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The major problems in the world are the result of the difference between how nature works and the way people think. The dynamics of the natural world are complex, interconnected, and often nonlinear, while human thought and understanding tend to be linear and fragmented. This mismatch leads to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and unintended consequences, giving rise to many of the significant challenges we face. In this context, it becomes evident that psychic processes, including consciousness, thoughts, emotions, feelings, and motivations, are deeply conditioned by the fundamental principles of nature and biological processes. Our ways of thinking and perceiving are inherently influenced by the intricate web of life and the physical world around us. Therefore, to truly understand the nature of our psychic processes, we must recognize and appreciate the profound impact of the natural world on the human mind.
 
I appeal to the philosophers of all countries to unite and never again mention Heidegger or talk to another philosopher who defends Heidegger. This man was a devil. I mean, he behaved like a devil to his beloved teacher, and he has a devilish influence on Germany. ... One has to read Heidegger in the original to see what a swindler he was.
 
Fear is the destructive energy in man. It withers the mind, it distorts thought, it leads to all kinds of extraordinarily clever and subtle theories, absurd superstitions, dogmas, and beliefs.
 
Religion is, as it were, the calm bottom of the sea at its deepest point, which remains calm however high the waves on the surface may be.
 
One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, one of his great surprises, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn't do.
 
Forget the failures. Keep the lessons.
 
Our view of the world is truly shaped by what we decide to hear.
 
When we meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways–either by losing hope and falling into self-destructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength.
 
There are many difficulties impeding the rapid spread of reasonableness. One of the main difficulties is that it always takes two to make a discussion reasonable. Each of the parties must be ready to learn from the other. You cannot have a rational discussion with a man who prefers shooting you to being convinced by you.
 
One age misunderstands another; and a petty age misunderstands all the others in its own nasty way.
 
Money is always transitively valued. More money is supposedly always better than less money.
 
Yes, I will try to be. Because I believe that not being is arrogant.
 
I never put off till tomorrow what I can do the day after.
 
If you can keep your head when all around you have lost theirs, then you probably haven't understood the seriousness of the situation.
 
Human well-being is not a random phenomenon. It depends on many factors - ranging from genetics and neurobiology to sociology and economics. But, clearly, there are scientific truths to be known about how we can flourish in this world. Wherever we can have an impact on the well-being of others, questions of morality apply.
 
Almost all our suffering is the product of our thoughts. We spend nearly every moment of our lives lost in thought, and hostage to the character of those thoughts. You can break this spell, but it takes training just like it takes training to defend yourself against a physical assault.
 
Language continually asserts by the syntax of subject and predicate that 'things' somehow 'have' qualities and attributes. A more precise way of talking would insist that the 'things' are produced, are seen as separate from other 'things,' and are made 'real' by their internal relations and by their behaviour in relationship with other things and with the speaker. It is necessary to be quite clear about the universal truth that whatever 'things' may be in their pleromatic and thingish world, they can only enter the world of communication and meaning by their names, their qualities and their attributes (i.e., by reports of their internal and external relations and interactions).
 
Non c'è dubbio che questo poveraccio [William Blake] fosse pazzo, ma c'è qualcosa nella sua pazzia che attira il mio interesse più dell'equilibrio di Lord Byron e Walter Scott.
 
I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. My idea is that these two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both of them together is certain death.
 
Criticism is prejudice made plausible.
 
2717 quotes