Quotes from Rene Descartes

Doubt is the origin of wisdom

Common sense is the most widely shared commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it.

And thus, the actions of life often not allowing any delay, it is a truth very certain that, when it is not in our power to determine the most true opinions we ought to follow the most probable.

The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues.

I desire to live in peace and to continue the life I have begun under the motto 'to live well you must live unseen

Masked, I advance.

There is nothing more ancient than the truth.

In order to improve the mind, we ought less to learn than to contemplate.

He who hid well, lived well.

For I found myself embarrassed with so many doubts and errors that it seemed to me that the effort to instruct myself had no effect other than the increasing discovery of my own ignorance

Dubium sapientiae initium. ( Doubt is the origin of wisdom .)

At last I will devote myself sincerely and without reservation to the general demolition of my opinions.

I know that I exist; the question is, What is this 'I' that 'I' know.

Mathematics is a more powerful instrument of knowledge than any other that has been bequeathed to us by human agency.

I was convinced that our beliefs are based much more on custom and example than on any certain knowledge.

Intuitive knowledge is an illumination of the soul, whereby it beholds in the light of God those things which it pleases Him to reveal to us by a direct impression of divine clearness.

We never understand a thing so well,and make it our own, as when we have discovered it for ourselves.

In order to improve the mind, we ought less to learn, than to contemplate.

How can you be certain that your whole life is not a dream?

The greatest minds are capable of the greatest vices as well as of the greatest virtues.

Science is practical philosophy.

But in my opinion, all things in nature occur mathematically.

And thereby make ourselves, as it were, the lords and masters of nature.

I should consider that I know nothing about physics if I were able to explain only how things might be, and were unable to demonstrate that they could not be otherwise.