So far as we are human, what we do must be either evil or good: so far as we do evil or good, we are human: and it is better, in a paradoxical way, to do evil than to do nothing: at least we exist.
—T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) American-born British Poet, Dramatist, Literary Critic
The most formidable weapon against errors of every kind is reason.
—Thomas Paine (1737–1809) American Nationalist, Author, Pamphleteer, Radical, Inventor
Reason can no more influence the will, and operate as a motive, than the eyes which show a man his road can enable him to move from place to place, or than a ship provided with a compass can sail without a wind.
—Richard Whately (1787–1863) English Philosopher, Theologian
To find yourself, think for yourself.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Sound and sufficient reason falls, after all, to the share of but few men, and those few men exert their influence in silence.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Once the people begin to reason, all is lost
—Voltaire (1694–1778) French Philosopher, Author
Instead of casting away our old prejudices, we cherish them to a very considerable degree, and, more shame to ourselves, we cherish them because they are prejudices; and the longer they have lasted the more we cherish them. We are afraid to put men to live and trade each on his own private stock of reason because we suspect that in this stock each man is small, and that the individuals would do better to avail themseive of the general bank and capital of nations and of ages.
—Edmund Burke (1729–97) British Philosopher, Statesman
Reason is the slow and torturous method by which those who do not know the truth discover it.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
How often do we contradict the right rules of reason in the course of our lives! Reason itself is true and just, but the reason of every particular man is weak and wavering, perpetually swayed and turned by his interests, his passions, and his vices.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
As you think, you travel, and as you love, you attract. You are today where your thoughts have brought you; you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.
—James Lane Allen (1849–1925) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
In war, events of importance are the result of trivial causes.
—Julius Caesar (c.100–44BCE) Roman Statesman, Military General
People who lean on logic and philosophy and rational exposition end by starving the best part of the mind.
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939) Irish Poet, Dramatist
Happy the man who has been able to know the reasons for things.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
Everything happens for a reason and that reason is there to assist me.
—T. Harv Eker (b.1954) American Motivational Speaker, Lecturer, Author
Human history begins with man’s act of disobedience which is at the very same time the beginning of his freedom and development of his reason.
—Erich Fromm (1900–80) German-American Psychoanalyst, Social Philosopher
When a man begins to reason, he ceases to feel.
—French Proverb
The weakness of human reason appears more evidently in those who know it not, than in those who know it.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
The way to see by Faith is to shut the eye of Reason.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Overachievers don’t think reasonably, sensibly, or rationally.
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
Modern man’s besetting temptation is to sacrifice his direct perceptions and spontaneous feelings to his reasoned reflections; to prefer in all circumstances the verdict of his intellect to that of his immediate intuitions.
—Aldous Huxley (1894–1963) English Humanist, Pacifist, Essayist, Short Story Writer, Satirist
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one has a mind to do.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
Nothing improves the memory more than trying to forget.
—Indian Proverb
The best players in any high-stakes field – business, entertainment, law, surgery, as well as sport – recognize that pressure occurs at the moments when meaningful accomplishment is possible. In fact, that is the reason why performers perform: for the opportunity to tackle challenges head on, to do something significant, to demonstrate what their hard work and talent can produce.
—John Eliot (b.1971) American Psychologist, Academic
Reason is progressive; instinct is complete; swift instinct leaps; slow reason feebly climbs.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
But reason has no power against feeling, and feeling older than history is no light matter.
—Charlotte Perkins Gilman (1860–1935) American Feminist, Writer
Of what significance are the things you can forget.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
He that takes away reason to make way for revelation puts out the light of both, and does much the same as if he would persuade a man to put out his eyes the better to receive the remote light of an invisible star by a telescope.
—John Locke (1632–1704) English Philosopher, Physician
Reason is a crutch for age, but youth is strong enough to walk alone.
—John Dryden (1631–1700) English Poet, Literary Critic, Playwright
There are those who never reason on what they should do, but on what they have done; as if reason had her eyes behind, and could only see backward.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
Truth never damages a cause that is just.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader