Philosophy Quote by Iain Pears — Inspiring Words on Life, Love & Wisdom

“[T]he concern of man is not his future but his present, not the world but his soul. We must be just, we must strive, we must engage ourselves with the business of the world for our own sake, because through that, and through contemplation in equal measure, our soul is purified and brought closer to the divine. ... Thought and deed conjoined are crucial. ... The attempt must be made; the outcome is irrelevant. Right action is a pale material reflection of the divine, but reflection it is, nonetheless. Define your goal and exert reason to accomplish it by virtuous action; successs or failure is secondary.”

“She had lost herself in this old work, her personality dissolving into it, so that she had been set free. The immortality of the soul lies in its dissolution; this was the cryptic comment that so frustrated Olivier and which Julien had only ever grasped as evidence for the history of a particular school of thought. He had known all about its history, but Julia knew what it meant. He found the realization strangely reassuring.”

“Virtue comes through contemplation of the divine, and the exercise of philosophy. But it also comes through public service. The one is incomplete without the other. Power without wisdom is tyranny; wisdom without power is pointless.”

“I have brought peace to this land, and security," he began.”

“Olivier took a deep breath, then turned and bowed in farewell. Gersonides nodded in return, then thought of something.”

“As long as one believes in philosophy, one is healthy; sickness begins when one starts to think.”

“Whoever cannot seek the unforeseen sees nothing for the known way is an impasse.”

“Tell them a lie big enough, they'll worship you as a sage. Tell them a truth big enough and they'll mock you.”

“Today the aggressor is the shepherd of peace, and the beaten and hunted are the troublemakers of the world. What's more, there are whole races who believe it!”

“Sitting still is a pain in the ass.”

“I hope death will be a great happiness, a happiness as great as that of love, fulfilled love”