1,551 Quotes by Bertrand Russell

I did not, however, commit suicide, because I wished to know more of mathematics.

There are infinite possibilities of error, and more cranks take up fashionable untruths than unfashionable truths.

Something of the hermit's temper is an essential element in many forms of excellence, since it enables men to resist the lure of popularity, to pursue important work in spite of general indifference or hostility, and arrive at opinions which are opposed to prevalent errors.

Some `advanced thinkers' are of the opinion that anyone who differs from the conventional opinion must be in the right. This is a delusion; if it were not, truth would be easier to come by than it is.

What is best in mathematics deserves not merely to be learnt as a task, but to assimilated as a part of daily thought, and brought again and again before the mind with ever-renewed encouragement.

The wise use of leisure, it must be conceded, is a product of civilization and education.

Through the greatness of the universe, which philosophy contemplates, the mind also is rendered great, and becomes capable of that union with the universe which constitutes its highest good.

The use of self control is like the use of brakes on train. It is useful when you find yourself in wrong direction but merely harmful when the direction is right

One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important.