First... a new theory is attacked as absurd; then it is admitted to be true, but obvious and insignificant; finally it is seen to be so important that its adversaries claim that they themselves discovered it.

No living person is sunk so low as not to be imitated by somebody.

Volition . . . takes place only when there are a number of conflicting systems of ideas, and depends on our having a complex field of consciousness.

When a thing is new, people say: ‘It is not true.’ Later, when its truth becomes obvious, they say: ‘It is not important.’ Finally, when its importance cannot be denied, they say: ‘Anyway, it is not new.

There is nothing so absurd that it cannot be believed as truth if repeated often enough.

The 'I think' which Kant said must be able to accompany all my objects, is the 'I breathe' which actually does accompany them.

It is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome.