Quotes About Philosophy

Exclusively of the abstract sciences, the largest and worthiest portion of our knowledge consists of aphorisms: and the greatest and best of men is but an aphorism.

In looking at objects of Nature while I am thinking, as at yonder moon dim-glimmering through the dewy window-pane, I seem rather to be seeking, as it were asking for, a symbolical language for something within me that already and forever exists, than observing anything new.

The best part of human language, properly so called, is derived from reflection on the acts of the mind itself.

Every man is born an Aristotelian or a Platonist. I do not think it possible that anyone born an Aristotelian can become a Platonist; and I am sure that no born Platonist can ever change into an Aristotelian…. The one considers reason a quality, or attribute; the other considers it a power.

A man of maxims only is like a Cyclops with one eye, and that in the back of his head.

During the act of knowledge itself, the objective and subjective are so instantly united, that we cannot determine to which of the two the priority belongs.

The wise only possess ideas the greater part of mankind are possessed by them.

There is one art of which man should be master, the art of reflection.

The killing of time is the worst of murders. Daniel Defoe

A POET IS SOMEONE who is very happy and very sad, who is quick to anger and who loves intensely, who feels strongly. Children are like that, too. A philosopher is someone who is very observant, who ponders and wants to know how things really are. Children are like that, too.

regrets are a waste of good drinking time,

Because beautiful things always make us sad,' she replied, closing her eyes and nestling her head against his. 'Why?' 'Because we can't hold onto them forever.' 'No, because they're transient, like a rainbow or a sunset. Nothing beautiful lasts. Or perhaps because they remind us of where we came from and our spirits long to return

when one has searched for these as realities, who desires and what is desired?

Bukankah langit kosong tetapi isi? Dan bukankah hatimu penuh dengan isi tetapi kosong?

Nasib memang diserahkan kepada manusia untuk digarap, tetapi takdir harus ditandatangani di atas materai dan tidak boleh digugat kalau nanti terjadi apa-apa, baik atau buruk. Kata yang ada di Langit sana, kalau baik ya alhamdulillah, kalau buruk ya disyukuri saja. (20)

Ia beriman pada takdir, yang tidak mengenal seandainya.

When it comes to linguistic form, Plato walks with the Macedonian swineherd, Confucius with the head-hunting savage of Assam.

I groan much but to what end? Humans simply Cannot be ageless like divinities.

To have beauty is to have only that, but to have goodness is to be beautiful too" As translated by Suzy Q. Groden in Sappho: Poems (1966)

Wie mooi is, is mooi zolang je kijkt, wie mooi en goed is, zal mooi blijven.

The personal is theoretical.

Happiness," Silette wrote, "is the temporary result of denying the knowledge one already has.

Communism," I observed, "is a pile of wank.

Life is but thought.