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Will Durant Quotes

100 Top Inspirational Will Durant Quotes

Famous As: American Writer Best Known for His Work 'The Story of Civilization'

Died On: November 7, 1981

Born In: North Adams, Massachusetts, United States

Died At Age: 96

Will Durant, an American philosopher, historian and 1968's Pulitzer Prize winning author co-wrote 'The Story of Civilization', an eleven-volume work with his writer wife, Ariel Durant. He perceived philosophy as a means to unify and humanize historical knowledge. His groundbreaking works- 'The Pleasure of Philosophy' and 'The Story of Philosophy' are contemporary application of his knowledge on American history, the Bible, religion, evolution as well as rebuilding and decline of human civilizations. Both his books are most successful histroriographical editorials in American history. Will, who's a recipient of 'Presidential Medal of Freedom' in 1977, started off as a reported for the New York Evening Journal. Following his graduation at St. Peter's College, Durant began his professional career as a school teacher. Will's life dramatically changed after the wedding. He quit teaching and went on to develop philosophical views regarding the society. He and his wife presented insightful stories of Western life, as it progressed through different ages. Will and Ariel's life is a struggle for equal wages, fair working condition, American labor rights and women security. Due to his revolutionary views and skilled tongue, he'll forever be remembered as an amazingly talented creative genius who inspired younger generations to think beyond the social realms without historical restrictions and boundaries. He had a profound impact on several subjects through his writings and thoughts. We have scanned through his most popular work and life observations to present some of Will Durant’s quotes. Here is a collection of Will Durant Quotes about civilization, books, philosophy, India, history, life, science, failures, mistakes, education, liberty and much more.

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Philosophers

Intellectuals & Academics

Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.

Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life.
Life
Will Durant

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit.
Will Durant

Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.

Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.
Will Durant

To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves. . . let us be above such transparent egotism.

To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves. . . let us be above such transparent egotism.
Will Durant

How much more suffering is caused by the thought of death than by death itself.

How much more suffering is caused by the thought of death than by death itself.
Death
Will Durant

Tolerance grows only when faith loses certainty; certainty is murderous.

Tolerance grows only when faith loses certainty; certainty is murderous.
Will Durant

Those who have suffered much become very bitter or very gentle.

Those who have suffered much become very bitter or very gentle.
Will Durant

Sixty years ago I knew everything; now I know nothing; education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.

Sixty years ago I knew everything; now I know nothing; education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance.
I
Will Durant

A nation is born stoic, and dies epicurean

A nation is born stoic, and dies epicurean
Will Durant

Forget mistakes. Forget failure. Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it. Today is your lucky day

Forget mistakes. Forget failure. Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it. Today is your lucky day
Will Durant

Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.

Civilization exists by geological consent, subject to change without notice.
Change
Will Durant

The greatest question of our time is not communism vs. individualism, not Europe vs. America, not even the East vs. the West; it is whether men can bear to live without God.

The greatest question of our time is not communism vs. individualism, not Europe vs. America, not even the East vs. the West; it is whether men can bear to live without God.
God Time
Will Durant

When liberty exceeds intelligence, it begets chaos, which begets dictatorship.

When liberty exceeds intelligence, it begets chaos, which begets dictatorship.
Will Durant

Every science begins as philosophy and ends as art; it arises in hypothesis and flows into achievement.

Every science begins as philosophy and ends as art; it arises in hypothesis and flows into achievement.
Will Durant

So the story of man runs in a dreary circle, because he is not yet master of the earth that holds him.

So the story of man runs in a dreary circle, because he is not yet master of the earth that holds him.
Will Durant

The trouble with most people is that they think with their hopes or fears or wishes rather than with their minds.

The trouble with most people is that they think with their hopes or fears or wishes rather than with their minds.
Think
Will Durant

Rome remained great as long as she had enemies who forced her to unity, vision, and heroism. When she had overcome them all she flourished for a moment and then began to die.

Rome remained great as long as she had enemies who forced her to unity, vision, and heroism. When she had overcome them all she flourished for a moment and then began to die.
Will Durant

There have been only 268 of the past 3,421 years free of war.

There have been only 268 of the past 3,421 years free of war.
Past War
Will Durant

History reports that the men who can manage men manage the men who can manage only things, and the men who can manage money manage all.

History reports that the men who can manage men manage the men who can manage only things, and the men who can manage money manage all.
Money History
Will Durant

In philosophy, as in politics, the longest distance between two points is a straight line.

In philosophy, as in politics, the longest distance between two points is a straight line.
Will Durant

You can’t fool all the people all the time,” but you can fool enough of them to rule a large country.

You can’t fool all the people all the time,” but you can fool enough of them to rule a large country.
You
Will Durant

In the end, nothing is lost. Every event, for good or evil, has effects forever.

In the end, nothing is lost. Every event, for good or evil, has effects forever.
Will Durant

Nature smiles at the union of freedom and equality in our utopias. For freedom and equality are sworn and everlasting enemies, and when one prevails the other dies.

Nature smiles at the union of freedom and equality in our utopias. For freedom and equality are sworn and everlasting enemies, and when one prevails the other dies.
Nature
Will Durant

History is an excellent teacher with few pupils.

History is an excellent teacher with few pupils.
History
Will Durant

In the last 3,421 years of recorded history only 268 have seen no war.

In the last 3,421 years of recorded history only 268 have seen no war.
War History
Will Durant

If we rated greatness by the influence of the great, we will say

If we rated greatness by the influence of the great, we will say "Muhammad is the greatest of the great in history
Will History
Will Durant

[N]o language has ever had a word for a virgin man.

[N]o language has ever had a word for a virgin man.
Will Durant

To rulers religion, like almost everything else, is a tool of power.

To rulers religion, like almost everything else, is a tool of power.
Like Power
Will Durant

A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself within

A great civilization is not conquered from without until it has destroyed itself within
Will Durant

The fear of capitalism has compelled socialism to widen freedom, and the fear of socialism has compelled capitalism to increase equality. East is West and West is East, and soon the twain will meet.

The fear of capitalism has compelled socialism to widen freedom, and the fear of socialism has compelled capitalism to increase equality. East is West and West is East, and soon the twain will meet.
Will Fear
Will Durant