# Quotes about paradox - Quotes: 74 - Authors: 55 - Broader topic: [Quotes about philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/philosophy.md) - Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox - JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.json ## Quotes > Paradox is the inevitable forerunner of chaos. [Robert Sheckley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-sheckley.md) · [Untouched By Human Hands](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-sheckley/untouched-by-human-hands.md) · p. 49 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-sheckley/untouched-by-human-hands/paradox-is-the.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > At a bare minimum, understanding entails being able to detect an internal contradiction: a paradox. [William Poundstone](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-poundstone.md) · [Labyrinths of Reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-poundstone/labyrinths-of-reason.md) · p. 21 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-poundstone/labyrinths-of-reason/at-a-bare.md) Topics: [thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > The assumption that anything true is knowable is the grandfather of paradoxes. [William Poundstone](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-poundstone.md) · [Labyrinths of Reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-poundstone/labyrinths-of-reason.md) · p. 260 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-poundstone/labyrinths-of-reason/the-assumption-that.md) Topics: [truth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth.md), [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > The best paradoxes raise questions about what kinds of contradictions can occur—what species of impossibilities are possible. [William Poundstone](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-poundstone.md) · [Labyrinths of Reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-poundstone/labyrinths-of-reason.md) · p. 19 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-poundstone/labyrinths-of-reason/the-best-paradoxes.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Paradox is thus a much deeper and universal concept than the ancients would have dreamed. Rather than an oddity, it is a mainstay of the philosophy of science. [William Poundstone](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-poundstone.md) · [Labyrinths of Reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-poundstone/labyrinths-of-reason.md) · p. 23 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-poundstone/labyrinths-of-reason/paradox-is-thus.md) Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/philosophy.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > "Yes, him - Quirrell said he hates me because he hated my father. Is that true?" > > "Well, they did rather detest each other. Not unlike yourself and Mr Malfoy. And then, your father did something Snape could never forgive." > > "What?" > > "He saved his life." > > "What?" > > "Yes ..." said Dumbledore dreamily. "Funny, the way people's minds work, isn't it?" [J.K. Rowling](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jk-rowling.md) · [Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jk-rowling/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jk-rowling/harry-potter-and-the-philosophers-stone/yes-him-quirrell.md) Topics: [hatred](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hatred.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Our waking life's desire to shape the world to our convenience invites all manner of paradox and difficulty. [Cormac McCarthy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy.md) · [Cities of the Plain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/cities-of-the-plain.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/cities-of-the-plain/our-waking-lifes.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > If God promise riches, the way thereto is poverty. Whom he loveth, him he chasteneth: whom he exalteth, he casteth, down: whom he saveth, he damneth first. He bringeth no man to heaven, except he send him to hell first. If he promise life, he slayeth first: when he buildeth, he casteth all down first. He is no patcher; he cannot build on another man’s foundation. > > He will not work until all be past remedy, and brought unto such a case, that men may see, how that his hand, his power, his mercy, his goodness and truth, hath wrought altogether. He will let no man be partaker with him of his praise and glory. His works are wonderful, and contrary unto man’s works. [William Tyndale](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-tyndale.md) · [The Obedience of a Christian Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-tyndale/the-obedience-of-a-christian-man.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-tyndale/the-obedience-of-a-christian-man/if-god-promise.md) Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > We are in the position of the man who has only two ambitions in life. One is to invent the universal solvent which will dissolve any solid substance, and the second is to invent the universal container which will hold any liquid. Whatever this inventor does, he will be frustrated. [Norbert Wiener](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norbert-wiener.md) · [The Human Use Of Human Beings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norbert-wiener/the-human-use-of-human-beings.md) · p. 129 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norbert-wiener/the-human-use-of-human-beings/we-are-in-the.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > The surest way to smartness is through massive dumbness. [Kevin Kelly](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly.md) · [New Rules for the New Economy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly/new-rules-for-the-new-economy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly/new-rules-for-the-new-economy/the-surest-way.md) Topics: [intelligence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/intelligence.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > It is the great irony of life that a mindless act repeated in sequence can only lead to greater depths of absurdity, while a mindless act performed in parallel by a swarm of individuals can, under the proper conditions, lead to all that we find interesting. [Kevin Kelly](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly.md) · [Out Of Control](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly/out-of-control.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly/out-of-control/it-is-the.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [cooperation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/cooperation.md) > The great irony of god games is that letting go is the only way to win. [Kevin Kelly](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly.md) · [Out Of Control](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly/out-of-control.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly/out-of-control/the-great-irony.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [play](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/play.md) > There is nothing to be found in a beehive that is not submerged in a bee. And yet you can search a bee forever with cyclotron and fluoroscope, and you will never find a hive. [Kevin Kelly](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly.md) · [Out Of Control](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly/out-of-control.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly/out-of-control/there-is-nothing.md) Topics: [community](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/community.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > We can only get smart things from stupid things. [Kevin Kelly](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly.md) · [Out Of Control](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly/out-of-control.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kevin-kelly/out-of-control/we-can-only.md) Topics: [intelligence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/intelligence.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > We would know far more about life’s complexities if we applied ourselves to the close study of its contradictions instead of wasting so much time on similarities and connections, which should anyway, be self-explanatory. [José Saramago](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-saramago.md) · [The Cave](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-saramago/the-cave.md) · p. 15 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jose-saramago/the-cave/we-would-know.md) Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > That was a simple riddle used by Zen Masters in the training of monks, Joe remembered. You take a newborn gosling and slip it through the neck of a bottle. Month after month you keep it in there and feed it, until it is a fullgrown goose and can no longer be passed through the bottles neck. The question is: Without breaking the bottle, how do you get the goose out? [Robert Shea](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-shea.md) · [The Illuminatus! Trilogy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-shea/the-illuminatus-trilogy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-shea/the-illuminatus-trilogy/that-was-a-simple.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Any mankind person worth his salt can simultaneously incubate whole clutches of ideas that are either contradictory or mutually exclusive. For instance, mankind has persuaded itself that its race is perfectible, though it hasn’t changed physically, mentally, or psychologically since the Cro-Magnon. Mankind has also persuaded itself that each individual is unique, though each person shares ninety-nine and ninety-nine one hundredths of his DNA and roughly the same percentage of his ideas with thousands or even millions of other persons. [Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [Six Moon Dance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/six-moon-dance.md) · p. 216 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/six-moon-dance/any-mankind-person.md) Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [identity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/identity.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Too good is good for nothing. [Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [Grass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/grass.md) · p. 355 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/grass/too-good-is-good.md) Topics: [kindness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/kindness.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Many of the things which can never be, often are. [Norton Juster](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norton-juster.md) · [The Phantom Tollbooth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norton-juster/the-phantom-tollbooth.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norton-juster/the-phantom-tollbooth/many-of-the.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Of course I've contradicted myself. I always do. Only cretins and logicians don't contradict themselves. And in their consistency, they contradict life. [Tom Robbins](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tom-robbins.md) · [Even Cowgirls Get the Blues](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tom-robbins/even-cowgirls-get-the-blues.md) · p. 268 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/tom-robbins/even-cowgirls-get-the-blues/of-course-ive.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [logic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/logic.md) > What is one man's safety is another man's destruction. [Daniel Defoe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-defoe.md) · [Robinson Crusoe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-defoe/robinson-crusoe.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-defoe/robinson-crusoe/what-is-one.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > What is practicality but one moment betrayed for the next? [R. Scott Bakker](https://www.leafyquotes.com/r-scott-bakker.md) · [The Warrior-Prophet](https://www.leafyquotes.com/r-scott-bakker/the-warrior-prophet.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/r-scott-bakker/the-warrior-prophet/what-is-practicality.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > What is the only provocation that could bring about the use of nuclear weapons? Nuclear weapons. What is the priority target for nuclear weapons? Nuclear weapons. What is the only established defense against nuclear weapons? Nuclear weapons. How do we prevent the use of nuclear weapons? By threatening to use nuclear weapons. And we can't get rid of nuclear weapons, because of nuclear weapons. The intransigence, it seems, is a function of the weapons themselves. [Martin Amis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/martin-amis.md) · [Einstein's Monsters](https://www.leafyquotes.com/martin-amis/einsteins-monsters.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/martin-amis/einsteins-monsters/what-is-the.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [nuclear weapons](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/nuclear-weapons.md) > Like the British Constitution, she owes her success in practice to her inconsistencies in principle. [Thomas Hardy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hardy.md) · [The Hand of Ethelberta](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hardy/the-hand-of-ethelberta.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hardy/the-hand-of-ethelberta/like-the-british.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > You calculated how to be uncalculating, and are natural by art! [Thomas Hardy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hardy.md) · [The Hand of Ethelberta](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hardy/the-hand-of-ethelberta.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hardy/the-hand-of-ethelberta/you-calculated-how.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [authenticity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/authenticity.md) > Ripples of paradox spread out across the sea of causality. [Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [The Colour of Magic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/the-colour-of-magic.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/the-colour-of-magic/ripples-of-paradox.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Everything that happens once can never happen again. But everything that happens twice will surely happen a third time. [Paulo Coelho](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho.md) · [The Alchemist](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/the-alchemist.md) · p. 184 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paulo-coelho/the-alchemist/everything-that-happens.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > It is a cliché that most clichés are true, but then like most clichés, that cliché is untrue. [Stephen Fry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-fry.md) · [Moab Is My Washpot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-fry/moab-is-my-washpot.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-fry/moab-is-my-washpot/it-is-a-cliche.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > "The paradox of being a professional artist. How we spend our lives trying to express ourselves well, but we have nothing to tell. We want creativity to be a system of cause and effect." [Chuck Palahniuk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk.md) · [Diary](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/diary.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/diary/the-paradox-of-being.md) Topics: [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Whenever the essential nature of things is analysed by the intellect, it must seem absurd or paradoxical. This has always been recognized by the mystics, but has become a problem in science only very recently. [Fritjof Capra](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fritjof-capra.md) · [The Tao of Physics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fritjof-capra/the-tao-of-physics.md) · p. 50 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fritjof-capra/the-tao-of-physics/whenever-the-essential.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [mysticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/mysticism.md) > To build a road is so much simpler than to think of what the country really needs. A roadless marsh is seemingly as worthless to the alphabetical conservationist as an undrained one was to the empire-builders. Solitude, the one natural resource still undowered of alphabets, is so far recognized as valuable only by ornithologists and cranes. > > Thus always does history, whether of marsh or market place, end in paradox. The ultimate value in these marshes is wildness, and the crane is wildness incarnate. But all conservation of wildness is self-defeating, for to cherish we must see and fondle, and when enough have seen and fondled, there is no wilderness left to cherish. [Aldo Leopold](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldo-leopold.md) · [A Sand County Almanac](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldo-leopold/a-sand-county-almanac.md) · p. 101 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldo-leopold/a-sand-county-almanac/to-build-a-road.md) Topics: [loneliness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/loneliness.md), [ecology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ecology.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > I had a quick grasp of the secret to sanity — it had become the ability to hold the maximum of impossible combinations in one's mind. [Norman Mailer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norman-mailer.md) · [An American Dream](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norman-mailer/an-american-dream.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/norman-mailer/an-american-dream/i-had-a-quick.md) Topics: [madness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/madness.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Without the light, no chance; without the dark, no dance. [Margaret Atwood](https://www.leafyquotes.com/margaret-atwood.md) · [The Year of the Flood](https://www.leafyquotes.com/margaret-atwood/the-year-of-the-flood.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/margaret-atwood/the-year-of-the-flood/without-the-light.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > "If you think about it, an unfair society is a society that makes it possible for you to exploit your abilities to the limit." [Haruki Murakami](https://www.leafyquotes.com/haruki-murakami.md) · [Norwegian Wood](https://www.leafyquotes.com/haruki-murakami/norwegian-wood.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/haruki-murakami/norwegian-wood/if-you-think.md) Topics: [justice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/justice.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > The old knowledge had been difficult but not distressing. It had been all paradox and myth, and it had made sense. The new knowledge was all fact and reason, and it made no sense. [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [Four Ways to Forgiveness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/four-ways-to-forgiveness.md) · p. 107 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/four-ways-to-forgiveness/the-old-knowledge.md) Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > “The solution lies in secrecy,” said Medra. “But so does the problem.” [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [Tales from Earthsea](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/tales-from-earthsea.md) · p. 64 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/tales-from-earthsea/the-solution-lies.md) Topics: [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > To see a candle’s light, one must take it into a dark place. [Ursula K. Le Guin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin.md) · [The Farthest Shore](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-farthest-shore.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ursula-k-le-guin/the-farthest-shore/to-see-a-candles.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > "Noon sits at the Master's right hand, Dawn at his left. Dusk stands behind, in the shadows. Yet sometimes it is easier to see the light when you stand partly in the darkness." [Garth Nix](https://www.leafyquotes.com/garth-nix.md) · [Mister Monday](https://www.leafyquotes.com/garth-nix/mister-monday.md) · p. 241 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/garth-nix/mister-monday/noon-sits-at-the.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > The color we see is always the one being reflected, the one that doesn’t stay put and get absorbed. We see the rejected color, and say “an apple is red.” But in truth an apple is everything but red. [Diane Ackerman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/diane-ackerman.md) · [A Natural History of the Senses](https://www.leafyquotes.com/diane-ackerman/a-natural-history-of-the-senses.md) · p. 252 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/diane-ackerman/a-natural-history-of-the-senses/the-color-we-see.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [the senses](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-senses.md) > We are contrary creatures, us humans, but that isn't something we need be afraid of, or even much troubled by. And if you make a list of those people who worship consistency, you'll find they're one and all tyrants or would-be tyrants. Ruling over thousands, or over a husband or a wife, or some cowering child. Never fear contradiction, Cutter, it is the very heart of diversity. [Steven Erikson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-erikson.md) · [The Bonehunters](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-erikson/the-bonehunters.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-erikson/the-bonehunters/we-are-contrary.md) Topics: [tyranny](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/tyranny.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [being different](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/being-different.md) > He hoped and prayed that there wasn't an afterlife. Then he realized there was a contradiction involved here and merely hoped that there wasn't an afterlife. [Douglas Adams](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams.md) · [Life, the Universe and Everything](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams/life-the-universe-and-everything.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams/life-the-universe-and-everything/he-hoped-and.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/death.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > “I'm afraid,” he said at last, “that the Question and the Answer are mutually exclusive. Knowledge of one logically precludes knowledge of the other. It is impossible that both can ever be known about the same Universe.” [Douglas Adams](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams.md) · [Life, the Universe and Everything](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams/life-the-universe-and-everything.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams/life-the-universe-and-everything/im-afraid-he-said.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > National defense through war always involves some degree of national defeat. This paradox has been with us from the very beginning of our republic. Militarization in defense of freedom reduces the freedom of the defenders. There is a fundamental inconsistency between war and freedom. [Wendell Berry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wendell-berry.md) · [Citizenship Papers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wendell-berry/citizenship-papers.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wendell-berry/citizenship-papers/national-defense-through.md) Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Like all ardent agnostics, Martin was a religious man. ~ Ch. 16 [Sinclair Lewis](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis.md) · [Arrowsmith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis/arrowsmith.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sinclair-lewis/arrowsmith/like-all-ardent.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [atheism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/atheism.md) > Nothing is wholly obvious without becoming enigmatic. Reality itself is too obvious to be true. [Jean Baudrillard](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-baudrillard.md) · [The Perfect Crime](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-baudrillard/the-perfect-crime.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-baudrillard/the-perfect-crime/nothing-is-wholly.md) Topics: [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > The finest act of seeing is necessarily always the act of not seeing something else. [Mark Z. Danielewski](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-z-danielewski.md) · [House of Leaves](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-z-danielewski/house-of-leaves.md) · p. 422 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/mark-z-danielewski/house-of-leaves/the-finest-act.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > There was only one catch and that was Catch-22, which specified that a concern for one's safety in the face of dangers that were real and immediate was the process of a rational mind. Orr was crazy and could be grounded. All he had to do was ask; and as soon as he did, he would no longer be crazy and would have to fly more missions. Orr would be crazy to fly more missions and sane if he didn't, but if he was sane he had to fly them. If he flew them he was crazy and didn't have to; but if he didn't want to he was sane and had to. Yossarian was moved very deeply by the absolute simplicity of this clause of Catch-22 and let out a respectful whistle. > > "That's some catch, that Catch-22," he observed. > > "It's the best there is," Doc Daneeka agreed. [Joseph Heller](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-heller.md) · [Catch-22](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-heller/catch-22.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-heller/catch-22/there-was-only.md) Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > I don't anticipate trouble and so I anticipate trouble. [John Steinbeck](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck.md) · [The Short Reign of Pippin IV](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck/the-short-reign-of-pippin-iv.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck/the-short-reign-of-pippin-iv/i-dont-anticipate.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > There is a strange duality in the human which makes for an ethical paradox. We have definitions of good qualities and of bad; not changing things, but generally considered good and bad throughout the ages and throughout the species. Of the good, we think always of wisdom, tolerance, kindliness, generosity, humility; and the qualities of cruelty, greed, self-interest, graspingness, and rapacity are universally considered undesirable. And yet in our structure of society, the so-called and considered good qualities are invariable concomitants of failure, while the bad ones are the cornerstones of success. A man — a viewing-point man — while he will love the abstract good qualities and detest the abstract bad, will nevertheless envy and admire the person who though possessing the bad qualities has succeeded economically and socially, and will hold in contempt that person whose good qualities have caused failure. When such a viewing-point man thinks of Jesus or St. Augustine or Socrates he regards them with love because they are the symbols of the good he admires, and he hates the symbols of the bad. But actually he would rather be successful than good. In an animal other than man we would replace the term “good” with “weak survival quotient” and the term “bad” with “strong survival quotient.” Thus, man in his thinking or reverie status admires the progression toward extinction, but in the unthinking stimulus which really activates him he tends toward survival. Perhaps no other animal is so torn between alternatives. Man might be described fairly adequately, if simply, as a two-legged paradox. He has never become accustomed to the tragic miracle of consciousness. Perhaps, as has been suggested, his species is not set, has not jelled, but is still in a state of becoming, bound by his physical memories to a past of struggle and survival, limited in his futures by the uneasiness of thought and consciousness. [John Steinbeck](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck.md) · [The Log from the Sea of Cortez](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck/the-log-from-the-sea-of-cortez.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-steinbeck/the-log-from-the-sea-of-cortez/there-is-a-strange.md) Topics: [kindness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/kindness.md), [success and failure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/success-and-failure.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > A man once said: Why such reluctance? If you only followed the parables you yourselves would become parables and with that rid of all your daily cares. > > Another said: I bet that is also a parable. > > The first said: You have won. > > The second said: But unfortunately only in parable. > > The first said: No, in reality: in parable you have lost. [Franz Kafka](https://www.leafyquotes.com/franz-kafka.md) · [The Complete Stories](https://www.leafyquotes.com/franz-kafka/the-complete-stories.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/franz-kafka/the-complete-stories/a-man-once.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > The paradox of money is that when you have lots of it you can manage life quite cheaply. Nothing so economical as being rich. [Robertson Davies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies.md) · [The Cornish Trilogy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-cornish-trilogy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robertson-davies/the-cornish-trilogy/the-paradox-of-money.md) Topics: [wealth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wealth.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > All existence seemed to be based on duality, on contrast. Either one was a man or one was a woman, either a wanderer or sedentary burgher, either a thinking person or a feeling person-no one could breathe in at the same time as he breathed out, be a man as well as a woman, experience freedom as well as order, combine instinct and mind. One always had to pay for one with the loss of the other, and one thing was always just as important and desirable as the other. [Hermann Hesse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hermann-hesse.md) · [Narcissus and Goldmund](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hermann-hesse/narcissus-and-goldmund.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/hermann-hesse/narcissus-and-goldmund/all-existence-seemed.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > It is a curious paradox that several of the greatest and most creative spirits in science, after achieving important discoveries by following their unfettered imaginations, were in their later years obsessed with reductionist philosophy and as a result became sterile. Hilbert was a prime example of this paradox. Einstein was another. [Freeman Dyson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/freeman-dyson.md) · [The Scientist as Rebel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/freeman-dyson/the-scientist-as-rebel.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/freeman-dyson/the-scientist-as-rebel/it-is-a-curious.md) Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Perhaps the values of socialists can only be realized by socialists in a nonsocialist society. [Christopher Hitchens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens.md) · [For the Sake of Argument](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/for-the-sake-of-argument.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/for-the-sake-of-argument/perhaps-the-values.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [socialism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/socialism.md) > Agnes was the worst prophet that's ever existed. Because she was always right. That's why the book never sold. [Neil Gaiman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman.md) · [Good Omens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman/good-omens.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neil-gaiman/good-omens/agnes-was-the.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [prophecies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/prophecies.md) > All of the true things that I am about to tell you are shameless lies. [Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [Cat's Cradle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/cats-cradle.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/cats-cradle/all-of-the.md) Topics: [lies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/lies.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > The same past data can confirm a theory and its exact opposite! If you survive until tomorrow, it could mean that either a) you are more likely to be immortal or b) that you are closer to death. [Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb.md) · [The Black Swan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/the-black-swan.md) · p. 185 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/the-black-swan/the-same-past.md) Topics: [knowledge](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/knowledge.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Paradox is the poisonous flower of quietism, the iridescent surface of the rotting mind, the greatest depravity of all. [Thomas Mann](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-mann.md) · [The Magic Mountain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-mann/the-magic-mountain.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-mann/the-magic-mountain/paradox-is-the.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > "Like so many experiences you venture into knowing full well that they'll be terrible, in fact the core pleasure resides in their very innate badness,..." [Chuck Palahniuk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk.md) · [Damned](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/damned.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chuck-palahniuk/damned/like-so-many.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [pleasure](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pleasure.md) > There is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace. [Arthur Conan Doyle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle.md) · [The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/the-adventures-of-sherlock-holmes.md) · p. 191 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/the-adventures-of-sherlock-holmes/there-is-nothing.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [everyday life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/everyday-life.md) > Society is the most powerful conception in the world and society has no existence whatsoever. [Virginia Woolf](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virginia-woolf.md) · [Orlando](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virginia-woolf/orlando.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/virginia-woolf/orlando/society-is-the.md) Topics: [society](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/society.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Most discipline is hidden discipline, designed not to liberate but to limit. Do not ask Why? Be cautious with How? Why? leads inexorably to paradox. How? traps you in a universe of cause and effect. Both deny the infinite. [Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [Heretics of Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/heretics-of-dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/heretics-of-dune/most-discipline-is-hidden.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Paradox is a pointer telling you to look beyond it. If paradoxes bother you, that betrays your deep desire for absolutes. The relativist treats a paradox merely as interesting, perhaps amusing or even, dreadful thought, educational. [Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [God Emperor of Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/god-emperor-of-dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/god-emperor-of-dune/paradox-is-a-pointer.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Some actions have an end but no beginning; some begin but do not end. It all depends upon where the observer is standing. [Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [Children Of Dune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/children-of-dune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/children-of-dune/some-actions-have.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > It is a great force, and a great fortune, to be able to live without any ambition whatever. I aspire to it, but the very fact of so aspiring still participates in ambition. [Emil Cioran](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran.md) · [The Trouble With Being Born](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/the-trouble-with-being-born.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/the-trouble-with-being-born/it-is-a-great.md) Topics: [ambition](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ambition.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > History proves nothing because it contains everything. [Emil Cioran](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran.md) · [A Short History of Decay](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/a-short-history-of-decay.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/emil-cioran/a-short-history-of-decay/history-proves-nothing.md) Topics: [history](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/history.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > May I venture at this point to state the greatest, the most important, the most useful rule of education? It is: Do not save time, but lose it. I hope that every-day readers will excuse my paradoxes; you cannot avoid paradox if you think for yourself, and whatever you may say I would rather fall into paradox than into prejudice. The most dangerous period in human life lies between birth and the age of twelve. It is the time when errors and vices spring up, while as yet there is no means to destroy them; when the means of destruction are ready, the roots have gone too deep to be pulled up. [Jean Jacques Rousseau](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau.md) · [Emile; or On Education](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jean-jacques-rousseau/emile-or-on-education/may-i-venture.md) Topics: [time](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/time.md), [upbringing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/upbringing.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > There is only one thing about which I am certain, and this is that there is very little about which one can be certain. [William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [The Summing Up](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-summing-up/there-is-only.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md) > I had not yet learnt how contradictory is human nature; I did not know how much pose there is in the sincere, how much baseness in the noble, or how much goodness in the reprobate. [William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [The Moon And Sixpence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-moon-and-sixpence.md) · p. 39 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/the-moon-and-sixpence/i-had-not.md) Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > The march, as ever, is toward the future, and he who marches is getting there, even though he march walking backwards. And who knows if that is not the better way!... [Miguel de Unamuno](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno.md) · [Tragic Sense of Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/miguel-de-unamuno/tragic-sense-of-life/the-march-as-ever.md) Topics: [the future](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-future.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md) > Dark with excessive bright. [John Milton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-milton.md) · [Paradise Lost](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-milton/paradise-lost.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-milton/paradise-lost/dark-with-excessive.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [light](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/light.md) > The "Strange Loop" phenomenon occurs whenever, by moving upwards (or downwards) through levels of some hierarchial system, we unexpectedly find ourselves right back where we started. [Douglas R. Hofstadter](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-r-hofstadter.md) · [Godel, Escher, Bach](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-r-hofstadter/godel-escher-bach.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-r-hofstadter/godel-escher-bach/the-strange-loop.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [logic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/logic.md) > The most elementary form of rebellion, paradoxically, expresses an aspiration for order. [Albert Camus](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus.md) · [The Rebel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/the-rebel.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/albert-camus/the-rebel/the-most-elementary.md) Topics: [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md), [rebellion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/rebellion.md) > "Solutions nearly always come from the direction you least expect, which means there's no point trying to look in that direction because it won't be coming from there." [Douglas Adams](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams.md) · [The Salmon of Doubt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams/the-salmon-of-doubt.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/douglas-adams/the-salmon-of-doubt/solutions-nearly-always.md) Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [paradox](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/paradox.md)