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99 Inspiring Quotes By Aldous Huxley, The Author Of Brave New World

Famous As: Writer and Philosopher Best Known for His Novels: ‘Brave New World’, ‘Island’ and ‘Point Counter Point’
Born On: July 26, 1894
Died On: November 22, 1963
Born In: Godalming, England
Died At Age: 69

Aldous Leonard Huxley was an English novelist, intellectual, satirist and essayist, who rose to prominence in the 20th century as one of the most important literary figures of the time. He was born in the influential Huxley family which was known throughout England for producing some of the finest minds in the country and he was no exception. He studied at Eton College and then at Oxford University, before embarking on a remarkably successful career as a writer. He was also the editor of the Oxford Poetry magazine during his life as a university student. Huxley’s most famous works as a novelist includes the novel ‘Brave New World’, ‘Point Counter Point’, ‘The Perennial Philosophy’ and ‘Island’ among others. He was also a prolific writer of non-fiction and one of the well-known works in that genre is the book ‘The Doors of Perception.’ Huxley had also worked on movie scripts and had also been an active travel writer. His life’s work as a literary figure of rare gift saw him elected to the Royal Society of Literature as the Champion of Literature. Here are some of the best quotes from Aldous Huxley’s life and work that would certainly appeal to the curious mind.

Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.

Facts do not cease to exist because they are ignored.

Aldous Huxley
Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly -- they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.

Words can be like X-rays if you use them properly -- they’ll go through anything. You read and you’re pierced.

Aldous Huxley
After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.

After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.

Aldous Huxley
You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you mad.

You shall know the truth and the truth shall make you mad.

Aldous Huxley
But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.

But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.

Aldous Huxley
Maybe this world is another planet’s hell.

Maybe this world is another planet’s hell.

Aldous Huxley
The more powerful and original a mind, the more it will incline towards the religion of solitude.

The more powerful and original a mind, the more it will incline towards the religion of solitude.

Aldous Huxley
I want to know what passion is. I want to feel something strongly.

I want to know what passion is. I want to feel something strongly.

Aldous Huxley
If one's different, one's bound to be lonely.

If one's different, one's bound to be lonely.

Aldous Huxley
I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself.

I wanted to change the world. But I have found that the only thing one can be sure of changing is oneself.

Aldous Huxley
An intellectual is a person who has discovered something more interesting than sex.

An intellectual is a person who has discovered something more interesting than sex.

Aldous Huxley
There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.

There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.

Aldous Huxley
I am I, and I wish I weren't.

I am I, and I wish I weren't.

Aldous Huxley
That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.

That men do not learn very much from the lessons of history is the most important of all the lessons that history has to teach.

Aldous Huxley
I like being myself. Myself and nasty.

I like being myself. Myself and nasty.

Aldous Huxley
The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm.

The secret of genius is to carry the spirit of the child into old age, which means never losing your enthusiasm.

Aldous Huxley
Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him.

Experience is not what happens to a man; it is what a man does with what happens to him.

Aldous Huxley
One believes things because one has been conditioned to believe them.

One believes things because one has been conditioned to believe them.

Aldous Huxley
Every man's memory is his private literature.

Every man's memory is his private literature.

Aldous Huxley
All that happens means something; nothing you do is ever insignificant.

All that happens means something; nothing you do is ever insignificant.

Aldous Huxley
That all men are equal is a proposition which at ordinary times no sane individual has ever given his assent.

That all men are equal is a proposition which at ordinary times no sane individual has ever given his assent.

Aldous Huxley
Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.

Happiness is not achieved by the conscious pursuit of happiness; it is generally the by-product of other activities.

Aldous Huxley
Consistency is contrary to nature, contrary to life. The only completely consistent people are the dead.

Consistency is contrary to nature, contrary to life. The only completely consistent people are the dead.

Aldous Huxley
...most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution.

...most men and women will grow up to love their servitude and will never dream of revolution.

Aldous Huxley
There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.

There is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.

Aldous Huxley
Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.

Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.

Aldous Huxley
To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.

To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.

Aldous Huxley
No social stability without individual stability.

No social stability without individual stability.

Aldous Huxley
Ironically enough, the only people who can hold up indefinitely under the stress of modern war are psychotics. Individual insanity is immune to the consequences of collective insanity.

Ironically enough, the only people who can hold up indefinitely under the stress of modern war are psychotics. Individual insanity is immune to the consequences of collective insanity.

Aldous Huxley
I ate civilization. It poisoned me; I was defiled. And then,

I ate civilization. It poisoned me; I was defiled. And then," he added in a lower tone, "I ate my own wickedness.

Aldous Huxley
I'd rather be myself,

I'd rather be myself," he said. "Myself and nasty. Not somebody else, however jolly.

Aldous Huxley
The propagandist's purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.

The propagandist's purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.

Aldous Huxley
For in spite of language, in spite of intelligence and intuition and sympathy, one can never really communicate anything to anybody.

For in spite of language, in spite of intelligence and intuition and sympathy, one can never really communicate anything to anybody.

Aldous Huxley
...reality, however utopian, is something from which people feel the need of taking pretty frequent holidays....

...reality, however utopian, is something from which people feel the need of taking pretty frequent holidays....

Aldous Huxley
Experience teaches only the teachable.

Experience teaches only the teachable.

Aldous Huxley
I'm afraid of losing my obscurity. Genuineness only thrives in the dark. Like celery.

I'm afraid of losing my obscurity. Genuineness only thrives in the dark. Like celery.

Aldous Huxley
To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.

To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.

Aldous Huxley
Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards.

Technological progress has merely provided us with more efficient means for going backwards.

Aldous Huxley
There was a thing called Heaven; but all the same they used to drink enormous quantities of alcohol.

There was a thing called Heaven; but all the same they used to drink enormous quantities of alcohol.

Aldous Huxley
One of the principal functions of a friend is to suffer (in a milder and symbolic form) the punishments that we should like, but are unable, to inflict upon our enemies.

One of the principal functions of a friend is to suffer (in a milder and symbolic form) the punishments that we should like, but are unable, to inflict upon our enemies.

Aldous Huxley
It is a bit embarrassing to have been concerned with the human problem all one's life and find at the end that one has no more to offer by way of advice than 'Try to be a little kinder.

It is a bit embarrassing to have been concerned with the human problem all one's life and find at the end that one has no more to offer by way of advice than 'Try to be a little kinder.

Aldous Huxley
We are all geniuses up to the age of ten.

We are all geniuses up to the age of ten.

Aldous Huxley
Great is truth, but still greater, from a practical point of view, is silence about truth.

Great is truth, but still greater, from a practical point of view, is silence about truth.

Aldous Huxley
I want God, I want poetry, I want danger, I want freedom, I want sin.

I want God, I want poetry, I want danger, I want freedom, I want sin.

Aldous Huxley
Ending is better than mending.

Ending is better than mending.

Aldous Huxley
Liberties aren't given, they are taken.

Liberties aren't given, they are taken.

Aldous Huxley
A love of nature keeps no factories busy.

A love of nature keeps no factories busy.

Aldous Huxley
It is natural to believe in God when you're alone-- quite alone, in the night, thinking about death.

It is natural to believe in God when you're alone-- quite alone, in the night, thinking about death.

Aldous Huxley
We are not our own any more than what we possess is our own. We did not make ourselves, we cannot be supreme over ourselves. We are not our own masters.

We are not our own any more than what we possess is our own. We did not make ourselves, we cannot be supreme over ourselves. We are not our own masters.

Aldous Huxley
Pain was a fascinating horror

Pain was a fascinating horror

Aldous Huxley
All gods are homemade, and it is we who pull their strings, and so, give them the power to pull ours.

All gods are homemade, and it is we who pull their strings, and so, give them the power to pull ours.

Aldous Huxley
It's a little embarrassing that after 45 years of research & study, the best advice I can give people is to be a little kinder to each other.

It's a little embarrassing that after 45 years of research & study, the best advice I can give people is to be a little kinder to each other.

Aldous Huxley
The leech's kiss, the squid's embrace,
The prurient ape's defiling touch:
And do you like the human race?
No, not much.

The leech's kiss, the squid's embrace, The prurient ape's defiling touch: And do you like the human race? No, not much.

Aldous Huxley
It isn't a matter of forgetting. What one has to learn is how to remember and yet be free of the past.

It isn't a matter of forgetting. What one has to learn is how to remember and yet be free of the past.

Aldous Huxley
...two thirds of all sorrow is homemade and, so far as the universe is concerned, unnecessary.

...two thirds of all sorrow is homemade and, so far as the universe is concerned, unnecessary.

Aldous Huxley
We cannot reason ourselves out of our basic irrationality. All we can do is learn the art of being irrational in a reasonable way.

We cannot reason ourselves out of our basic irrationality. All we can do is learn the art of being irrational in a reasonable way.

Aldous Huxley
Did you eat something that didn't agree with you?

Did you eat something that didn't agree with you?" asked Bernard. The Savage nodded. "I ate civilization.

Aldous Huxley
Universal happiness keeps the wheels steadily turning, truth and beauty can't.

Universal happiness keeps the wheels steadily turning, truth and beauty can't.

Aldous Huxley
The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different.

The charm of history and its enigmatic lesson consist in the fact that, from age to age, nothing changes and yet everything is completely different.

Aldous Huxley
I can sympathize with people's pains, but not with their pleasure. There is something curiously boring about somebody else's happiness.

I can sympathize with people's pains, but not with their pleasure. There is something curiously boring about somebody else's happiness.

Aldous Huxley
A bad book is as much of a labor to write as a good one; it comes as sincerely from the author's soul.

A bad book is as much of a labor to write as a good one; it comes as sincerely from the author's soul.

Aldous Huxley
The trouble with fiction,

The trouble with fiction," said John Rivers, "is that it makes too much sense. Reality never makes sense.

Aldous Huxley
A man can smile and smile and be a villain.

A man can smile and smile and be a villain.

Aldous Huxley
But then every man is ludicrous if you look at him from outside, without taking into account what’s going on in his heart and mind.

But then every man is ludicrous if you look at him from outside, without taking into account what’s going on in his heart and mind.

Aldous Huxley
When people are suspicious with you, you start being suspicious with them.

When people are suspicious with you, you start being suspicious with them.

Aldous Huxley
My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.

My father considered a walk among the mountains as the equivalent of churchgoing.

Aldous Huxley
So long as men worship the Caesars and Napoleons, Caesars and Napoleons will duly rise and make them miserable.

So long as men worship the Caesars and Napoleons, Caesars and Napoleons will duly rise and make them miserable.

Aldous Huxley
The course of every intellectual, if he pursues his journey long and unflinchingly enough, ends in the obvious, from which the non-intellectuals have never stirred.

The course of every intellectual, if he pursues his journey long and unflinchingly enough, ends in the obvious, from which the non-intellectuals have never stirred.

Aldous Huxley
Never put off till tomorrow the fun you can have today.

Never put off till tomorrow the fun you can have today.

Aldous Huxley
We don't want to change. Every change is a menace to stability.

We don't want to change. Every change is a menace to stability.

Aldous Huxley
Consciousness is only possible through change; change is only possible through movement.

Consciousness is only possible through change; change is only possible through movement.

Aldous Huxley
It isn’t only art that is incompatible with happiness, it’s also science. Science is dangerous, we have to keep it most carefully chained and muzzled.

It isn’t only art that is incompatible with happiness, it’s also science. Science is dangerous, we have to keep it most carefully chained and muzzled.

Aldous Huxley
Writers write to influence their readers, their preachers, their auditors, but always, at bottom, to be more themselves.

Writers write to influence their readers, their preachers, their auditors, but always, at bottom, to be more themselves.

Aldous Huxley
I was born wandering between two worlds, one dead, the other powerless to be born, and have made, in a curious way, the worst of both.

I was born wandering between two worlds, one dead, the other powerless to be born, and have made, in a curious way, the worst of both.

Aldous Huxley
The more a man knows about himself in relation to every kind of experience, the greater his chance of suddenly, one fine morning, realizing who in fact he is...

The more a man knows about himself in relation to every kind of experience, the greater his chance of suddenly, one fine morning, realizing who in fact he is...

Aldous Huxley
An unexciting truth may be eclipsed by a thrilling falsehood.

An unexciting truth may be eclipsed by a thrilling falsehood.

Aldous Huxley
Don't try to behave as though you were essentially sane and naturally good. We're all demented sinners in the same cosmic boat - and the boat is perpetually sinking.

Don't try to behave as though you were essentially sane and naturally good. We're all demented sinners in the same cosmic boat - and the boat is perpetually sinking.

Aldous Huxley
I'm claiming the right to be unhappy.

I'm claiming the right to be unhappy.

Aldous Huxley
We live together, we act on, and react to one another; but always, and in all circumstances, we are by ourselves.

We live together, we act on, and react to one another; but always, and in all circumstances, we are by ourselves.

Aldous Huxley
Hug me till you drug me, honey;
Kiss me till I'm in a coma.

Hug me till you drug me, honey; Kiss me till I'm in a coma.

Aldous Huxley
Nobody can have the consolations of religion or philosophy unless he has first experienced their desolations.

Nobody can have the consolations of religion or philosophy unless he has first experienced their desolations.

Aldous Huxley
What’s the point of truth or beauty or knowledge when anthrax bombs are popping all around you?

What’s the point of truth or beauty or knowledge when anthrax bombs are popping all around you?

Aldous Huxley
Those who meant well behaved in the same way as those who meant badly.

Those who meant well behaved in the same way as those who meant badly.

Aldous Huxley
Happiness has got to be paid for. You're paying for it, Mr. Watson–paying because you happen to be too much interested in beauty. I was too much interested in truth; I paid too.

Happiness has got to be paid for. You're paying for it, Mr. Watson–paying because you happen to be too much interested in beauty. I was too much interested in truth; I paid too.

Aldous Huxley
Each person is at each moment capable of remembering all that has ever happened to him and of perceiving everything that is happening everywhere in the universe.

Each person is at each moment capable of remembering all that has ever happened to him and of perceiving everything that is happening everywhere in the universe.

Aldous Huxley
Children are remarkable for their intelligence and ardor, for their curiosity, their intolerance of shams, the clarity and ruthlessness of their vision.

Children are remarkable for their intelligence and ardor, for their curiosity, their intolerance of shams, the clarity and ruthlessness of their vision.

Aldous Huxley
Universal education has created an immense class of what I may call the New Stupid, hungering for certainty yet unable to find it in the traditional myths and their rationalizations.

Universal education has created an immense class of what I may call the New Stupid, hungering for certainty yet unable to find it in the traditional myths and their rationalizations.

Aldous Huxley
Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery.

Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery.

Aldous Huxley
Words form the thread on which we string our experiences.

Words form the thread on which we string our experiences.

Aldous Huxley
I know the outer world as well as you do, and I judge it. You know nothing of my inner world, and yet you presume to judge that world.

I know the outer world as well as you do, and I judge it. You know nothing of my inner world, and yet you presume to judge that world.

Aldous Huxley
We shall be permitted to live on this planet only for as long as we treat all nature with compassion and intelligence.

We shall be permitted to live on this planet only for as long as we treat all nature with compassion and intelligence.

Aldous Huxley
Perhaps it's good for one to suffer. Can an artist do anything if he's happy? Would he ever want to do anything? What is art, after all, but a protest against the horrible inclemency of life?

Perhaps it's good for one to suffer. Can an artist do anything if he's happy? Would he ever want to do anything? What is art, after all, but a protest against the horrible inclemency of life?

Aldous Huxley
Habit converts luxurious enjoyments into dull and daily necessities.

Habit converts luxurious enjoyments into dull and daily necessities.

Aldous Huxley
The optimum population is modeled on the iceberg- eight-ninths below the water line, one-ninth above.

The optimum population is modeled on the iceberg- eight-ninths below the water line, one-ninth above.

Aldous Huxley
Man is an intelligence, not served by, but in servitude to his organs.

Man is an intelligence, not served by, but in servitude to his organs.

Aldous Huxley
They're old; they're about God hundreds of years ago. Not about God now

They're old; they're about God hundreds of years ago. Not about God now" "But God doesn't change" "Men do though

Aldous Huxley
These are the sort of things people ought to look at. Things without pretensions, satisfied to be merely themselves.

These are the sort of things people ought to look at. Things without pretensions, satisfied to be merely themselves.

Aldous Huxley
Back to culture. Yes, actually to culture. You can’t consume much if you sit still and read books.

Back to culture. Yes, actually to culture. You can’t consume much if you sit still and read books.

Aldous Huxley
Can you say something about nothing?

Can you say something about nothing?

Aldous Huxley