature, such as Moby Dick, Leaves of Grass and Walden, as well as generating an American school of philosophy , to be furthered by William James and John Dewey.