Whoever wishes to become a philosopher must learn not to be frightened by absurdities.

There have been poverty, pestilence, and famine, which were due to man's inadequate mastery of nature. There have been wars, oppressions and tortures which have been due to men's hostility to their fellow men.

The wise use of leisure, it must be conceded, is a product of civilization and education.

It has become a commonplace that aggressiveness also often has its roots in fear. I am inclined to think that this theory has been pushed too far. [...] The type of aggressiveness that is the outcome of timidity is not, I think, that which inspires great leaders; the great leaders, I should say, have an exceptional self-confidence which is not only on the surface, but penetrates deep into the subconscious.

There is something feeble and a little contemptible about a man who cannot face the perils of life without the help of comfortable myths.

When conscious activity is wholly concentrated on some one definite purpose, the ultimate result, for most people, is lack of balance accompanied by some form of nervous disorder.

Contempt for happiness is usually contempt for other people's happiness, and is an elegant disguise for hatred of the human race.