Bertrand Russell

British philosopher, logician, mathematician, social reformer and recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1950

Bertrand Russell quotes

Bertrand Russell on philosophy, mathematics, politics and happiness


A polymath who contributed to a vast catalog of works, Bertrand Russell was perhaps best known for his philosophical writings that campaigned against imperialism, fascism, and totalitarianism in the midst of the outpouring of war in Europe in the middle of the twentieth century. A Noble Laureate and prolific academic writer, Russell’s words are a testament to his humanitarian ideals.

Many of his most valuable and inspiring quotes are related to his philosophy regarded as ‘freedom of thought,’ and throughout his life, he was known as a liberal, a socialist, and a pacifist. Accepted as one of the finest minds of the twentieth century, Russell’s contribution to philosophy should not be underestimated.

 
quotes about cooperation
The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation.
- Bertrand Russell
Most people would rather die than think; in fact, they do so.
- Bertrand Russell
If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have a paradise in a few years.
- Bertrand Russell
Neither a man nor a crowd nor a nation can be trusted to act humanely or to think sanely under the influence of a great fear.
- Bertrand Russell
Indignation is a submission of our thoughts, but not of our desires.
- Bertrand Russell
One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one's work is terribly important.
- Bertrand Russell
One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important.
- Bertrand Russell
I've made an odd discovery. Every time I talk to a savant I feel quite sure that happiness is no longer a possibility. Yet when I talk with my gardener, I'm convinced of the opposite.
- Bertrand Russell
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.
- Bertrand Russell
The most valuable things in life are not measured in monetary terms. The really important things are not houses and lands, stocks and bonds, automobiles and real state, but friendships, trust, confidence, empathy, mercy, love, and faith.
- Bertrand Russell
Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness.
- Bertrand Russell
A smile happens in a flash, but its memory can last a lifetime.
- Bertrand Russell
The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that will allow a solution.
- Bertrand Russell
The slave is doomed to worship time and fate and death, because they are greater than anything he finds in himself, and because all his thoughts are of things which they devour.
- Bertrand Russell
The scientific attitude of mind involves a sweeping away of all other desires in the interest of the desire to know.
- Bertrand Russell
One of the most powerful of all our passions is the desire to be admired and respected.
- Bertrand Russell
Order, unity, and continuity are human inventions, just as truly as catalogues and encyclopedias.
- Bertrand Russell
One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important.
- Bertrand Russell
Drunkenness is temporary suicide.
- Bertrand Russell
The secret of happiness is to face the fact that the world is horrible, horrible, horrible.
- Bertrand Russell
The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation.
- Bertrand Russell
I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.
- Bertrand Russell
A stupid man's report of what a clever man says can never be accurate, because he unconciously translates what he hears into something he can understand.
- Bertrand Russell
Fanaticism is the danger of the world, and always has been, and has done untold harm. I might almost say that I was fanatical against fanaticism.
- Bertrand Russell
Whoever wishes to become a philosopher must learn not to be frightened by absurdities.
- Bertrand Russell
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