160 Quotes by Daniel J. Boorstin

The Republic of Technology where we will be living is a feedback world.

There is no disinfectant like success.

While the easiest way in metaphysics is to condemn all metaphysics as nonsense, the easiest way in morals is to elevate the common practice of the community into a moral absolute.

The history of Western science confirms the aphorism that the great menace to progress is not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge.

The hero was distinguished by his achievement; the celebrity by his image or trademark. The hero created himself; the celebrity is created by the media. The hero was a big man; the celebrity is a big name.

If our knowledge is, as I believe, only an island in an infinite sea of ignorance, how can we in our short lifetime find satisfaction in exploring our little island? How can we persuade ourselves to be exhilarated by our meager knowledge and yet not be discouraged by the ocean vistas?

Education is learning what you didn’t even know you didn’t know.

The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance – it is the illusion of knowledge.

In the twentieth century our highest praise is to call the Bible ‘The World’s Best Seller.’ And it has come to be more and more difficult to say whether we think it is a best seller because it is great, or vice versa.