In the study of ideas, it is necessary to remember that insistence on hard-headed clarity issues from sentimental feeling, as it were a mist, cloaking the perplexities of fact. Insistence on clarity at all costs is based on sheer superstition as to the mode in which human intelligence functions. Our reasonings grasp at straws for premises and float on gossamers for deductions.

It is more important that a proposition be interesting than that it be true. This statement is almost a tautology. For the energy of operation of a proposition in an occasion of experience is its interest and is its importance. But of course a true proposition is more apt to be interesting than a false one.

The ultimate metaphysical ground is the creative advance into novelty.

Every organism requires an environment of friends, partly to shield it from violent changes, and partly to supply it with its wants.

The guiding motto in the life of every natural philosopher should be, seek simplicity and distrust it.

It is impossible to meditate on time and the mystery of nature without an overwhelming emotion at the limitations of human intelligence.

No religion can be considered in abstraction from its followers, or even from its various types of followers.