The only possible way to begin a book is to tell oneself that its eventual failure is guaranteed — but survivable.
Alain de BottonWe each appear to hold within ourselves a range of divergent views as to our native qualities.. And amid such uncertainty, we typically turn to the wider world to settle the question of our significance.. we seem beholden to affections of others to endure ourselves.
Alain de BottonPeople who readily accept the need for a gym will resist that their personalities might need some work too.
Alain de BottonIt's clear to me that there is no good reason for many philosophy books to sound as complicated as they do.
Alain de Botton