So far I have been speaking of theoretical science, which is an attempt to understand the world. Practical science, which is an attempt to change the world, has been important from the first, and has continually increased in importance, until it has almost ousted theoretical science from men's thoughts.
Bertrand RussellAll great books contain boring portions, and all great lives have contained uninteresting stretches.
Bertrand RussellBut I simply can't stand a view limited to this earth, I feel life is so small unless it has windows into other worlds...I like mathematics largely because it is not human.
Bertrand RussellCalculating machines do sums better than even the cleverest peopleโฆ As arithmetic has grown easier, it has come to be less respected.
Bertrand RussellMore and more people are becoming unable to accept traditional [religious] beliefs. If they think that, apart from these beliefs, there is no reason for kindly behaviour, the results may be needlessly unfortunate. That is why it is important to show that no supernatural reasons are needed to make [people] kind and to prove that only through kindness can the human race achieve happiness.
Bertrand Russell