Quotes About Reason

Our impulsive belief is here always what sets up the original body of truth, and our articulately verbalized philosophy is but its showy translation into formulas. The unreasoned and immediate assurance is the deep thing in us, the reasoned argument is but a surface exhibition. Instinct leads, intelligence does but follow.

That was it. That was all of it. A grace so ordinary there was no reason at all to remember it. Yet I have never across the forty years since it was spoken forgotten a single word.

But in many circumstances this is a false choice for one compelling reason: If a message can't be used to make predictions or decisions, it is without value, no matter how accurate or comprehensive it is.

Hope not built on reason brings disappointment only.

There's always a connection, a reason because of which people enter your orbit, bristling with dark energy like a meteor intent on collision.

Reason, it seems to me, is useless in these matters, becomes either an apologist for faith or its persecutor. Catch me tomorrow; I may change my mind. Today, I'm happy deferring to the muddle.

The split in America, rather than simply economic, is between those who embrace reason, who function in the real world of cause and effect, and those who, numbed by isolation and despair, now seek meaning in a mythical world of intuition, a world that is no longer reality-based, a world of magic.

The greatest danger that besets us does not come from believers or atheists; it comes from those who, under the guise of religion, science or reason, imagine that we can free ourselves from the limitations of human nature and perfect the human species.

So, what was the reason for the number of biblical citations being so high? Well, it was that most of the biblical citations came from sermons, as Lutz clearly explained:

I want to be wrong. I want this all to have a reasonable...

As to the last question, the present situation allows no prediction. One can simply say that there seems to be no objective reason for assuming that hominization has reached an unsurpassable summit.

So is it just human nature to believe that things happen for a reason—to find some shred of meaning even in the worst experiences?

I find it most offensive that the character of Reason, whom [ Jean den Meun (author of the Romance of the Rose )] himself calls the daughter of God, should put forth such a statement as ... where she says by way of a proverb that "in the war of Love it is better to deceive than be deceived." And indeed I dare say that in making that statement Jean den Meun 's Reason denied her Father, for the doctrine He gave was altogether different.

Don't cater to stupidity.

Human nature...is more powerfully acted on through imagination and sentiments than through intellect and reason.

It was said that the dumber an idea was, the more likely its proponent to come forward brandishing a flag and a Bible. This was because the normal political currencies of reason and logic could offer no support.

There is no point in arguing if you are not susceptible to reason. Embrace your cynicism. Hug it.

Passionate subjects must be dealt with in cold blood.

Natural Magick is taken to be nothing else, but the chief power of all the natural Sciences; which therefore they call the top and perfection of Natural Philosophy, and which is indeed the active part of the same; which by the assistance of natural forces and faculties, through their mutual & opportune application, performs those things that are above Human Reason.

The Bourbon King was first ambassador of reason and human happiness.

If there's no apparent reason for something to change, then why does it change? Is it a dog's nature to vary behaviour when life becomes too comfortable? Is it ours?

What is he collecting them for?

En ce sens, on pourrait dire que la nature obtient souvent elle-même des succès de caricaturiste. Dans le mouvement par lequel elle a fendu cette bouche, rétréci ce menton, gonflé cette joue, il semble qu'elle ait réussi à aller jusqu'au bout de sa grimace, trompant la surveillance modératrice d'une force plus raisonnable. Nous rions alors d'un visage qui est à lui-même pour ainsi dire, sa propre caricature.

It is truth alone--scientific, established, proved, and rational truth--which is capable of satisfying nowadays the awakened minds of all classes. We may still say perhaps "faith governs the world"--but the faith of the present is no longer in revelation or in the priest--it is in reason and science.