1,551 Quotes by Bertrand Russell

Religion is based, I think, primarily and mainly upon fear.

Man can be scientifically manipulated.

The atomists , unlike Socrates , Plato , and Aristotle , sought to explain the world without introducing the notion of purpose or final cause.

Joy of life... depends upon a certain spontaneity in regard to sex. Where sex is repressed, only work remains, and a gospel of work for work's sake never produced any work worth doing.

The megalomaniac differs from the narcissist by the fact that he wishes to be powerful rather than charming, and seeks to be feared rather than loved. To this type belong many lunatics and most of the great men of history.

[There are m]oral precepts that we consider really important, such as 'don't pick your nose' or 'don't eat peas with a knife'. There may, for ought I know, be admirable reasons for eating peas with a knife, but . . . early persuasion has made me completely incapable of appreciating them.

The method of "postulating" what we want has many advantages; they are the same as the advantages of theft over honest toil.

A smell of petroleum prevails throughout.

Stupidity and unconscious bias often work more damage than venality.