Quotes About Reason

Only the carrying out stamps the resolve; till then, it is always a mere intention that can be altered; it exists only in reason, in the abstract. Only in reflection are willing and acting different; in reality they are one.

Therefore it has always been said that music is the language of feeling and of passion, as words are the language of reason.

Nothing is without a reason why it is rather than it is not

To will [Wollen]! Great words! pointer on the scales of the Last Judgment, the bridge between heaven and hell! Reason is not the light shining from heaven, but only a sign post set up by ourselves and directed to the chosen goal, that it may show us the direction when the goal itself is concealed. But one can direct it to hell just as well to heaven.

The theoretical philosopher transforms life into ideas. The practical philosopher transforms ideas into life; he acts, therefore, in a thoroughly reasonable manner; he is consistent, regular, deliberate; he is never hasty or passionate; he never allows himself to be influenced by the impression of the moment.

On the Fourfold Root of the Principle of Sufficient Reason is Schopenhauer's doctoral dissertation, which he wrote in 1813

Reason is of a feminine nature: it can give only after it has received. On its own, it possesses nothing but the empty forms of its own operation. Completely pure rational cognition gives us in fact only four things, the very metalogical truths.

Il ne nous est pas parmi de parler de raison absolue, et il n'existe pas plus une raison en général qu'il n'existe un triangle en général, si ce n'est sous forme de raison abstraite, obtenue discursivement par la pensée et qui, à titre de représentation extraite d'une représentation, n'est qu'un moyen d'embrasser par l'esprit beaucoup de chose en une seule

Come nel tempo ciascun attimo esiste solo in quanto ha cancellato l'attimo precedente - suo padre - per venire anch'esso con la medesima rapidità alla sua volta cancellato; come passato e avvenire (facendo astrazione dalle conseguenze del loro contenuto) sono illusori a modo di sogni, e il presente non è che un limite tra quelli, privo di estensione e durata: proprio così riconosceremo la stessa nullità anche in tutte le altre forme del principio di ragione.

they are nothing more than pseudo-accounts by which he seeks to satisfy his own reason about a good deed

Nature is unfathomable because we seek after causes and consequences in a realm where this form is not to be found. We try to reach the inner being of nature, which looks out at us from every phenomenon, under the guidance of the principle of sufficient reason - whereas this is merely the form under which our intellect comprehends appearance, i.e. the surface of things, while we want to employ it beyond the bounds of appearance; for within these bounds it is serviceable and sufficient.

Wesley declared, "Some have exalted religious fasting beyond all Scripture and reason; and others have utterly disregarded it.7 In studiously avoiding the one, let us watch against the other. The much more prevalent error of our day is an easy indulgence which permits us to pamper the flesh when we should buffet it; to feast and enjoy ourselves when we ought to fast and to pray.

Io non sposerò nessuno mi rispose. Quando le chiesi perché, mi spiegò che voleva essere libera di morire in modo irresponsabile, senza preavviso e senza motivo.

be free to die irresponsibly, without notice and for no reason.

There is an old story about the boy at Eton who committed suicide. The other boys in his house were gathered together and asked if any of them could suggest a reason for the tragedy. After a long silence a small boy in the front put up his hand: 'Could it have been the food, sir?

Out of my flesh that hungers and my mouth that knows comes the shape I am seeking for reason.

Men who reject the responsibility of thought and reason can only exist as parasites on the thinking of others.

Reason is not automatic. Those who deny it cannot be conquered by it. Do not count on them. Leave them alone.

I am, therefore I'll think

Reason can be fought with reason. How are you going to fight the unreasonable? The trouble with you, my dear, and with most people, is that you don't have sufficient respect for the senseless. The senseless is the major factor in our lives. You have no chance if it is your enemy.

A Conformist is a man who declares, It's true because others believe it - but an Individualist is NOT a man who declares, It's true because I believe it. An Individual declares, I believe it because I see in reason that it is true.

Love is blind, they say; sex is impervious to reason and mocks the power of all philosophers. But, in fact, a man's sexual choice is the result and the sum of his fundamental convictions. Tell me what a man finds sexually attractive and I will tell you his entire philosophy of life. Show me the woman he sleeps with and I will tell you his valuation of himself.

Those who tell you that man is unable to perceive a reality undistorted by his senses, mean that they are unwilling to perceive a reality undistorted by their feelings. Things as they are are things as perceived by your mind; divorce them from reason and they become things as perceived by your wishes.

To a life; which is reason unto itself.