412 Quotes by Alfred North Whitehead

Fundamental progress has to do with the reinterpretation of basic ideas.

Imagination is not to be divorced from the facts. It is a way of illuminating the facts.

Do not teach too many subjects and what you teach, teach thoroughly.

Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them.

I will not go so far as to say that to construct a history of thought without profound study of the mathematical ideas of successive epochs is like omitting Hamlet from the play which is named after him. That would be claiming too much. But it is certainly analogous to cutting out the part of Ophelia. This simile is singularly exact. For Ophelia is quite essential to the play, she is very charming . . . and a little mad.

The silly question is the first intimation of some totally new development.

In order to acquire learning, we must first shake ourselves free of it.

True courage is not the brutal force of vulgar heroes. Rather the firm resolve of virtue and reason.

There is no greater hindrance to the progress of thought than an attitude of irritated party-spirit.