The 45 Best Phrases of Bertrand Russell, the British Philosopher

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

He was awarded the Nobel Prize in

References:

in 1950, awarded not only for the depth of his texts but for his humanist spirit. He was, 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.

Famous quotes by Bertrand Russell

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

To understand in depth the thoughts of this extraordinary thinker, we have set out to compile the best quotes by 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 am opposed to all superstitions, whether Muslim, Christian, Jewish or Buddhist.

A synthesis of the value he gave to religions.

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

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

4. Slander is always simple and plausible.

The insult always (or almost always) comes 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 a long time depends on psychology; That is, it depends on what human beings want.

Interesting reflection on the human will.

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

A famous quote by Bertrand Russell with a certain aristocratic tone.

8. Much of the difficulties the world is going through are 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 about his evils when it leads to something practical; all other moments he dedicates to other things.

Rumination is a bad habit that we should banish from our minds, 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 minds and hearts, and these cannot be derived from rigid systems whether old or new.

Reflection on empathy and humanity.

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

Lies don’t last long.

13. Be 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 know. And even more amazing that such little knowledge can give so much power.

Science and its practical usefulness.

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

Another thought about your view 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 cannot stand boredom will be a generation of little value.

More excerpts on his theory of leisure.

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

A nationalist and identity principle that is repeated throughout history.

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

The power of elections and how they determine us.

21. The prudent man only thinks about his difficulties when it has some purpose. When not, he thinks about 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 happiness through these interests and affections which, in turn, make him an object of interest. and the affection of many others.

About happiness and well-being, and the factors that lead us to these.

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

Exact science, according to Bertrand Russell.

24. A sign that you are approaching a nervous breakdown is believing that your work is tremendously important.

Relativizing the work aspect 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 through reason and not authority, because 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. Be 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 daily lives.

27. It is concern for possessions, more than anything else, that prevents man from living nobly and freely.

Another quote from Bertrand Russell in which he tells us 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 ourselves and apply to every moment.

29. I deliberately assert that the Christian religion, as 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 on our society.

30. Lacking any of the things one desires is an essential condition for happiness.

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

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

Russell conferred great authority and importance on professors and teachers.

32. As far as I am concerned, I believe that the theoretical principles of communism are false, and I think that the practice of its maxims increases human misery immeasurably.

His criticism of communism.

33. A life among books has a very great calm and peace. While it is true that we feel overwhelmed by a terrible hunger for something less tenuous, we are spared 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 very unlikely to me that he would have such unhealthy vanity as to feel offended by 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.

Famous love phrase like few others.

37. Science is never completely right, but it is rarely completely wrong and is generally more likely to be 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 general rule, less happy than men of science.

A risky assertion by the great British mathematician.

39. No one should believe themselves to be perfect, nor worry too much about the fact that they are not.

About narcissism and the culture of beauty.

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

A great phrase by Bertrand Russell that reveals his vitalist 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.

There is a vaccine against dogmas of faith and religion: science and careful observation of our environment.

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

Blessed childhood, full of terrain 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 behaves badly, just as it is a waste of energy to be angry at a car that won’t start.

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