One of the most interesting and harmful delusions to which men and nations can be subjected is that of imagining themselves special instruments of the Divine Will.

Every housemaid expects at least once a week as much excitement as would have lasted a Jane Austen heroine throughout a whole novel.

They must often change, who would be constant in happiness or wisdom. Those who continually search for happiness will never find it. Happiness is made, not found. To be without some of the things you want is an indispensable part of happiness.

When two men of science disagree, they do not invoke the secular arm; they wait for further evidence to decide the issue, because, as men of science, they know that neither is infallible. But when two theologians differ, since there is no criteria to which either can appeal, there is nothing for it but mutual hatred and an open or covert appeal to force.

Philosophy, from the earliest times, has made greater claims, and achieved fewer results, than any other branch of learning.

The newspapers at one time said that I was dead but after carefully examining the evidence I came to the conclusion that this statement was false.

Order, unity, and continuity are human inventions, just as truly as catalogues and encyclopedias.