# Quotes about reason

- Quotes: 195
- Authors: 105
- Broader topic: [Quotes about thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md)
- Topic page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason
- JSON version (same data): https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.json

## Quotes

> "One must command from each what each can perform," the king went on. "Authority is based first of all upon reason. If you command your subjects to jump into the ocean, there will be a revolution. I am entitled to command obedience because my orders are reasonable."
>
> "Then my sunset?" insisted the little prince, who never let go of a question once he had asked it.
>
> "You shall have your sunset. I shall command it. But I shall wait, according to my science of government, until conditions are favorable."

[Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/antoine-de-saint-exupery.md) · [The Little Prince](https://www.leafyquotes.com/antoine-de-saint-exupery/the-little-prince.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/antoine-de-saint-exupery/the-little-prince/one-must-command.md)

Topics: [power](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/power.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> All our reasoning boils down to yielding to sentiment.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/all-our-reasoning.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> But reason always cuts a poor figure beside sentiment; the one being essentially restricted, like everything that is positive, while the other is infinite.

[Honoré de Balzac](https://www.leafyquotes.com/honore-de-balzac.md) · [A Woman of Thirty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/honore-de-balzac/a-woman-of-thirty.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/honore-de-balzac/a-woman-of-thirty/but-reason-always.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> The law is reason unaffected by desire.

[Aristotle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle.md) · [The Politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/the-politics.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aristotle/the-politics/the-law-is-reason.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [law](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/law.md)

> You doom yourselves, Susannah. You seem positively bent on it, and the root is always the same: your faith fails you, and you replace it with rational thought. But there is no love in thought, nothing that lasts in deduction, only death in rationalism.

[Stephen King](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-king.md) · [Song of Susannah](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-king/song-of-susannah.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephen-king/song-of-susannah/you-doom-yourselves.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> The sad fact of the human species that High Consul Duarte understood so well was that you could never overcome tribalism and jingoism with an argument. Tribalism was an irrational position, and it was impossible to defeat an irrational position with a rational argument.

[James S. A. Corey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey.md) · [Persepolis Rising](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/persepolis-rising.md) · p. 310 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-s-a-corey/persepolis-rising/the-sad-fact.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> No matter how much insight and understanding we develop, the rational brain is basically impotent to talk the emotional brain out of its own reality.

[Bessel van der Kolk](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bessel-van-der-kolk.md) · [The Body Keeps the Score](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bessel-van-der-kolk/the-body-keeps-the-score.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bessel-van-der-kolk/the-body-keeps-the-score/no-matter-how.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> Perhaps rationalism—like so much else—had only been one of the luxuries which men could afford under civilization.

[George R. Stewart](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-r-stewart.md) · [Earth Abides](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-r-stewart/earth-abides.md) · p. 284 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/george-r-stewart/earth-abides/perhaps-rationalism-like-so-much.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [civilization](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/civilization.md)

> The mind is a strange universe.

[Cressida Cowell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cressida-cowell.md) · [How to Train Your Dragon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cressida-cowell/how-to-train-your-dragon.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cressida-cowell/how-to-train-your-dragon/the-mind-is-a-strange.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> “You can’t prove what’s going to happen in the future,” explains Naomi Oreskes, who has written extensively on the uses of modeling. “But that doesn’t mean you don’t have a rational basis for action.”

[Chris Mooney](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chris-mooney.md) · [The Republican War on Science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chris-mooney/the-republican-war-on-science.md) · p. 63 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/chris-mooney/the-republican-war-on-science/you-cant-prove.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [foreseeing the future](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/foreseeing-the-future.md)

> Beware gentle knight. There is no greater monster than reason.

[Cormac McCarthy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy.md) · [All the Pretty Horses](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/all-the-pretty-horses.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/cormac-mccarthy/all-the-pretty-horses/beware-gentle-knight.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> The irony is that in shifting the focus onto the individual human mind, which everyone agrees can be a pretty flimsy and wayward organ, Descartes had arrived at the closest thing to a certain basis for knowledge. If my own thoughts are the only indubitable ground I can stand on, apparently they aren’t so flimsy after all, at least not all the time. As an earlier follower of Descartes put it, “doubt is the beginning of an undoubtable philosophy.” Therefore the mind and its “good sense”—that is to say, human reason—are the only basis for judging whether a thing is true. With the “cogito,” as philosophers abbreviate it, and with the theory of knowledge that arises from it, which Descartes outlined in the Discourse on the Method and later works, human reason supplanted received wisdom. Once Descartes had established the base, he and others could rebuild the edifice of knowledge. But it would be different from what it had been. Everything would be different.

[Russell Shorto](https://www.leafyquotes.com/russell-shorto.md) · [Descartes' Bones](https://www.leafyquotes.com/russell-shorto/descartes-bones.md) · p. 20 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/russell-shorto/descartes-bones/the-irony-is-that.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/philosophy.md), [doubt](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/doubt.md)

> There is a sense of reason's fingernails scrabbling to keep their hold, as one slides towards something which is not accountable; not, by ordinary standards, quite sane...

[John Wyndham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-wyndham.md) · [Plan for Chaos](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-wyndham/plan-for-chaos.md) · p. 170 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-wyndham/plan-for-chaos/there-is-a-sense.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [madness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/madness.md)

> I suppose we all have a number of carefully furnished, non-communicating rooms in our minds.

[John Wyndham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-wyndham.md) · [Plan for Chaos](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-wyndham/plan-for-chaos.md) · p. 121 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-wyndham/plan-for-chaos/i-suppose-we-all.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md)

> At such moments the voice of reason always sounds like blasphemy and dissenters are of the devil.

[Marion L. Starkey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marion-l-starkey.md) · [The Devil in Massachusetts](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marion-l-starkey/the-devil-in-massachusetts.md) · p. 102 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marion-l-starkey/the-devil-in-massachusetts/at-such-moments.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [fanaticism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fanaticism.md)

> I learned to make my mind large, as the universe is large, so that there is room for paradoxes. (p29)

[Maxine Hong Kingston](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maxine-hong-kingston.md) · [The Woman Warrior](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maxine-hong-kingston/the-woman-warrior.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/maxine-hong-kingston/the-woman-warrior/i-learned-to-make.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> “Hormones are everything, Turpin,” she said to the bird on her shoulder. “Brains are nice, and looks are nice, and logic’s even nicer; but hormones run the show. For everyone, even for me and you.”

[Charles Sheffield](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield.md) · [Proteus Unbound](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/proteus-unbound.md) · p. 285 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-sheffield/proteus-unbound/hormones-are-everything.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [sexual desire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/sexual-desire.md)

> God had given men reason, by which they could find out things for themselves, but He had given animals knowledge which did not depend on reason, and which was much more prompt and perfect in its way, and by which they had often saved the lives of men.

[Anna Sewell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anna-sewell.md) · [Black Beauty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anna-sewell/black-beauty.md) · p. 61 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anna-sewell/black-beauty/god-had-given.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [animals](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/animals.md), [instinct](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/instinct.md)

> The human mind is a pattern, nothing more. The first dim flicker of awareness in the evolving forebrain of Australopithecus carried that pattern in embryo; and down through all the ages, as the human neural engine increased in power and complexity, gained control of its environment in geometrically expanding increments, the pattern never varied.
>
> Man clings to his self-orientation as the psychological center of the Universe. He can face any challenge within that framework, suffer any loss, endure any hardship—so long as the structure remains intact.
>
> Without it he’s a mind adrift in a trackless infinity—lacking any scale against which to measure his aspirations, his losses, his victories.
>
> Even when the light of his intellect shows him that the structure is itself a product of his brain; that infinity knows no scale, and eternity no duration—still he clings to his self-non-self concept, as a philosopher clings to a life he knows must end, to ideals he knows are ephemeral, to causes he knows will be forgotten.

[Keith Laumer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keith-laumer.md) · [Dinosaur Beach](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keith-laumer/dinosaur-beach.md) · p. 192 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keith-laumer/dinosaur-beach/the-human-mind.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [the universe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-universe.md)

> “Just what is your position here?”
>
> “I’m an adviser to his Majesty.” Nicodaeus smiled blandly. “He thinks I’m a master of magic, of course, but among these feather-heads a little common sense is sufficient to earn one a reputation as a wise man.”

[Keith Laumer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keith-laumer.md) · [The Time Bender](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keith-laumer/the-time-bender.md) · p. 67 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keith-laumer/the-time-bender/just-what-is-your.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wisdom.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Foster shook his head. “The inherent inertia of the human mind,” he said. “How it fights to resist new ideas.”

[Keith Laumer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keith-laumer.md) · [A Trace of Memory](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keith-laumer/a-trace-of-memory.md) · p. 37 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/keith-laumer/a-trace-of-memory/foster-shook-his.md)

Topics: [change](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/change.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [ideas](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideas.md)

> Strangely, he wasn’t scared at all. He was even more coldly calm, calmly analytical. And he knew that he would have to be if he was to stand a chance to win this war. If he was to win it, his mind would have to be his major weapon; firearms might win a battle, but never the war.

[Fredric Brown](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fredric-brown.md) · [The Mind Thing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fredric-brown/the-mind-thing.md) · p. 555 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fredric-brown/the-mind-thing/strangely-he-wasnt.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [peace of mind](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/peace-of-mind.md)

> But feeling is so different from knowing. My common sense tells me all you can say, but there are times when common sense has no power over me. Common nonsense takes possession of my soul.

[Lucy Maud Montgomery](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lucy-maud-montgomery.md) · [Anne of the Island](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lucy-maud-montgomery/anne-of-the-island.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/lucy-maud-montgomery/anne-of-the-island/but-feeling-is-so-different.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> What is remarkable is that human beings are actually able to carry out this code-breaking operation, that the human mind has the necessary intellectual equipment for us to "unlock the secrets of nature"...

[Paul Davies](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paul-davies.md) · [The Mind of God](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paul-davies/the-mind-of-god.md) · p. 148 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/paul-davies/the-mind-of-god/what-is-remarkable.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> One must be rational about such matters and being rational need not mean being cold.

[Susan Howatch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-howatch.md) · [The Wheel Of Fortune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-howatch/the-wheel-of-fortune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-howatch/the-wheel-of-fortune/one-must-be-rational.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> A rational disposition must necessarily preclude a romantic outlook in life, and only the failures of this world can afford to dispense with a rational disposition.

[Susan Howatch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-howatch.md) · [The Wheel Of Fortune](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-howatch/the-wheel-of-fortune.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/susan-howatch/the-wheel-of-fortune/a-rational-disposition.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> I can’t stop being a rationalist just because it upsets some people.

[Alastair Reynolds](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds.md) · [Poseidon's Wake](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds/poseidons-wake.md) · p. 99 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alastair-reynolds/poseidons-wake/i-cant-stop.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> The real trouble with this world of ours is not that it is an unreasonable world, nor even that it is a reasonable one. The commonest kind of trouble is that it is nearly reasonable, but not quite. Life is not an illogicality; yet it is a trap for logicians. It looks just a little more mathematical and regular than it is; its exactitude is obvious, but its inexactitude is hidden; its wildness lies in wait.

[G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [Orthodoxy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy/the-real-trouble.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> The general fact is simple. Poetry is sane because it floats easily in an infinite sea; reason seeks to cross the infinite sea, and so make it finite. The result is mental exhaustion, like the physical exhaustion of Mr. Holbein. To accept everything is an exercise, to understand everything a strain. The poet only desires exaltation and expansion, a world to stretch himself in. The poet only asks to get his head into the heavens. It is the logician who seeks to get the heavens into his head. And it is his head that splits.

[G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [Orthodoxy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy/the-general-fact.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [madness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/madness.md), [poetry](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/poetry.md)

> The madman's explanation of a thing is always complete, and often in a purely rational sense satisfactory. Or, to speak more strictly, the insane explanation, if not conclusive, is at least unanswerable; this may be observed specially in the two or three commonest kinds of madness. If a man says (for instance) that men have a conspiracy against him, you cannot dispute it except by saying that all the men deny that they are conspirators; which is exactly what conspirators would do. His explanation covers the facts as much as yours. Or if a man says that he is the rightful King of England, it is no complete answer to say that the existing authorities call him mad; for if he were King of England that might be the wisest thing for the existing authorities to do. Or if a man says that he is Jesus Christ, it is no answer to tell him that the world denies his divinity; for the world denied Christ's.

[G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [Orthodoxy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy/the-madmans-explanation.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [madness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/madness.md)

> Imagination does not breed insanity. Exactly what does breed insanity is reason. Poets do not go mad; but chess-players do. Mathematicians go mad, and cashiers; but creative artists very seldom. I am not, as will be seen, in any sense attacking logic: I only say that this danger does lie in logic, not in imagination.

[G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [Orthodoxy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy/imagination-does-not.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [madness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/madness.md), [imagination](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/imagination.md)

> It is idle to talk always of the alternative of reason and faith. Reason is itself a matter of faith. It is an act of faith to assert that our thoughts have any relation to reality at all. If you are merely a sceptic, you must sooner or later ask yourself the question, "Why should ANYTHING go right; even observation and deduction? Why should not good logic be as misleading as bad logic? They are both movements in the brain of a bewildered ape?" The young sceptic says, "I have a right to think for myself." But the old sceptic, the complete sceptic, says, "I have no right to think for myself. I have no right to think at all."

[G. Chesterton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton.md) · [Orthodoxy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/g-chesterton/orthodoxy/it-is-idle.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> The warrior uses the power of the brain to be deliberate and the power of the heart to be instinctive.

[John Twelve Hawks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-twelve-hawks.md) · [The Traveler](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-twelve-hawks/the-traveler.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-twelve-hawks/the-traveler/the-warrior-uses.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> The head is the seat of intelligence. The heart is the seat of emotion. Both have to work in cooperation with the body.

[B.K.S. Iyengar](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bks-iyengar.md) · [Light on Life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bks-iyengar/light-on-life.md) · p. 29 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/bks-iyengar/light-on-life/the-head-is-the.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> The two principles of truth, reason and senses, are not only both not genuine, but are engaged in mutual deception. The senses deceive reason through false appearances, and the senses are disturbed by passions, which produce false impressions.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/the-two-principles.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [appearances](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/appearances.md)

> This internal war of reason against the passions has made a division of those who would have peace into two sects. The first would renounce their passions, and become gods; the others would renounce reason, and become brute beasts. But neither can do so, and reason still remains, to condemn the vileness and injustice of the passions, and to trouble the repose of those who abandon themselves to them; and the passions keep always alive in those who would renounce them.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/this-internal-war.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> There is internal war in man between reason and the passions. If he had only reason without passions. If he had only passions without reason. But having both, he cannot be without strife, being unable to be at peace with the one without being at war with the other. Thus he is always divided against, and opposed to himself.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/there-is-internal.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> Nothing is so conformable to reason as to disavow reason.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/nothing-is-so-conformable.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Instinct and reason, marks of two natures.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/instinct-and-reason.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Memory is necessary for all the operations of reason.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/memory-is-necessary.md)

Topics: [memory](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/memory.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Reason commands us far more than imperiously than a master; for in disobeying the one we are unfortunate, and in disobeying the other we are fools.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/reason-commands-us-far.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Doubtless there are natural laws; but good reason once corrupted has corrupted all.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/doubtless-there-are.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> When we are accustomed to use bad reasons for proving natural effects, we are not willing to receive good reasons when they are discovered.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/when-we-are.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Put the world's greatest philosopher on a plank that is wider than need be; if there is a precipice below, although his reason may convince him that he is safe, his imagination will prevail.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/put-the-worlds.md)

Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [imagination](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/imagination.md)

> Imagination.—This arrogant power, the enemy of reason, who likes to rule and dominate it, has established in man a second nature to show how all-powerful she is. She makes men happy and sad, healthy and sick, rich and poor; she compels reason to believe, doubt, and deny; she blunts the senses, or quickens them; she has her fools and sages; and nothing vexes us more than to see that she fills her devotees with a satisfaction far more full and entire than does reason.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/imagination-this-arrogant-power.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [imagination](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/imagination.md)

> He who would follow reason only would be deemed foolish by the generality of men. We must judge by the opinion of the majority of mankind. Because it has pleased them, we must work all day for pleasures seen to be imaginary; and after sleep has refreshed our tired reason, we must forthwith start up and rush after phantoms, and suffer the impressions of this mistress of the world.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/he-who-would.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Those who are accustomed to judge by feeling do not understand the process of reasoning, for they would understand at first sight, and are not used to seek for principles. And others, on the contrary, who are accustomed to reason from principles, do not at all understand matters of feeling, seeking principles, and being unable to see at a glance.

[Blaise Pascal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal.md) · [Pensees](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/blaise-pascal/pensees/those-who-are.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> Exceptional claims require exceptional evidence.

[Christopher Hitchens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens.md) · [God Is Not Great](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/god-is-not-great.md) · p. 143 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-hitchens/god-is-not-great/exceptional-claims-require.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> It was an appeal to reason, and they’re always dangerous. You can’t trust reason. We threw it out of the ad profession long ago and have never missed it.

[Frederik Pohl](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frederik-pohl.md) · [The Space Merchants](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frederik-pohl/the-space-merchants.md) · p. 103 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frederik-pohl/the-space-merchants/it-was-an-appeal.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [advertising](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/advertising.md)

> Desperation guides us in life. Rationality does not.

[Neamat Imam](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neamat-imam.md) · [The Black Coat](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neamat-imam/the-black-coat.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/neamat-imam/the-black-coat/desperation-guides-us-in-life.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [despair](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/despair.md)

> The foolish thing was trying to solve the problem all by myself. But the deeper I get tangled up in this mass of dreams and memories the more I realize that emotional problems can't be solved as intellectual problems are.

[Daniel Keyes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-keyes.md) · [Flowers For Algernon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-keyes/flowers-for-algernon.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-keyes/flowers-for-algernon/the-foolish-thing.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> In a very real sense we have two minds, one that thinks and one that feels. These two fundamentally different ways of knowing interact to construct our mental life.

[Daniel Goleman](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-goleman.md) · [Emotional Intelligence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-goleman/emotional-intelligence.md) · p. 8 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-goleman/emotional-intelligence/in-a-very.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> Don’t look for reason where it’s never been practiced.

[Michael Bishop](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-bishop.md) · [A Funeral for the Eyes of Fire](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-bishop/a-funeral-for-the-eyes-of-fire.md) · p. 92 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-bishop/a-funeral-for-the-eyes-of-fire/dont-look-for.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> You like to imagine yourself in control of your fate, consciously planning the course of your life as best you can. But you are largely unaware of how deeply your emotions dominate you. They make you veer toward ideas that soothe your ego. They make you look for evidence that confirms what you already want to believe. They make you see what you want to see, depending on your mood, and this disconnect from reality is the source of the bad decisions and negative patterns that haunt your life. Rationality is the ability to counteract these emotional effects, to think instead of react, to open your mind to what is really happening, as opposed to what you are feeling. It does not come naturally; it is a power we must cultivate, but in doing so we realize our greatest potential.

[Robert Greene](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-greene.md) · [The Laws of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-greene/the-laws-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-greene/the-laws-of-human-nature/you-like-to-imagine.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> When we valorize ignorance and debase reason, we diminish man and the humanity that dwells within him, to bum an old fashioned phrase from Kant.

[Laura Penny](https://www.leafyquotes.com/laura-penny.md) · [More Money Than Brains](https://www.leafyquotes.com/laura-penny/more-money-than-brains.md) · p. 35 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/laura-penny/more-money-than-brains/when-we-valorize.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [ignorance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ignorance.md)

> Reasoning is a robust source of hope and confidence in a world darkened by murky deeds – past and present. It is not hard to see why this is so. Even when we find something immediately upsetting, we can question that response and ask whether it is an appropriate reaction and whether we should really be guided by it. Reasoning can be concerned with the right way of viewing and treating other people, other cultures, other claims, and with examining different grounds for respect and tolerance.

[Amartya Sen](https://www.leafyquotes.com/amartya-sen.md) · [The Idea of Justice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/amartya-sen/the-idea-of-justice.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/amartya-sen/the-idea-of-justice/reasoning-is-a-robust.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [tolerance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/tolerance.md)

> I am a peaceful man, captain. I rely more on my cerebral cortex than my guns.

[Poul Anderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/poul-anderson.md) · [The Long Way Home](https://www.leafyquotes.com/poul-anderson/the-long-way-home.md) · p. 160 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/poul-anderson/the-long-way-home/i-am-a-peaceful.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [peace](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/peace.md)

> “I thought you were a believer.”
>
> “I am. But just because I honor the Almighty doesn’t mean I’m going to accept any explanation, Kabsal. It might be religion, but it still has to make sense.”

[Brandon Sanderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson.md) · [The Way of Kings](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/the-way-of-kings.md) · p. 635 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/the-way-of-kings/i-thought-you.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Men often place pride before reason.

[Brandon Sanderson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson.md) · [Elantris](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/elantris.md) · p. 273 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/brandon-sanderson/elantris/men-often-place.md)

Topics: [pride](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/pride.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> The Newtonian principle of gravitation is now more firmly established, on the basis of reason, than it would be were the government to step in, and to make it an article of necessary faith. Reason and experiment have been indulged, and error has fled before them.

[Thomas Jefferson](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-jefferson.md) · [Notes on the State of Virginia](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-jefferson/notes-on-the-state-of-virginia.md) · p. 171 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-jefferson/notes-on-the-state-of-virginia/the-newtonian-principle.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Once you cared about a person, it was impossible to be logical about them anymore.

[Stephenie Meyer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephenie-meyer.md) · [New Moon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephenie-meyer/new-moon.md) · p. 304 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/stephenie-meyer/new-moon/once-you-cared.md)

Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> I can’t really imagine war. I can imagine having to fight some swarm of zombie machines or snarling horde of posthuman fast-burn wreckage or whatever, but not two or more actual human societies actually fighting each other. I’m aware that people did that, before history, before the Moon, but it seems irrational. One side would have to believe they had something to gain from destroying or damaging the other, which just doesn’t make sense: it runs up against the law of association. And more to the point, each individual on any side would have to believe that they benefited from participating even if they died, which doesn’t make sense either. I suppose kin selection could make genes prevalent that made people vulnerable to that kind of illusion, but that only makes sense with animals that don’t have foresight. Even crows aren’t that stupid, at least not the ones that can talk. You have to get down to ants and such like before you see that kind of genetic mechanical mindlessness.

[Ken MacLeod](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ken-macleod.md) · [Learning The World](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ken-macleod/learning-the-world.md) · p. 134 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ken-macleod/learning-the-world/i-cant-really.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Had there been no other personal attribute to influence the final outcome, Tarzan of the Apes, the young Lord Greystoke, would have died as he had lived — an unknown savage beast in equatorial Africa.
>
> But there was that which had raised him far above his fellows of the jungle — that little spark which spells the whole vast difference between man and brute — Reason. This it was which saved him from death beneath the iron muscles and tearing fangs of Terkoz.

[Edgar Rice Burroughs](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-rice-burroughs.md) · [Tarzan of the Apes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-rice-burroughs/tarzan-of-the-apes.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/edgar-rice-burroughs/tarzan-of-the-apes/had-there-been.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Love, ah Love, when your slipknot's drawn,
>
> One can but say, "Farewell, good sense."

[Marianne Moore](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marianne-moore.md) · [The Poems of Marianne Moore](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marianne-moore/the-poems-of-marianne-moore.md) · p. 367 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/marianne-moore/the-poems-of-marianne-moore/love-ah-love.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [falling in love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/falling-in-love.md)

> [W]e've repeatedly underestimated not only the size of our cosmos, but also the power of our human mind to understand it.

[Max Tegmark](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-tegmark.md) · [Our Mathematical Universe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-tegmark/our-mathematical-universe.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/max-tegmark/our-mathematical-universe/w-eve-repeatedly-underestimated.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [the universe](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-universe.md)

> I'll not listen to reason…Reason always means what someone else has got to say.

[Elizabeth Gaskell](https://www.leafyquotes.com/elizabeth-gaskell.md) · [Cranford](https://www.leafyquotes.com/elizabeth-gaskell/cranford.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/elizabeth-gaskell/cranford/ill-not-listen.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Simplify the social system, in the manner which every motive, but those of usurpation and ambition, powerfully recommends; render the plain dictates of justice level to every capacity; remove the necessity of implicit faith; and we may expect the whole species to become reasonable and virtuous. '''

[William Godwin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-godwin.md) · [Enquiry Concerning Political Justice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-godwin/enquiry-concerning-political-justice.md) · p. 477 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-godwin/enquiry-concerning-political-justice/simplify-the-social.md)

Topics: [justice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/justice.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Nothing can be of more importance than to separate prejudice and mistake on the one hand from reason and demonstration on the other.

[William Godwin](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-godwin.md) · [Enquiry Concerning Political Justice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-godwin/enquiry-concerning-political-justice.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-godwin/enquiry-concerning-political-justice/nothing-can-be-of-more.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [prejudice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/prejudice.md)

> People didn’t always follow their best interests. Human beings were distressingly bad at risk analysis, lousy with hidden motivations and neuroses, anything but the clean rational actors that economists or diplomats wanted so desperately to believe in, and diplomats had to go by capabilities, not intentions.

[Charles Stross](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross.md) · [Iron Sunrise](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross/iron-sunrise.md) · p. 245 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charles-stross/iron-sunrise/people-didnt-always.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> His thinking wasn’t logical. But whatever the philosophers claimed, the main use of logic was to justify your emotions.

[Philip José Farmer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-jose-farmer.md) · [The Fabulous Riverboat](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-jose-farmer/the-fabulous-riverboat.md) · p. 158 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/philip-jose-farmer/the-fabulous-riverboat/his-thinking-wasnt.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> No one thing shows the greatness and power of the human intellect or the loftiness and nobility of man more than his ability to know and to understand fully and feel strongly his own smallness. When, in considering the multiplicity of worlds, he feels himself to be an infinitesimal part of a globe which itself is a negligible part of one of the infinite number of systems that go to make up the world, and in considering this is astonished by his own smallness, and in feeling it deeply and regarding it intently, virtually blends into nothing, and it is as if he loses himself in the immensity of things, and finds himself as though lost in the incomprehensible vastness of existence, with this single act and thought he gives the greatest possible proof of the nobility and immense capability of his own mind, which, enclosed in such a small and negligible being, has nonetheless managed to know and understand things so superior to his own nature, and to embrace and contain this same intensity of existence and things in his thought.

[Giacomo Leopardi](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giacomo-leopardi.md) · [Zibaldone: The Notebooks of Leopardi](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giacomo-leopardi/zibaldone-the-notebooks-of-leopardi.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/giacomo-leopardi/zibaldone-the-notebooks-of-leopardi/no-one-thing.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [humility](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humility.md)

> “I take comfort in the loyalty and faith you display towards your crew, Captain.”
>
> “My crew are loyal to me, Colonel; I am only loyal to the regiment and Gzilt. Also, faith is belief without reason; we operate on reason and nothing but. I have zero faith in my crew, just absolute confidence.”

[Iain M. Banks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks.md) · [The Hydrogen Sonata](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/the-hydrogen-sonata.md) · p. 249 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/the-hydrogen-sonata/i-take-comfort.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [trust](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/trust.md)

> Reason shapes the future, but superstition infects the present.

[Iain M. Banks](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks.md) · [The State Of The Art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/the-state-of-the-art.md) · p. 75 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iain-m-banks/the-state-of-the-art/reason-shapes-the.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [superstitions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/superstitions.md)

> The actions of human beings are not invariably governed by the laws of pure reason

[Wilkie Collins](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilkie-collins.md) · [The Law and the Lady](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilkie-collins/the-law-and-the-lady.md) · p. 32 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wilkie-collins/the-law-and-the-lady/the-actions-of-human.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Better to be without logic than without feeling.

[Charlotte Brontë](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte.md) · [The Professor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/the-professor.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/charlotte-bronte/the-professor/better-to-be-without.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> "There are only two possible statements that can be made about the worlds," the Black Pope of the Carlist Hills had lectured one day. "Alpha: There is a God. Omega: there is not a God. To adhere to either of these two statements strongly is to be logical at least. Not to do so is to be in the snivelling wasteland between and to have no point of contact with logic or reason."

[R. A. Lafferty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/r-a-lafferty.md) · [The Flame Is Green](https://www.leafyquotes.com/r-a-lafferty/the-flame-is-green.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/r-a-lafferty/the-flame-is-green/there-are-only.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> I applied my reason at every moment. Reason is excellent for getting food, clothing and shelter. Reason is the very best tool kit. Nothing beats reason for keeping tigers away. But be excessively reasonable and you risk throwing out the universe with the bathwater.

[Yann Martel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yann-martel.md) · [Life Of Pi](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yann-martel/life-of-pi.md) · p. 330 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/yann-martel/life-of-pi/i-applied-my-reason.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> You know, my Friends, with what a brave Carouse
>
> I made a Second Marriage in my house;
>
> Divorced old barren Reason from my Bed
>
> And took the Daughter of the Vine to Spouse.

[Omar Khayyam](https://www.leafyquotes.com/omar-khayyam.md) · [Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam](https://www.leafyquotes.com/omar-khayyam/rubaiyat-of-omar-khayyam.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/omar-khayyam/rubaiyat-of-omar-khayyam/you-know-my-friends.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [alcohol](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/alcohol.md)

> I’ve always tried to be a rational man. I don’t have much use for the idea of miracles. Things are what they are, that’s all.

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: In at the Death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-in-at-the-death.md) · p. 575 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-in-at-the-death/ive-always-tried.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [miracles](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/miracles.md)

> Patton stared at him. “Then why doesn’t he throw you in irons, the way you deserve?”
>
> “Because he knows I think with my head, not with my heart or my balls,” Potter answered. “It’s really a useful technique. You ought to try it one of these days…sir.”

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: In at the Death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-in-at-the-death.md) · p. 534 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-in-at-the-death/patton-stared-at-him.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Had optimism run that far ahead of common sense?

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [Settling Accounts: In at the Death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-in-at-the-death.md) · p. 351 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/settling-accounts-in-at-the-death/had-optimism-run.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> You kill everybody who doesn’t want to see reason, people will get mighty thin on the ground mighty fast.

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [American Empire: The Victorious Opposition](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/american-empire-the-victorious-opposition.md) · p. 156 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/american-empire-the-victorious-opposition/you-kill-everybody.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [violence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/violence.md)

> “That’s logical. That’s a rational,” Hosea Blackford said. “Politics, unfortunately, is neither.”

[Harry Turtledove](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove.md) · [American Empire: Blood and Iron](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/american-empire-blood-and-iron.md) · p. 291 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/harry-turtledove/american-empire-blood-and-iron/thats-logical-thats.md)

Topics: [politics](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/politics.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> For myth changes while custom remains constant; men continue to do what their did before them, though the reasons on which their fathers acted have been long forgotten.The history of religion is a long attempt to reconcile old custom with new reason, to find a sound theory for an absurd practice.

[James George Frazer](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer.md) · [The Golden Bough](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-george-frazer/the-golden-bough/for-myth-changes.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [tradition](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/tradition.md)

> [A]nd their judgment was based more upon blind wishing than upon any sound prediction; for it is a habit of mankind to entrust to careless hope what they long for, and to use sovereign reason to thrust aside what they do not desire.

[Thucydides](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thucydides.md) · [History of the Peloponnesian War](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thucydides/history-of-the-peloponnesian-war.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thucydides/history-of-the-peloponnesian-war/a-nd-their-judgment.md)

Topics: [hope](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/hope.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [self-deception](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/self-deception-2.md)

> As the Gauphin taught, people are ridiculous! We have language and history, we have technology and philosophy, and we still have not achieved good sense and self-control!

[Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [Shadow’s End](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/shadows-end.md) · p. 315 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/shadows-end/as-the-gauphin.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [self-control](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/self-control.md)

> Breaze had decided that he would require his followers to believe illogical things as evidence of their faith. He would require them to believe that Breaze had created Elsewhere and all its people in one day, out of nothing, exactly one thousand years ago! But… (a master stroke) he would leave evidence in Files to contradict this! Thus they would have to disbelieve the evidence of their own senses in order to believe in Breaze!
>
> When he got to this point, a small voice asked why he had given men such senses in the first place? Why had he given them intelligence if he intended to forbid its use?

[Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [Sideshow](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/sideshow.md) · p. 424 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/sideshow/breaze-had-decided.md)

Topics: [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> He did a lot of disputation and he always raised his voice when his logic was weak.

[Sheri S. Tepper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper.md) · [Grass](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/grass.md) · p. 447 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sheri-s-tepper/grass/he-did-a-lot.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [conversation](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conversation.md)

> In short, the magnifying influence of fear began to set at naught the calculations of reason, and to render those who should have remembered their manhood, the slaves of the basest passions.

[James Fenimore Cooper](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-fenimore-cooper.md) · [The Last of the Mohicans](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-fenimore-cooper/the-last-of-the-mohicans.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/james-fenimore-cooper/the-last-of-the-mohicans/in-short-the.md)

Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Applied properly, it [logic] can overcome any lack of wisdom, which one only gains through age and experience.

[Christopher Paolini](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-paolini.md) · [Eldest](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-paolini/eldest.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/christopher-paolini/eldest/applied-properly-it-logic.md)

Topics: [wisdom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/wisdom.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [experience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/experience.md)

> How easy it would have been flatly to have told the boy that his pilgrim was only an old tramp of some kind, and then to have commanded him not to think otherwise. But by allowing the boy to see that a question was possible, he had rendered such a command ineffective before he uttered it. Insofar as thought could be governed at all, it could only be commanded to follow what reason affirmed anyhow; command it otherwise, and it would not obey.

[Walter M. Miller Jr.](https://www.leafyquotes.com/walter-m-miller-jr.md) · [A Canticle for Leibowitz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/walter-m-miller-jr/a-canticle-for-leibowitz.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/walter-m-miller-jr/a-canticle-for-leibowitz/how-easy-it-would.md)

Topics: [thinking](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/thinking.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> But just as it sometimes happens that the most temperate people, who have never acquired the habit of drinking alcohol, or even a taste for it, are tormented by the fear that somehow or other they will one day find themselves drunk, so Isabelle perpetually feared that she might be betrayed into an impulsive act that was destructive to such order as reason had imposed on life. Therefore she was forever running her faculty of analysis over in her mind with the preposterous zeal of an adolescent running a razor over his beardless chin.

[Rebecca West](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rebecca-west.md) · [The Thinking Reed](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rebecca-west/the-thinking-reed.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/rebecca-west/the-thinking-reed/but-just-as-it-sometimes.md)

Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Why has government been instituted at all? Because the passions of men will not conform to the dictates of reason and justice, without constraint.

[Alexander Hamilton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexander-hamilton.md) · [The Federalist Papers](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexander-hamilton/the-federalist-papers.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/alexander-hamilton/the-federalist-papers/why-has-government.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [the state](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-state.md), [passion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/passion.md)

> Bill Door made the mistake millions of people had tried before with small children in slightly similar circumstances. He resorted to reason. (p. 159)

[Terry Pratchett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett.md) · [Reaper Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/reaper-man.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/terry-pratchett/reaper-man/bill-door-made.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [children](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/children.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Manfred was not one of those savage tyrants who wanton in cruelty unprovoked. The circumstances of his fortune had given an asperity to his temper, which was naturally humane; and his virtues were always ready to operate, when his passions did not obscure his reason.

[Horace Walpole](https://www.leafyquotes.com/horace-walpole.md) · [The Castle of Otranto](https://www.leafyquotes.com/horace-walpole/the-castle-of-otranto.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/horace-walpole/the-castle-of-otranto/manfred-was-not.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [passion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/passion.md)

> Modern man likes to pretend that his thinking is wide-awake. But this wide-awake thinking has led us into the mazes of a nightmare in which the torture chambers are endlessly repeated in the mirrors of reason.

[Octavio Paz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavio-paz.md) · [The Labyrinth of Solitude](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavio-paz/the-labyrinth-of-solitude.md) · p. 212 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/octavio-paz/the-labyrinth-of-solitude/modern-man-likes.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Mind is a captive of the body.

[Camille Paglia](https://www.leafyquotes.com/camille-paglia.md) · [Sexual Personae](https://www.leafyquotes.com/camille-paglia/sexual-personae.md) · p. 17 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/camille-paglia/sexual-personae/mind-is-a-captive.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [the body](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-body.md)

> The truth seems to be that we live in concepts of the imagination before the reason has established them. If this is true, then reason is simply the methodizer of the imagination.

[Wallace Stevens](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wallace-stevens.md) · [The Necessary Angel](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wallace-stevens/the-necessary-angel.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/wallace-stevens/the-necessary-angel/the-truth-seems.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [imagination](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/imagination.md)

> Whatever doubt might rise, he knew that he was right. But the rightness was an intellectual rightness and the doubt emotional.

[Clifford D. Simak](https://www.leafyquotes.com/clifford-d-simak.md) · [Time is the Simplest Thing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/clifford-d-simak/time-is-the-simplest-thing.md) · p. 14 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/clifford-d-simak/time-is-the-simplest-thing/whatever-doubt-might.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> An unquestioned creed is a noose about the throat of Reason.

[Michael Moorcock](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock.md) · [The City in the Autumn Stars](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-city-in-the-autumn-stars.md) · p. 211 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/michael-moorcock/the-city-in-the-autumn-stars/an-unquestioned-creed.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [beliefs](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/beliefs.md)

> The only satisfied rationalists today are blinkered scientists or Marxists.

[Iris Murdoch](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iris-murdoch.md) · [Sartre](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iris-murdoch/sartre.md) · p. 113 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/iris-murdoch/sartre/the-only-satisfied.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> But reason was only a created thing, imposed with faith upon the world, and the stars promise nothing to no one.

[Anne Rice](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-rice.md) · [Pandora](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-rice/pandora.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/anne-rice/pandora/but-reason-was.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Viewed from a wholly logical point of view the bearing and rearing of children is a thoroughly unattractive proposition. To a woman it means pain and endless worry. To a man it means extra work extending over many years to support his family. So, if we were wholly logical about sex, we should probably not bother to reproduce at all. Nature takes care of this by making us utterly and wholly irrational.

[Fred Hoyle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fred-hoyle.md) · [The Black Cloud](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fred-hoyle/the-black-cloud.md) · p. 154 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fred-hoyle/the-black-cloud/viewed-from-a-wholly.md)

Topics: [children](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/children.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Cautious deliberation based on purely rational arguments can save us from many errors and dangers. ...But ...there will always be a fundamental complementarity between deliberation and decision. ...The decision finally... pushing away all the arguments... The decision may be the result of deliberation, but it is... complementary... it excludes deliberation. Even the most important decisions... contain this inevitable element of irrationality. ...[I]t cannot be avoided that some real or apparent truth form the basis of life; and this fact should be acknowledged with regard to those groups... whose basis is different from our own.

[Werner Heisenberg](https://www.leafyquotes.com/werner-heisenberg.md) · [Physics and Philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/werner-heisenberg/physics-and-philosophy.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/werner-heisenberg/physics-and-philosophy/cautious-deliberation-based.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [choices](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/choices.md)

> I believe that intelligence and rationality will always be primary no matter what shape sentient creatures take. To not think that would be to doubt the value of life itself.

[Peter F. Hamilton](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-f-hamilton.md) · [Pandora's Star](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-f-hamilton/pandoras-star.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/peter-f-hamilton/pandoras-star/i-believe-that.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [intelligence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/intelligence.md)

> All our rationalities are invented to justify what we were going to do anyway before we thought of any reasons.

[Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [Children Of The Mind](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/children-of-the-mind.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/children-of-the-mind/all-our-rationalities.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [choices](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/choices.md)

> Your trust in rationality makes you irrational.

[Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [Children Of The Mind](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/children-of-the-mind.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/children-of-the-mind/your-trust-in-rationality.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Reason … contradicts the established order of men and things on behalf of existing societal forces that reveal the irrational character of this order — for “rational” is a mode of thought and action which is geared to reduce ignorance, destruction, brutality, and oppression.

[Herbert Marcuse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herbert-marcuse.md) · [One-Dimensional Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herbert-marcuse/one-dimensional-man.md) · p. 141 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herbert-marcuse/one-dimensional-man/reason-contradicts-the.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Ascending modern rationalism, in its speculative as well as empirical form, shows a striking contrast between extreme critical radicalism in scientific and philosophic method on the one hand, and an uncritical quietism in the attitude toward established and functioning social institutions. Thus Descartes' ego cogitans was to leave the “great public bodies” untouched, and Hobbes held that “the present ought always to be preferred, maintained, and accounted best.” Kant agreed with Locke in justifying revolution if and when it has succeeded in organizing the whole and in preventing subversion. However, these accommodating concepts of Reason were always contradicted by the evident misery and injustice of the “great public bodies” and the effective, more or less conscious rebellion against them. Societal conditions existed which provoked and permitted real dissociation. from the established state of affairs; a private as well as political dimension was present in which dissociation could develop into effective opposition, testing its strength and the validity of its objectives. With the gradual closing of this dimension by the society, the self-limitation of thought assumes a larger significance. The interrelation between scientific-philosophical and societal processes, between theoretical and practical Reason, asserts itself "behind the back” of the scientists and philosophers. The society bars a whole type of oppositional operations and behavior; consequently, the concepts pertaining to them are rendered illusory or meaningless. Historical transcendence appears as metaphysical transcendence, not acceptable to science and scientific thought. The operational and behavioral point of view, practiced as a “habit of thought” at large, becomes the view of the established universe of discourse and action, needs and aspirations. The “cunning of Reason” works, as it so often did, in the interest of the powers that be. The insistence on operational and behavioral concepts turns against the efforts to free thought and behavior from the given reality and for the suppressed alternatives.

[Herbert Marcuse](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herbert-marcuse.md) · [One-Dimensional Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herbert-marcuse/one-dimensional-man.md) · p. 15 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/herbert-marcuse/one-dimensional-man/ascending-modern-rationalism.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/philosophy.md)

> "Man cannot survive except through the use of his mind. He comes on earth unarmed. His brain is his only weapon. Animals obtain food by force. Man has no claws, no fangs, no horns, no great strength of muscle. He must plant his food or hunt it. To plant, he needs a process of thought. To hunt, he needs weapons, and to make weapons—a process of thought. From this simplest necessity to the highest religious abstraction, from the wheel to the skyscraper, everything we are and everything we have comes from a single attribute of man—the function of his reasoning mind.
>
> But the mind is an attribute of the individual. There is no such thing as a collective brain. There is no such thing as a collective thought. An agreement reached by a group of men is only a compromise or an average drawn upon many individual thoughts. It is a secondary consequence. The primary act—the process of reason—must be performed by each man alone. We can divide a meal among many men. We cannot digest it in a collective stomach. No man can use his lungs to breathe for another man. No man can use his brain to think for another. All the functions of body and spirit are private. They cannot be shared or transferred."

[Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [The Fountainhead](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/the-fountainhead.md) · p. 737 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/the-fountainhead/man-cannot-survive.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [individualism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/individualism.md)

> "The basic need of the creator is independence. The reasoning mind cannot work under any form of compulsion. It cannot be curbed, sacrificed or subordinated to any consideration whatsoever. It demands total independence in function and in motive. To a creator, all relations with men are secondary."

[Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [The Fountainhead](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/the-fountainhead.md) · p. 738 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/the-fountainhead/the-basic-need.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [independence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/independence.md)

> The brain speculates but the heart knows.

[Morrissey](https://www.leafyquotes.com/morrissey.md) · [Autobiography](https://www.leafyquotes.com/morrissey/autobiography.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/morrissey/autobiography/the-brain-speculates.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [intuition](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/intuition.md)

> "Force and mind are opposites; morality ends where a gun begins."

[Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [Atlas Shrugged](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/atlas-shrugged.md) · p. 1023 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/atlas-shrugged/force-and-mind.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [violence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/violence.md)

> "When I disagree with a rational man, I let reality be our final arbiter; if I am right, he will learn; if I am wrong, I will; one of us will win, but both will profit."

[Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [Atlas Shrugged](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/atlas-shrugged.md) · p. 1023 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/atlas-shrugged/when-i-disagree.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [logic](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/logic.md)

> "Man's mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him; survival is not. His body is given to him, its sustenance is not. His mind is given to him, its contents are not. To remain alive, he must act, and before he can act he must know the nature and purpose of his action."

[Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [Atlas Shrugged](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/atlas-shrugged.md) · p. 1012 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/atlas-shrugged/mans-mind-is-his.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [survival](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/survival.md)

> "Have you ever looked for the root of production? Take a look at an electric generator and dare tell yourself that it was created by the muscular effort of unthinking brutes. Try to grow a seed of wheat without the knowledge left to you by men who had to discover it for the first time. Try to obtain your food by means of nothing but physical motions—and you'll learn that man's mind is the root of all the goods produced and of all the wealth that has ever existed on earth."

[Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [Atlas Shrugged](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/atlas-shrugged.md) · p. 410 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/atlas-shrugged/have-you-ever-looked.md)

Topics: [work](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/work.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Although our intellect always longs for clarity and certainty, our nature often finds uncertainty fascinating.

[Carl von Clausewitz](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-von-clausewitz.md) · [On War](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-von-clausewitz/on-war.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-von-clausewitz/on-war/although-our-intellect.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [uncertainty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/uncertainty.md)

> Reason does not reason. It goes straight to the fact or the consequence.

[Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert.md) · [The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert/reason-does-not.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Reason leads man back to his instincts.

[Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert.md) · [The Notebooks of Joseph Joubert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/joseph-joubert/the-notebooks-of-joseph-joubert/reason-leads-man.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [intuition](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/intuition.md)

> A list of the ways in which we’re stupid can’t explain why we’re so smart: smart enough to have discovered the laws of nature, transformed the planet, lengthened and enriched our lives, and, not least, articulated the rules of rationality that we so often flout.

[Steven Pinker](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-pinker.md) · [Rationality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-pinker/rationality.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/steven-pinker/rationality/a-list-of-the.md)

Topics: [stupidity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/stupidity.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> The qualities most useful to ourselves are, first of all, superior reason and understanding, by which we are capable of discerning the remote consequences of all our actions, and of foreseeing the advantage or detriment which is likely to result from them: and secondly, self-command, by which we are enabled to abstain from present pleasure or to endure present pain, in order to obtain a greater pleasure or to avoid a greater pain in some future time. In the union of those two qualities consists the virtue of prudence, of all the virtues that which is most useful to the individual

[Adam Smith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/adam-smith.md) · [The Theory of Moral Sentiments](https://www.leafyquotes.com/adam-smith/the-theory-of-moral-sentiments.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/adam-smith/the-theory-of-moral-sentiments/the-qualities-most.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [self-control](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/self-control.md)

> In no victory do they glory so much as in that which is gained by dexterity and good conduct without bloodshed. In such cases they appoint public triumphs, and erect trophies to the honour of those who have succeeded; for then do they reckon that a man acts suitably to his nature, when he conquers his enemy in such a way as that no other creature but a man could be capable of, and that is by the strength of his understanding. Bears, lions, boars, wolves, and dogs, and all other animals, employ their bodily force one against another, in which, as many of them are superior to men, both in strength and fierceness, so they are all subdued by his reason and understanding.

[Thomas More](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-more.md) · [Utopia](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-more/utopia.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-more/utopia/in-no-victory.md)

Topics: [war](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/war.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> I think that you are immune to the temptations of religion. If you are not, I cannot help you, any more than I could keep you from acquiring a drug habit. A religion is sometimes a source of happiness and I would not deprive anyone of happiness. But it is a comfort appropriate for the weak, not for the strong—and you are strong. The great trouble with religion—any religion—is that a religionist, having accepted certain propositions by faith, cannot thereafter judge those propositions by evidence. One may bask in at the warm fire of faith or choose to live in the bleak uncertainty of reason—but one cannot have both.

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein.md) · [Friday](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/friday.md) · p. 253 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/friday/i-think-that.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> “Common sense?”
>
> “Son, that phrase is self-contradictory. ‘Sense’ is never ‘common.’”

[Robert A. Heinlein](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein.md) · [Time Enough For Love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/time-enough-for-love.md) · p. 26 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-a-heinlein/time-enough-for-love/common-sense-son.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> The voice of the intellect is a soft one, but it does not rest until it has gained a hearing. Ultimately, after endlessly repeated rebuffs, it succeeds. This is one of the few points in which it may be optimistic about the future of mankind, but in itself it signifies not a little.

[Sigmund Freud](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sigmund-freud.md) · [The Future of an Illusion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sigmund-freud/the-future-of-an-illusion.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/sigmund-freud/the-future-of-an-illusion/the-voice-of-the.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [optimism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/optimism.md)

> Aillas replied that while King Audry cited several points of technical interest, and used the resources of abstract logic in an adroit manner, he had actually made no connection with reality.

[Jack Vance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance.md) · [The Green Pearl](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/the-green-pearl.md) · p. 626 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/jack-vance/the-green-pearl/aillas-replied-that.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [reality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reality.md)

> Logic and truth are two very different things, but they often look the same to the mind that’s performing the logic.

[Theodore Sturgeon](https://www.leafyquotes.com/theodore-sturgeon.md) · [More Than Human](https://www.leafyquotes.com/theodore-sturgeon/more-than-human.md) · p. 97 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/theodore-sturgeon/more-than-human/logic-and-truth.md)

Topics: [truth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> It is not easy to fall into any absurdity, unless it be by the length of an account; wherein he may perhaps forget what went before. For all men by nature reason alike, and well, when they have good principles. For who is so stupid as both to mistake in geometry, and also to persist in it, when another detects his error to him?
>
> By this it appears that reason is not, as sense and memory, born with us; nor gotten by experience only, as prudence is; but attained by industry: first in apt imposing of names; and secondly by getting a good and orderly method in proceeding from the elements, which are names, to assertions made by connexion of one of them to another; and so to syllogisms, which are the connexions of one assertion to another, till we come to a knowledge of all the consequences of names appertaining to the subject in hand; and that is it, men call science. And whereas sense and memory are but knowledge of fact, which is a thing past and irrevocable, science is the knowledge of consequences, and dependence of one fact upon another; by which, out of that we can presently do, we know how to do something else when we will, or the like, another time: because when we see how anything comes about, upon what causes, and by what manner; when the like causes come into our power, we see how to make it produce the like effects.
>
> Children therefore are not endued with reason at all, till they have attained the use of speech, but are called reasonable creatures for the possibility apparent of having the use of reason in time to come.

[Thomas Hobbes](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hobbes.md) · [Leviathan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hobbes/leviathan.md) · p. 21 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-hobbes/leviathan/it-is-not.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> You are pooped and demoralized. Why wouldn't you be? Of course it is exhausting, having to reason all the time in a universe which wasn't meant to be reasonable.

[Kurt Vonnegut](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut.md) · [Breakfast of Champions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/breakfast-of-champions.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/kurt-vonnegut/breakfast-of-champions/you-are-pooped.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> [B]ecoming more rational, or not feeling the emotions of social slights, is not part of the human race... not with our current biology. There is no solace to be found from reasoning...

[Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb.md) · [Fooled by Randomness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/fooled-by-randomness.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/fooled-by-randomness/b-ecoming-more-rational.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> [W]e like to emit logical and rational ideas but we do not enjoy this execution.

[Nassim Nicholas Taleb](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb.md) · [Fooled by Randomness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/fooled-by-randomness.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/nassim-nicholas-taleb/fooled-by-randomness/w-e-like-to-emit.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> [I]f you want to reason about faith, and offer a reasoned (and reason-responsive) defense of faith as an extra category of belief worthy of special consideration, I'm eager to [participate]. I certainly grant the existence of the phenomenon of faith; what I want to see is a reasoned ground for taking faith as a way of getting to the truth, and not, say, just as a way people comfort themselves and each other (a worthy function that I do take seriously). But you must not expect me to go along with your defense of faith as a path to truth if at any point you appeal to the very dispensation you are supposedly trying to justify. Before you appeal to faith when reason has you backed into a corner, think about whether you really want to abandon reason when reason is on your side. You are sightseeing with a loved one in a foreign land, and your loved one is brutally murdered in front of your eyes. At the trial it turns out that in this land friends of the accused may be called as witnesses for the defense, testifying about their faith in his innocence. You watch the parade of his moist-eyed friends, obviously sincere, proudly proclaiming their undying faith in the innocence of the man you saw commit the terrible deed. The judge listens intently and respectfully, obviously more moved by this outpouring than by all the evidence presented by the prosecution. Is this not a nightmare? Would you be willing to live in such a land? Or would you be willing to be operated on by a surgeon you tells you that whenever a little voice in him tells him to disregard his medical training, he listens to the little voice? I know it passes in polite company to let people have it both ways, and under most circumstances I wholeheartedly cooperate with this benign agreement. But we're seriously trying to get at the truth here, and if you think that this common but unspoken understanding about faith is anything better than socially useful obfuscation to avoid mutual embarrassment and loss of face, you have either seen much more deeply into the issue that any philosopher ever has (for none has ever come up with a good defense of this) or you are kidding yourself.

[Daniel Dennett](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-dennett.md) · [Darwin's Dangerous Idea](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-dennett/darwins-dangerous-idea.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/daniel-dennett/darwins-dangerous-idea/i-f-you-want.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> The intellect longs for the delights of the non-intellect, that which is alive and beautiful dans sa stupidité.

[Thomas Mann](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-mann.md) · [Confessions of Felix Krull, Confidence Man](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-mann/confessions-of-felix-krull-confidence-man.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/thomas-mann/confessions-of-felix-krull-confidence-man/the-intellect-longs.md)

Topics: [beauty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/beauty.md), [stupidity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/stupidity.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Analysis as an instrument of enlightenment and civilization is good, in so far as it shatters absurd convictions, acts as a solvent upon natural prejudices, and undermines authority; good, in other words, in that it sets free, refines, humanizes, makes slaves ripe for freedom. But it is bad, very bad, in so far as it stands in the way of action, cannot shape the vital forces, maims life at its roots. Analysis can be a very unappetizing affair, as much so as death.

[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/analysis-as-an-instrument.md)

Topics: [freedom](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/freedom.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Human reason needs only to will more strongly than fate, and she is fate.

[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/human-reason-needs.md)

Topics: [fate](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fate.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> “I was ordained,” said the preacher. “No one ordains artists. They ordain themselves.”
>
> Just as Taleswapper had expected. The preacher retreated to authority as soon as he feared his ideas could not stand on their own merit. Reasonable argument was impossible when authority became the arbiter.

[Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [Seventh Son](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/seventh-son.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/seventh-son/i-was-ordained.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [authority figures](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/authority-figures.md)

> “I've done my best, but the boy is unteachable. He doubts everything, and contests each point of theology as if it were required to meet the same tests of logic and consistency that prevail in the world of science.”
>
> “In other words, he expects your doctrines to make sense.”
>
> “He is unwilling to accept the idea that some things remain mysteries, comprehensible only to the mind of God. Ambiguity makes him saucy, and paradox causes open rebellion.”
>
> “An obnoxious child.”

[Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [Seventh Son](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/seventh-son.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/seventh-son/ive-done-my-best.md)

Topics: [humor](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/humor.md), [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Boys always argued as if they knew then had the forces of logic on their side, even when they were being completely irrational.

[Orson Scott Card](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card.md) · [Earthborn](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/earthborn.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/orson-scott-card/earthborn/boys-always-argued.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [masculinity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/masculinity.md)

> Religion, which should most distinguish us from the beasts, and ought most particularly elevate us, as rational creatures, above brutes, is that wherein men often appear most irrational, and more senseless than beasts.

[John Locke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-locke.md) · [An Essay Concerning Human Understanding](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-locke/an-essay-concerning-human-understanding.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-locke/an-essay-concerning-human-understanding/religion-which-should.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> There cannot any one moral Rule be propos'd, whereof a Man may not justly demand a Reason.

[John Locke](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-locke.md) · [An Essay Concerning Human Understanding](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-locke/an-essay-concerning-human-understanding.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/john-locke/an-essay-concerning-human-understanding/there-cannot-any.md)

Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> The single greatest world transformation would simply be the embrace of global reasonableness and pluralistic tolerance—the global embrace of egoic-rationality (on the way to centauric vision-logic).

[Ken Wilber](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ken-wilber.md) · [Sex, Ecology, Spirituality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ken-wilber/sex-ecology-spirituality.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ken-wilber/sex-ecology-spirituality/the-single-greatest.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [tolerance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/tolerance.md)

> Definitions are the guardians of rationality, the first line of defense against the chaos of mental disintegration.

[Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [The Romantic Manifesto](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/the-romantic-manifesto.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/the-romantic-manifesto/definitions-are-the.md)

Topics: [language](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/language.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Neither life nor happiness can be achieved by the pursuit of irrational whims. Just as man is free to attempt to survive by any random means, as a parasite, a moocher or a looter, but not free to succeed at it beyond the range of the moment—so he is free to seek his happiness in any irrational fraud, any whim, any delusion, any mindless escape from reality, but not free to succeed at it beyond the range of the moment nor to escape the consequences.

[Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [The Virtue of Selfishness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/the-virtue-of-selfishness.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/the-virtue-of-selfishness/neither-life-nor.md)

Topics: [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> The men who attempt to survive, not by means of reason, but by means of force, are attempting to survive by the method of animals.

[Ayn Rand](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand.md) · [The Virtue of Selfishness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/the-virtue-of-selfishness.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/ayn-rand/the-virtue-of-selfishness/the-men-who.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [violence](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/violence.md)

> There should be no combination of events for which the wit of man cannot conceive an explanation.

[Arthur Conan Doyle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle.md) · [The Valley of Fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/the-valley-of-fear.md) · p. 802 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/the-valley-of-fear/there-should-be-no-combination.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> I fear that if the matter is beyond humanity it is certainly beyond me. Yet we must exhaust all natural explanations before we fall back upon such a theory as this.

[Arthur Conan Doyle](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle.md) · [His Last Bow](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/his-last-bow.md) · p. 958 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/arthur-conan-doyle/his-last-bow/i-fear-that.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [secrets](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/secrets.md)

> Unlike the masses, intellectuals have a taste for rationality and an interest in facts.

[Aldous Huxley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley.md) · [Brave New World Revisited](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley/brave-new-world-revisited.md) · p. 43 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley/brave-new-world-revisited/unlike-the-masses.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [intellectuals](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/intellectuals.md)

> The course of every intellectual, if he pursues his journey long and unflinchingly enough, ends in the obvious, from which the non-intellectuals have never stirred. ...The thoroughly contemptible man may have valuable opinions, just as in some ways the admirable man can have detestable opinions. ...Many intellectuals, of course, don't get far enough to reach the obvious again. They remain stuck in a pathetic belief in rationalism and the absolute supremacy of mental values and the entirely conscious will. You've got to go further than the nineteenth-century fellows, for example; as far at least as Protagoras and Pyrrho, before you get back to the obvious in which the nonintellectuals have always remained. ...these nonintellectuals aren't the modern canaille who read the picture papers and... are preoccupied with making money... They take the main intellectualist axiom for granted—that there's an intrinsic superiority in mental, conscious, voluntary life over physical, intuitive, instinctive, emotional life. The whole of modern civilization is based on the idea that the specialized function which gives a man his place in society is more important than the whole man, or rather is the whole man, all the rest being irrelevant or even (since the physical, intuitive, instinctive and emotional part of man doesn't contribute appreciably to making money or getting on in an industrialized world) positively harmful and detestable. ...The nonintellectuals I'm thinking of are very different beings. ...There were probably quite a lot of them three thousand years ago. But the combined efforts of Plato and Aristotle, Jesus, Newton and big business have turned their descendants into the modern bourgeoisie and proletariat. The obvious that the intellectual gets back to, if he goes far enough, isn't of course the same as the obvious of the nonintellectuals. For their obvious is life itself and his recovered obvious is only the idea of that life. Not many can put flesh and blood on the idea and turn it into reality. The intellectuals who, like Rampion, don't have to return to the obvious, but have always believed in it and lived it, while at the same time leading the life of the spirit, are rarer still.

[Aldous Huxley](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley.md) · [Point Counter Point](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley/point-counter-point.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/aldous-huxley/point-counter-point/the-course-of-every.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [intellectuals](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/intellectuals.md)

> “’Reason is the first victim of strong emotion.’”

[Frank Herbert](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert.md) · [Dune Messiah](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune-messiah.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/frank-herbert/dune-messiah/reason-is-the.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> A rush of wind comes furiously now, down from the mountaintop. "The ancient Greeks," I say, "who were the inventors of classical reason, knew better than to use it exclusively to foretell the future. They listened to the wind and predicted the future from that. That sounds insane now. But why should the inventors of reason sound insane?"

[Robert M. Pirsig](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig.md) · [Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance/a-rush-of-wind.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [madness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/madness.md)

> Talk about rationality can get very confusing unless the things with which rationality deals are also included.

[Robert M. Pirsig](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig.md) · [Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance/talk-about-rationality.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> I think present-day reason is an analogue of the flat earth of the medieval period. If you go too far beyond it you're presumed to fall off, into insanity. And people are very much afraid of that. I think this fear of insanity is comparable to the fear people once had of falling off the edge of the world. Or the fear of heretics. There's a very close analogue there.

[Robert M. Pirsig](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig.md) · [Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance/i-think-present-day.md)

Topics: [fear](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [madness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/madness.md)

> What's happening is that each year our old flat earth of conventional reason becomes less and less adequate to handle the experiences we have and this is creating widespread feelings of topsy-turviness. As a result we're getting more and more people in irrational areas of thought—occultism, mysticism, drug changes and the like—because they feel the inadequacy of classical reason to handle what they know are real experiences.

[Robert M. Pirsig](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig.md) · [Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance/whats-happening-is-that.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> The romantic mode is primarily inspirational, imaginative, creative, intuitive. Feelings rather than facts predominate. "Art" when it is opposed to "Science" is often romantic. It does not proceed by reason or by laws. It proceeds by feeling, intuition and esthetic conscience. In the northern European cultures the romantic mode is usually associated with femininity, but this is certainly not a necessary association.
>
> The classic mode, by contrast, proceeds by reason and by laws—which are themselves underlying forms of thought and behavior. In the European cultures it is primarily a masculine mode and the fields of science, law and medicine are unattractive to women largely for this reason. Although motorcycle riding is romantic, motorcycle maintenance is purely classic.

[Robert M. Pirsig](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig.md) · [Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/robert-m-pirsig/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance/the-romantic-mode.md)

Topics: [science](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/science.md), [art](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/art.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> It is astonishing in the face of such transparent evasions that this religion has any adherents at all. But religions are tough. Either they make no contentions which are subject to disproof or they quickly redesign doctrine after disproof. The fact that religions can be so shamelessly dishonest, so contemptuous of the intelligence of their adherents, and still flourish does not speak very well for the tough-mindedness of the believers. But it does indicate, if a demonstration were needed, that near the core of the religious experience is something remarkably resistant to rational inquiry.

[Carl Sagan](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan.md) · [Broca's Brain](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/brocas-brain.md) · p. 332 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/carl-sagan/brocas-brain/it-is-astonishing.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> I consider you the most honest and truthful of men, more honest and truthful than anyone; and if they say that your mind...that is, that you're sometimes afflicted in your mind, it's unjust. I made up my mind about that, and disputed with others, because, though you really are mentally afflicted (you won't be angry with that, of course; I'm speaking from a higher point of view), yet the mind that matters is better in you than in any of them. It's something, in fact, they have never dreamed of. For there are two sorts of mind: one that matters, and one that doesn't matter.

[Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky.md) · [The Idiot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-idiot.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-idiot/i-consider-you.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [integrity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/integrity.md)

> If not reason, then the devil.

[Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky.md) · [Crime And Punishment](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/crime-and-punishment.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/crime-and-punishment/if-not-reason.md)

Topics: [evil](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/evil.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> A fool with a heart and no sense is just as unhappy as a fool with sense and no heart.

[Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky.md) · [The Idiot](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-idiot.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/fyodor-dostoyevsky/the-idiot/a-fool-with.md)

Topics: [stupidity](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/stupidity.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> If reason (I mean abstract reason, derived from inquiries a priori) be not alike mute with regard to all questions concerning cause and effect, this sentence at least it will venture to pronounce, That a mental world, or universe of ideas, requires a cause as much, as does a material world, or universe of objects; and, if similar in its arrangement, must require a similar cause. For what is there in this subject, which should occasion a different conclusion or inference? In an abstract view, they are entirely alike; and no difficulty attends the one supposition, which is not common to both of them.

[David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/dialogues-concerning-natural-religion.md) · p. 91 — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/dialogues-concerning-natural-religion/if-reason-i-mean.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/philosophy.md)

> Afyer the union of philosophy with the popular religion, upon the first establishment of Christianity, nothing was more usual, among all religious teachers, than declarations against reason, against the senses, against every principle derived merely from human research and inquiry.

[David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/dialogues-concerning-natural-religion.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/dialogues-concerning-natural-religion/afyer-the-union.md)

Topics: [religion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/religion.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> We speak not strictly and philosophically when we talk of the combat of passion and of reason. Reason is, and ought only to be the slave of the passions, and can never pretend to any other office than to serve and obey them.

[David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [A Treatise of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature/we-speak-not.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [passion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/passion.md)

> Morals excite passions, and produce or prevent actions. Reason of itself is utterly impotent in this particular. The rules of morality, therefore, are not conclusions of our reason.

[David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [A Treatise of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature/morals-excite-passions.md)

Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> What may at first occur on this head, is, that as nothing can be contrary to truth or reason, except what has a reference to it, and as the judgments of our understanding only have this reference, it must follow, that passions can be contrary to reason only so far as they are accompany'd with some judgment or opinion. According to this principle, which is so obvious and natural, `tis only in two senses, that any affection can be call'd unreasonable. First, When a passion, such as hope or fear, grief or joy, despair or security, is founded on the supposition or the existence of objects, which really do not exist. Secondly, When in exerting any passion in action, we chuse means insufficient for the design'd end, and deceive ourselves in our judgment of causes and effects. Where a passion is neither founded on false suppositions, nor chuses means insufficient for the end, the understanding can neither justify nor condemn it. `Tis not contrary to reason to prefer the destruction of the whole world to the scratching of my finger. `Tis not contrary to reason for me to chuse my total ruin, to prevent the least uneasiness of an Indian or person wholly unknown to me. `Tis as little contrary to reason to prefer even my own acknowledge'd lesser good to my greater, and have a more ardent affection for the former than the latter. A trivial good may, from certain circumstances, produce a desire superior to what arises from the greatest and most valuable enjoyment; nor is there any thing more extraordinary in this, than in mechanics to see one pound weight raise up a hundred by the advantage of its situation. In short, a passion must be accompany'd with some false judgment. in order to its being unreasonable; and even then `tis not the passion, properly speaking, which is unreasonable, but the judgment.

[David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [A Treatise of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature/what-may-at-first.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [passion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/passion.md)

> Actions may be laudable or blameable; but they cannot be reasonable: Laudable or blameable, therefore, are not the same with reasonable or unreasonable. The merit and demerit of actions frequently contradict, and sometimes controul our natural propensities. But reason has no such influence. Moral distinctions, therefore, are not the offspring of reason. Reason is wholly inactive, and can never be the source of so active a principle as conscience, or a sense of morals.

[David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [A Treatise of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature/actions-may-be-laudable.md)

Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [conscience](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/conscience.md)

> Next to the ridicule of denying an evident truth, is that of taking much pains to defend it; and no truth appears to me more evident, than that beasts are endow'd with thought and reason as well as men. The arguments are in this case so obvious, that they never escape the most stupid and ignorant.

[David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [A Treatise of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature/next-to-the.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [animals](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/animals.md)

> [...] men are not astonish'd at the operations of their own reason, at the same time, that they admire the instinct of animals, and find a difficulty in explaining it, merely because it cannot be reduc'd to the very same principles. [...] reason is nothing but a wonderful and unintelligible instinct in our souls[.]

[David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [A Treatise of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature/men-are-not.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [instinct](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/instinct.md)

> This deficiency in our ideas is not, indeed, perceived in common life, nor are we sensible, that in the most usual conjunctions of cause and effect we are as ignorant of the ultimate principle, which binds them together, as in the most unusual and extraordinary. But this proceeds merely from an illusion of the imagination; and the question is, how far we ought to yield to these illusions. This question is very difficult, and reduces us to a very dangerous dilemma, whichever way we answer it. For if we assent to every trivial suggestion of the fancy; beside that these suggestions are often contrary to each other; they lead us into such errors, absurdities, and obscurities, that we must at last become asham'd of our credulity. Nothing is more dangerous to reason than the flights of the imagination, and nothing has been the occasion of more mistakes among philosophers. Men of bright fancies may in this respect be compar'd to those angels, whom the scripture represents as covering their eyes with their wings. This has already appear'd in so many instances, that we may spare ourselves the trouble of enlarging upon it any farther.

[David Hume](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume.md) · [A Treatise of Human Nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/david-hume/a-treatise-of-human-nature/this-deficiency-in-our.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [imagination](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/imagination.md), [illusions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/illusions.md)

> He will not be feted as a charming man, but every one will like him without knowing why; no one will praise his intellect, but every one will be ready to make him the judge between men of intellect; his own intelligence will be clear and limited, his mind will be accurate, and his judgment sane. As he never runs after new ideas, he cannot pride himself on his wit. I have convinced him that all wholesome ideas, ideas which are really useful to mankind, were among the earliest known, that in all times they have formed the true bonds of society, and that there is nothing left for ambitious minds but to seek distinction for themselves by means of ideas which are injurious and fatal to mankind.

[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/he-will-not.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [ideas](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/ideas.md)

> Emile is a man of common sense and he has no desire to be anything more; you may try in vain to insult him by applying this phrase to him; he will always consider it a title of honour.

[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/emile-is-a-man.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> How narrow-minded to see nothing in the rising desires of a young heart but obstacles to the teaching of reason. In my eyes, these are the right means to make him obedient to that very teaching. Only through passion can we gain the mastery over passions; their tyranny must be controlled by their legitimate power, and nature herself must furnish us with the means to control her.

[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/how-narrow-minded-to-see.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [passion](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/passion.md)

> There are moments in human life which can never be forgotten. Such is the time when Emile receives the instruction of which I have spoken; its influence should endure all his life through. Let us try to engrave it on his memory so that it may never fade away. It is one of the faults of our age to rely too much on cold reason, as if men were all mind. By neglecting the language of expression we have lost the most forcible mode of speech. The spoken word is always weak, and we speak to the heart rather through the eyes than the ears. In our attempt to appeal to reason only, we have reduced our precepts to words, we have not embodied them in deed. Mere reason is not active; occasionally she restrains, more rarely she stimulates, but she never does any great thing. Small minds have a mania for reasoning. Strong souls speak a very different language, and it is by this language that men are persuaded and driven to action.

[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/there-are-moments.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md), [words](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/words.md)

> The rule of habit is only good for feeble hearts, and it makes them more and more feeble day by day. The only useful habit for children is to be accustomed to submit without difficulty to necessity, and the only useful habit for man is to submit without difficulty to the rule of reason. Every other habit is a vice.

[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/the-rule-of-habit.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [habits](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/habits.md)

> "Reason with children" was Locke's chief maxim; it is in the height of fashion at present, and I hardly think it is justified by its results; those children who have been constantly reasoned with strike me as exceedingly silly. Of all man's faculties, reason, which is, so to speak, compounded of all the rest, is the last and choicest growth, and it is this you would use for the child's early training. To make a man reasonable is the coping stone of a good education, and yet you profess to train a child through his reason! You begin at the wrong end, you make the end the means. If children understood reason they would not need education, but by talking to them from their earliest age in a language they do not understand you accustom them to be satisfied with words, to question all that is said to them, to think themselves as wise as their teachers; you train them to be argumentative and rebellious; and whatever you think you gain from motives of reason, you really gain from greediness, fear, or vanity with which you are obliged to reinforce your reasoning.

[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/reason-with-children.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [upbringing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/upbringing.md)

> As the sentient being becomes active his discernment develops along with his strength. Not till his strength is in excess of what is needed for self-preservation, is the speculative faculty developed, the faculty adapted for using this superfluous strength for other purposes. Would you cultivate your pupil's intelligence, cultivate the strength it is meant to control. Give his body constant exercise, make it strong and healthy, in order to make him good and wise; let him work, let him do things, let him run and shout, let him be always on the go; make a man of him in strength, and he will soon be a man in reason.
>
> Speaking generally, there is nothing duller than a peasant or sharper than a savage. What is the cause of this difference? The peasant has always done as he was told, what his father did before him, what he himself has always done; he is the creature of habit, he spends his life almost like an automaton on the same tasks; habit and obedience have taken the place of reason. The case of the savage is very different; he is tied to no one place, he has no prescribed task, no superior to obey, he knows no law but his own will; he is therefore forced to reason at every step he takes. He can neither move nor walk without considering the consequences. Thus the more his body is exercised, the more alert is his mind; his strength and his reason increase together, and each helps to develop the other.

[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/as-the-sentient.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [upbringing](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/upbringing.md), [the body](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-body.md)

> It's asking a great deal that things should appeal to your reason as well as your sense of the aesthetic.

[William Somerset Maugham](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham.md) · [Of Human Bondage](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage.md) — [Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/william-somerset-maugham/of-human-bondage/its-asking-a-great.md)

Topics: [beauty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/beauty.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Reason perhaps teaches certain bourgeois virtues, but it does not make either heroes or saints.

[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/reason-perhaps-teaches.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [heroism](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/heroism.md), [holiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/holiness.md)

> I have spoken of the forceful sonnets of that tragic Portuguese, Antero de Quental, who died by his own hand. Feeling acutely for the plight of his country on the occasion of the British ultimatum in 1890, he wrote as follows: "An English statesman of the last century, who was also undoubtedly a perspicacious observer and a philosopher, Horace Walpole, said that for those who feel, life is a tragedy, and a comedy for those who think. Very well then, if we are destined to end tragically, we Portuguese, we who feel, we would rather prefer this terrible, but noble destiny to that which is reserved, and perhaps at no very remote future date, for England, the country that thinks and calculates, whose destiny it is to finish miserably and comically." …we twin-brothers of the Atlantic seaboard have always been distinguished by a certain pedantry of feeling, but there remains a basis of truth underlying this terrible idea — namely that some peoples, those who put thought above feeling, I should say reason above faith, die comically, while those die tragically who put faith above reason.

[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/i-have-spoken.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> Faith makes us live by showing us that life, although it is dependent upon reason, has its well spring and source of power elsewhere, in something supernatural and miraculous. Cournot the mathematician, a man of singularly well-balanced and scientifically equipped mind has said that it is this tendency towards the supernatural and miraculous that gives life, and that when it is lacking, all the speculations of reason lead to nothing but affliction of the spirit. ...And in truth we wish to live.

[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/faith-makes-us-live.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [miracles](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/miracles.md)

> Not by way of reason, but only by way of love and suffering, do we come to the living God, the human God. Reason rather separates us from Him. We cannot first know Him in order that afterward we may love Him; we must begin by loving Him, longing for Him, hungering after Him, before knowing Him. The knowledge of God proceeds from the love of God, and this love has little or nothing of the rational in it. For God is indefinable. To seek to define Him is to seek to confine Him within the limits of our mind — that is to say, to kill Him. In so far as we attempt to define Him, there rises up before us — Nothingness.

[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/not-by-way.md)

Topics: [love](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/love.md), [god](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/god.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Imagination, which is the social sense, animates the inanimate and anthropomorphizes everything; it humanizes everything and even makes everything identical with man. And the work of man is to supernaturalize Nature — that is to say, to make it divine by making it human, to help it to become conscious of itself, in short. The action of reason, on the other hand, is to mechanize or materialize.

[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/imagination-which-is-the.md)

Topics: [nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/nature.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [imagination](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/imagination.md)

> I do not understand these men who tell me that the prospect of the yonder side of death has never tormented them, that the thought of their own annihilation never disquiets them. For my part I do not wish to make peace between my heart and my head, between my faith and my reason — I wish rather that there should be war between them.

[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/i-do-not.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [fear of death](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/fear-of-death.md)

> Yes, I know well that others before me have felt what I feel and express; that many others feel it today, although they keep silence about it. ...And I do not keep silence about it because it is for many the thing which must not be spoken, the abomination of abominations — infandum — and I believe that it is necessary now and again to speak the thing which must not be spoken. ...Even if it should lead only to irritating the devotees of progress, those who believe that truth is consolation, it would lead to not a little. To irritating them and making them say: "Poor fellow! if he would only use his intelligence to better purpose!... Someone perhaps will add that I do not know what I say, to which I shall reply that perhaps he may be right — and being right is such a little thing! — but that I feel what I say and I know what I feel and that suffices me. And that it is better to be lacking in reason than to have too much of it.

[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/yes-i-know.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [honesty](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/honesty.md)

> The Catholic solution of our problem, of our unique vital problem, the problem of the immortality and eternal salvation of the soul, satisfies the will, and therefore satisfies life; but the attempt to rationalize it by means of a dogmatic theology fails to satisfy the reason. And reason has its exigencies as imperious as those of life. It is no use seeking to force ourselves to consider as super-rational what clearly appears to us to be contra-rational... Infallibility, a notion of Hellenic origin, is in its essence a rationalistic category.

[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-catholic-solution.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [the church](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-church.md), [theology](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/theology.md)

> And why be scandalized by the infallibility of a man, of the Pope? What difference does it make whether it be a book that is infallible — the Bible, or a society of men — the Church, or a single man? Does it make any essential change in the rational difficulty? And since the infallibility of a book or of a society of men is not more rational than that of a single man, this supreme offense to the eyes of reason has to be postulated.

[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/and-why-be-scandalized.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [the church](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/the-church.md)

> Faith feels itself secure neither with universal consent, nor with tradition, nor with authority. It seeks support of its enemy, reason.

[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/faith-feels-itself.md)

Topics: [faith](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/faith.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Absolute relativism, which is neither more nor less than skepticism, in the most modern sense of the term, is the supreme triumph of the reasoning reason.

[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/absolute-relativism-which.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> From whatever side the matter is regarded, it is always found that reason confronts our longing for personal immortality and contradicts it. And the truth is, in all strictness, that reason is the enemy of life.

[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/from-whatever-side.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [immortality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/immortality.md)

> To all this, someone is sure to object that life ought to subject itself to reason, to which we will reply that nobody ought to do what he is unable to do, and life cannot subject itself to reason. "Ought, therefore can," some Kantian will retort. To which we shall demur: "Cannot, therefore ought not." And life cannot submit itself to reason, because the end of life is living and not understanding.

[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/to-all-this.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Just as eunuchs will never know aesthetics as applied to the selection of beautiful women, so neither will pure rationalists ever know ethics, nor will they ever succeed in defining happiness, for happiness is a thing that is lived and felt, not a thing that is reasoned or defined.

[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/just-as-eunuchs.md)

Topics: [morality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/morality.md), [happiness](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/happiness.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Feeling does not succeed in converting consolation into truth, nor does reason succeed in converting truth into consolation.

[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/feeling-does-not.md)

Topics: [truth](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/truth.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Man is said to be a reasoning animal. I do not know why he has not been defined as an affective or feeling animal. Perhaps that which differentiates him from other animals is feeling rather than reason. More often I have seen a cat reason than laugh or weep. Perhaps it weeps or laughs inwardly — but then perhaps, also inwardly, the crab resolves equations of the second degree.

[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/man-is-said.md)

Topics: [human nature](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/human-nature.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [emotions](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/emotions.md)

> And he arrives at the cogito ergo sum, which St. Augustine had already anticipated... "I think therefore I am," can only mean "I think, therefore I am a thinker"; this being of "I am," which is deduced from "I think," is merely a knowing; this being is a knowledge, but not life. And the primary reality is not that I think, but that I live, for those also live who do not think. Although this living may not be a real living. God! what contradictions when we seek to join in wedlock life and reason!

[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/and-he-arrives.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/philosophy.md)

> Reason, that which we call reason, reflex and reflective knowledge, the distinguishing mark of man, is a social product.

[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/reason-that-which.md)

Topics: [society](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/society.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md)

> Hegel made famous his aphorism that all the rational is real and all the real rational; but there are many of us who, unconvinced by Hegel, continue to believe that the real, the really real, is irrational, that reason builds upon irrationalities. Hegel, a great framer of definitions, attempted with definitions to reconstruct the universe, like that artillery sergeant who said that cannon were made by taking a hole and enclosing it with steel.

[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/hegel-made-famous.md)

Topics: [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [reality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reality.md), [philosophy](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/philosophy.md)

> Yes perhaps, as the Sage says, "nothing worthy of proving can be proven, nor yet disproven"; but can we restrain that instinct which urges man to wish to know, and above all to wish to know the things which conduce to life, to eternal life? Eternal life, not eternal knowledge as the Alexandrian gnostic said. For living is one thing and knowing is another; and... perhaps there is an opposition between the two that we may say that everything vital is anti-rational, not merely irrational, and that everything rational is anti-vital. And this is the basis of the tragic sense of life.

[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/yes-perhaps-as-the.md)

Topics: [life](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/life.md), [reason](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/reason.md), [immortality](https://www.leafyquotes.com/topics/immortality.md)