Russell, Bertrand

"The degree of one's emotions varies inversely with one's knowledge of the facts -- the less you know the hotter you get."

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts."

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

"To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness."

"Most people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so."

"Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so."

"Patriotism is the willingness to kill and be killed for trivial reasons."

"Conventional people are roused to fury by departure from convention, largely because they regard such departure as a criticism of themselves."

"Freedom of opinion can only exist when the government thinks itself secure."

"If we were all given by magic the power to read each other's thoughts, I suppose the first effect would be to dissolve all friendships."

"Man needs, for his happiness, not only the enjoyment of this or that, but hope and enterprise and change."

"Much that passes as idealism is disguised hatred or disguised love of power."

"Man can be scientifically manipulated."

"Religions that teach brotherly love have been used as an excuse for persecution, and our profoundest scientific insight is made into a means of mass destruction."

"Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind." - Autobiography

"No one gossips about other people's secret virtues." - On Education

"The infliction of cruelty with a good conscience is a delight to moralists. That is why they invented Hell." - Sceptical Essays

"What hunger is in relation to food, zest is in relation to life." - The Conquest of Happiness

"Boredom is a vital problem for the moralist, since at least half the sins of mankind are caused by the fear of it." - The Conquest of Happiness

"One should respect public opinion in so far as is necessary to avoid starvation and to keep out of prison, but anything that goes beyond this is voluntary submission to an unnecessary tyranny." - The Conquest of Happiness

"In America everybody is of the opinion that he has no social superiors, since all men are equal, but he does not admit that he has no social inferiors." - Unpopular Essays

"The most savage controversies are those about matters as to which there is no good evidence either way." - Unpopular Essays

"Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom." - Unpopular Essays