William James was an American philosopher and psychologist who lived from 1842 to 1910. He is considered to be one of the most influential thinkers of his time and his work has had a profound impact on both psychology and philosophy. Throughout his writing, James explored topics such as the nature of consciousness, free will, and the role of religion in society.
One aspect of James’ work that continues to resonate with readers today is his ability to express complex ideas in simple, memorable language. From pithy aphorisms to longer passages that capture his philosophical perspective, William James’ quotes are still widely shared and appreciated by scholars, students, and general readers alike.
About William James
William James was born in New York City and studied at Harvard University, where his father was also a professor. James is most famous for developing the philosophy of pragmatism, which emphasizes the practical consequences of beliefs and actions. He believed that ideas should be judged based on their usefulness rather than their truthfulness.
James also made significant contributions to psychology. He helped establish psychology as a scientific discipline by emphasizing the importance of observation and experimentation. His book, “The Principles of Psychology,” is considered a classic in the field and is still widely read today. In addition to his work in philosophy and psychology, James was also interested in religion and spirituality. He explored these topics in his book, “The Varieties of Religious Experience,” which examines different religious traditions from around the world.
Top William James Quotes
William James wrote extensively on a variety of topics related to human experience. His work has been celebrated for its insights into the nature of consciousness, free will, and morality. In particular, James’ quotes are often cited as powerful statements on philosophical and psychological concepts that remain relevant today. This article will explore some of William James’ most famous quotes and consider their significance in contemporary discourse.
“What the whole community comes to believe in grasps the individual as in a vise.”
“Every perception is an acquired perception.”
“To know is one thing, and to know for certain that we know is another one.”
“Genius, in truth, means little more than the faculty of perceiving in an unhabitual way.”
“‘Facts are the bounds of human knowledge, set for it, not by it.”
“Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.”
“If any organism fails to fulfill its potentialities, it becomes sick.”
“We don’t laugh because we’re happy – we’re happy because we laugh.”
“The community stagnates without the impulse of the individual; the impulse dies away without the sympathy of the community.”
Communities are the backbone of our society. We thrive when we come together to support each other, share ideas and work towards common goals. However, without the individual impulse to drive progress, communities can become stagnant and fail to evolve with changing times. When individuals are not encouraged to take risks, try new things, or challenge the status quo, communities can fall behind in terms of innovation and growth.
On the other hand, when individuals do step forward with new ideas and initiatives, they need the support and sympathy of their community to succeed. Without this backing, their efforts can go unnoticed or even be actively discouraged by those who fear change or failure. By embracing a culture of support for individual initiative within our communities, we create a space where everyone feels empowered to take risks and push boundaries in pursuit of progress – ultimately leading to a stronger society as a whole.
“Our science is a drop, our ignorance a sea.”
“Wherever you are it is your own friends who make your world.”
“It is as if the opposites of the world, whose contradictoriness and conflict make all our difficulties and troubles, were melted into unity.”
“It is only by risking our persons from one hour to another that we live at all.”
“Happiness comes of the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed. which give happiness.”
“The impulse to take life strivingly is indestructible in the race.”
“The best argument I know for an immortal life is the existence of a man who deserves one.”
“He who refuses to embrace a unique opportunity loses the prize as surely as if he had tried and failed.”
“This life is worth living, we can say, since it is what we make it.”
“We have grown literally afraid to be poor. “
“Tell him to live by yes and no – yes to everything good, no to everything bad.”
“The minute a man ceases to grow, no matter what his years, that minute he begins to be old.”
“There is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood by those who hear it.”
“We forget that every good that is worth possessing must be paid for in strokes of daily effort.”
“Success or failure depends more upon attitude than upon capacity.”
“Positive images of the future are a powerful and magnetic force.”
“Great emergencies and crises show us how much greater our vital resources are than we had supposed.”
“A winner’s attitude: it may be difficult, but it’s possible. A loser’s attitude: It may be possible, but it’s too difficult.”
“Men habitually use only a small part of the power which they actually possess.”
“There can be no existence of evil as a force to the healthy-minded individual.”
“Everybody should do at least two things each day that he hates to do, just for practice.”
“Successful men act as though they have accomplished or are enjoying something. Soon it becomes a reality.”
“Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.”
“Man lives in only one small room of the enormous house of his consciousness.”
“The total possible consciousness may be split into parts which co-exist but mutually ignore each other.”
“As the brain changes are continuous, so do all these consciousnesses melt into each other like dissolving views. Properly they are but one protracted consciousness, one unbroken stream.”
The concept of consciousness has fascinated scientists and philosophers for centuries. It has been defined as the state of being aware of one’s surroundings, thoughts, and emotions. However, recent studies have shown that consciousness is not a static entity but rather a dynamic process that is constantly changing. As the brain changes in response to external stimuli and internal processes, so too does consciousness.
This phenomenon can be seen in the way we experience different states of consciousness throughout the day such as wakefulness, sleep, and dreams. These changes are not abrupt but rather a continuous process that is influenced by various factors such as our environment, emotions, and physical sensations. In this sense, all these different states of consciousness can be thought of as melting into each other like dissolving views. They are not separate entities but rather part of a larger continuum that reflects the ever-changing nature of our brains and minds.
“This absolute determinability of our mind by abstractions is one of the cardinal facts in our human constitution.”
“Most unhappiness is caused because people listen to themselves… instead of talking to themselves.”
“You may not get everything you dream about, but you will never get anything you don’t dream about.”
“Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.”
“The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.”
“The mind is made up by what it feeds upon.”
“If you believe that feeling bad or worrying long enough will change a past or future event, then you are residing on another planet with a different reality system.”
“Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune.”
“Thoughts become perception, perception becomes reality. Alter your thoughts, alter your reality.”
“The greatest use of a life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.”
“Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task.”
“The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes.”
“The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.”
“We are like islands in the sea, separate on the surface but connected in the deep.”
“The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.”
“A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.”
“There is nothing so absurd that it cannot be believed as truth if repeated often enough.”
“The world is all the richer for having a devil in it, so long as we keep our foot upon his neck.”
“We are all ready to be savage in some cause. The difference between a good man and a bad one is the choice of the cause.”
“Why should we think upon things that are lovely? Because thinking determines life.”
“Act, look, feel successful, conduct yourself accordingly and you will be amazed at the positive results.”
“Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.”
Life is precious and full of opportunities, but sometimes fear can get in the way of truly living. It’s important to remember that fear is just an emotion and it doesn’t have to control our lives. Instead, we should focus on believing that life is worth living and that we can conquer our fears. When we believe in ourselves and our abilities, amazing things can happen. We become more confident and willing to take risks that lead us down new paths.
This belief in ourselves also affects those around us, inspiring them to do the same. So don’t be afraid of life – embrace it with open arms! Believe in your own worthiness and potential for greatness. Remember that every obstacle you face is a chance to learn and grow stronger. Life may throw challenges your way, but with the right mindset, you can overcome anything. Believe in yourself and let your positivity create a life worth living!
“How to gain, how to keep, how to recover happiness, is in fact for most men at all times the secret motive of all they do, and of all they are willing to endure.”
“We need only in cold blood act as if the thing in question were real, and keep acting as if it were real, and it will infallibly end by growing into such a connection with our life that it will become real.”
“Never suffer an exception to occur till the new habit is securely rooted in your life.”
“All the higher, more penetrating ideals are revolutionary. They present themselves far less in the guise of effects of past experience than in that of probable causes of future experience.”
“The emotions aren’t always immediately subject to reason, but they are always immediately subject to action.”
“Science as such assuredly has no authority, for she can only say what is, not what is not.”
“Philosophy is at once the most sublime and the most trivial of human pursuits.”
“It is wrong always, everywhere, and for everyone, to believe anything upon insufficient evidence.”
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Philosopher and Psychologist
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Let’s Wind Up…
William James was a brilliant philosopher and psychologist who left behind a legacy of insightful and thought-provoking quotes. His words continue to inspire people to this day, offering guidance on how to navigate the complexities of life. Whether you are struggling with self-doubt, seeking clarity in your relationships, or simply looking for inspiration, there is likely a William James quote that can provide you with the guidance you need. So take some time to explore his ideas and see how they might apply to your own life – who knows what kind of insights you might gain!