Anger is never without a Reason, but seldom with a good One.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
He that speaketh against his own reason speaks against his own conscience, and therefore it is certain that no man serves God with a good conscience who serves him against his reason.
—Jeremy Taylor
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
Nothing is impossible when we follow our inner guidance, even when its direction may threaten us by reversing our usual logic.
—Gerald Jampolsky (b.1925) American Psychiatrist
What is rational is actual, and what is actual is rational.
—Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) German Philosopher
Reason lies between the bridle and the spur.
—Italian Proverb
Reason is a very light rider, and easily shook off.
—Jonathan Swift (1667–1745) Irish Satirist
Let reason govern desire.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
The Mode of circular reasoning is the form used when the proof itself which ought to establish the matter of inquiry requires confirmation derived from the matter; in this case, being unable to assume either in order to establish the other, we suspend judgement about both.
—Sextus Empiricus (160–210) Greek Physician, Philosopher
I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live up to the light I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right—stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Irrationally held truths may be more harmful than reasoned errors.
—Thomas Henry Huxley (1825–95) English Biologist
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
A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.
—Unknown
Faith evermore looks upward and describes objects remote; but reason can discover things only near—sees nothing that’s above her.
—Francis Quarles (1592–1644) English Religious Poet
In everything truth surpasses the imitation and copy.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.
—Albert Einstein (1879–1955) German-born Physicist
It takes less time to do a thing right, than it does to explain why you did it wrong.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
Reason sits firm and holds the reins, and she will not let the feelings burst away and hurry her to wild chasms. The passions may rage furiously, like true heathens, as they are; and the desires may imagine all sorts of vain things: but judgment shall still have the last word in every argument, and the casting vote in every decision.
—Charlotte Bronte (1816–1855) English Novelist, Poet
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
The open mind never acts-when we have done our utmost to arrive at a reasonable conclusion, we still, when we can reason and investigate no more, must close our minds for the moment with a snap, and act dogmatically on our own conclusion. The man who wants to make an entirely reasonable will dies intestate.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
Reason, sometimes, seems to me to be the faculty our soul possesses of understanding nothing about our body!
—Paul Valery (1871–1945) French Critic, Poet
I do not believe that the deeper problems of living can ever be answered by the process of thought. I believe that life itself teaches us either patience with regard to them, or reveals to us possible solutions when our hearts are pressed close against duties and sorrows and experiences of all kinds.
—Hamilton Wright Mabie (1846–1916) American Essayist, Editor
The voice of reason is more to be regarded than the bent of any present inclination; since inclination will at length come over to reason, though we can never force reason to comply with inclination.
—Joseph Addison (1672–1719) English Essayist, Poet, Playwright, Politician
We do not remember days, we remember moments. The richness of life lies in memories we have forgotten.
—Cesare Pavese (1908–50) Italian Novelist, Poet, Critic, Translator
A mind all logic is like a knife all blade. It makes the hand bleed that uses it.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
As you start to see the possibilities in the impossible, you will begin to see that the world works “perfectly”. You can find reason and purpose in everything—if you open your mind to it.
—Susan Jeffers (1938–2012) American Psychologist, Self-Help Author
Nurture your mind with great thoughts; to believe in the heroic makes heroes.
—Benjamin Disraeli (1804–81) British Head of State
Very few people are capable of sustained effort, and that’s the reason why we have comparatively few outstanding successes.
—Roger McDonald (b.1941) Australian Novelist, Poet, Screenwriter
Your giving a reason for it will not make it right.—You may have a reason why two and two should make five, but they will still make but four.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Madness is consistent, which is more than can be said of poor reason.—Whatever may be the ruling passion at the time continues so throughout the whole delirium, though it should last for life.—Our passions and principles are steady in frenzy, but begin to shift and waver as we return to reason.
—Laurence Sterne (1713–68) Irish Anglican Novelist, Clergyman
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