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100 Inspirational Quotes By Bertrand Russell That Portray The Positive Aspects Of Life

Famous As: Philosopher
Born On: May 18, 1872
Died On: February 2, 1970
Born In: Trellech, Monmouthshire, Wales
Died At Age: 97

Nobel Laureate Bertrand Arthur William Russell was a British polymath who rose to prominence primarily as a philosopher, and later as a logician, mathematician, historian, writer, social critic and political activist. Despite being a renowned philosopher, Bertrand Russell is remembered for his political activism and altercations with the British government. Though Russell shuffled as a liberal, a socialite and a pacifist in his life, he never adapted any of these. He is best known for escorting the British ‘revolt against idealism’. Russell is also believed to be the founder of the analytic philosophy, His prominent philosophical essay ‘On Denoting’ is famously remarked as a ‘paradigm of philosophy’. Much of Russell’s philosophical works exerted a strong influence on varying subjects including logic, mathematics, set theory, linguistics, epistemology and metaphysics. In his life, Russell dearly advocated anti-war sentiments. He championed anti-imperialism and also campaigned against Adolf Hitler. Russell also openly criticised Stalinist totalitarianism, and attacked the involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War. He was an outspoken proponent of nuclear disarmament. His writings are reflective of his humanitarian ideals and freedom of thought. The same can also be seen in his quotes that touch a wide variety of aspects of life. Explore some of the best known quotes by Bertrand Russell in this section.

There are two motives for reading a book; one, that you enjoy it; the other, that you can boast about it.

There are two motives for reading a book; one, that you enjoy it; the other, that you can boast about it.

Bertrand Russell
Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness.

Of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness.

Bertrand Russell
Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.

Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.

Bertrand Russell
The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.

The fundamental cause of the trouble is that in the modern world the stupid are cocksure while the intelligent are full of doubt.

Bertrand Russell
To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already 3-parts dead.

To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already 3-parts dead.

Bertrand Russell
I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.

I would never die for my beliefs because I might be wrong.

Bertrand Russell
And if there were a God, I think it very unlikely that He would have such an uneasy vanity as to be offended by those who doubt His existence

And if there were a God, I think it very unlikely that He would have such an uneasy vanity as to be offended by those who doubt His existence

Bertrand Russell
Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.

Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.

Bertrand Russell
In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.

In all affairs it's a healthy thing now and then to hang a question mark on the things you have long taken for granted.

Bertrand Russell
A stupid man's report of what a clever man says can never be accurate, because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand.

A stupid man's report of what a clever man says can never be accurate, because he unconsciously translates what he hears into something he can understand.

Bertrand Russell
Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.

Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.

Bertrand Russell
One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important.

One of the symptoms of an approaching nervous breakdown is the belief that one’s work is terribly important.

Bertrand Russell
It's easy to fall in love. The hard part is finding someone to catch you.

It's easy to fall in love. The hard part is finding someone to catch you.

Bertrand Russell
Most people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so.

Most people would sooner die than think; in fact, they do so.

Bertrand Russell
The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.

The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which to burn.

Bertrand Russell
To teach how to live without certainty, and yet without being paralyzed by hesitation, is perhaps the chief thing that philosophy, in our age, can still do for those who study it.

To teach how to live without certainty, and yet without being paralyzed by hesitation, is perhaps the chief thing that philosophy, in our age, can still do for those who study it.

Bertrand Russell
Those who have never known the deep intimacy and the intense companionship of happy mutual love have missed the best thing that life has to give.

Those who have never known the deep intimacy and the intense companionship of happy mutual love have missed the best thing that life has to give.

Bertrand Russell
It is the preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else that prevents us from living freely and nobly.

It is the preoccupation with possessions, more than anything else that prevents us from living freely and nobly.

Bertrand Russell
We know very little, and yet it is astonishing that we know so much, and still more astonishing that so little knowledge can give us so much power.

We know very little, and yet it is astonishing that we know so much, and still more astonishing that so little knowledge can give us so much power.

Bertrand Russell
No one gossips about other people’s secret virtues.

No one gossips about other people’s secret virtues.

Bertrand Russell
It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence which could support this.

It has been said that man is a rational animal. All my life I have been searching for evidence which could support this.

Bertrand Russell
Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd.

Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd.

Bertrand Russell
The secret of happiness is to face the fact that the world is horrible, horrible, horrible.

The secret of happiness is to face the fact that the world is horrible, horrible, horrible.

Bertrand Russell
Really high-minded people are indifferent to happiness, especially other people's.

Really high-minded people are indifferent to happiness, especially other people's.

Bertrand Russell
Patriots always talk of dying for their country but never of killing for their country.

Patriots always talk of dying for their country but never of killing for their country.

Bertrand Russell
So far as I can remember there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.

So far as I can remember there is not one word in the Gospels in praise of intelligence.

Bertrand Russell
If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years.

If there were in the world today any large number of people who desired their own happiness more than they desired the unhappiness of others, we could have paradise in a few years.

Bertrand Russell
Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality.

Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality.

Bertrand Russell
[T]he infliction of cruelty with a good conscience is a delight to moralists. That is why they invented Hell.

[T]he infliction of cruelty with a good conscience is a delight to moralists. That is why they invented Hell.

Bertrand Russell
I believe in using words, not fists. I believe in my outrage knowing people are living in boxes on the street. I believe in honesty. I believe in a good time. I believe in good food. I believe in sex.

I believe in using words, not fists. I believe in my outrage knowing people are living in boxes on the street. I believe in honesty. I believe in a good time. I believe in good food. I believe in sex.

Bertrand Russell