Quote

Underneath all civilization, ancient or modern, moved and still moves a sea of magic, superstition, and sorcery. Perhaps they will remain when the works of our reason have passed away.

Will Durant

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Will Durant
Age: 96 †
Born: 1885
Born: November 5
Died: 1981
Died: November 7
Historian
Philosopher
Writer
North Adams
Massachusetts
William James Will Durant
William James Durant
Reason
Works
Superstitions
Magic
Moves
Perhaps
Passed
Modern
Ancient
Moving
Remain
Away
Sea
Sorcery
Stills
Moved
Superstition
Still
Civilization
Underneath

More quotes by Will Durant

Image
Inquiry is fatal to certainty.
Will Durant
Image
Bankers know that history is inflationary and that money is the last thing a wise man will hoard
Will Durant
Image
The victors called the revolution a triumph of liberty but now and then liberty in the slogans of the strong means freedom from restraint in the exploitation of the weak.
Will Durant
Image
Man is an emotional animal, occasionally rational and through his feelings he can be deceived to his heart's content.
Will Durant
Image
As long as there is poverty there will be gods.
Will Durant
Image
Fundamentalism is the triumph of Paul over Christ.
Will Durant
Image
Continue to express your dissent and your needs, but remember to remain civilized, for you will sorely miss civilization if it is sacrified in the turbulence of change.
Will Durant
Image
India will teach us the tolerance and gentleness of mature mind, understanding spirit and a unifying, pacifying love for all human beings.
Will Durant
Image
Civilization is the order and freedom is promoting cultural activity.
Will Durant
Image
I feel for all faiths the warm sympathy of one who has come to learn that even the trust in reason is a precarious faith, and that we are all fragments of darkness groping for the sun. I know no more about the ultimates than the simplest urchin in the streets.
Will Durant
Image
Power dements even more than it corrupts, lowering the guard of foresight and raising the haste of action.
Will Durant
Image
Every state begins in compulsion but the habits of obedience become the content of conscience, and soon every citizen thrills with loyalty to the flag. The citizen is right for however the state begins, it soon becomes an indispensable prop to order.
Will Durant
Image
A cat has a reputation to protect. If it had a halo, it would be worn cocked to one side.
Will Durant
Image
History offers some consolation by reminding us that sin has flourished in every age.
Will Durant
Image
If we have never been amazed by the very fact that we exist, we are squandering the greatest fact of all.
Will Durant
Image
Science gives us knowledge, but only philosophy can give us wisdom.
Will Durant
Image
Those who have suffered much become very bitter or very gentle.
Will Durant
Image
The South creates the civilizations, the North conquers them, ruins them, borrows from them, spreads them: this is one summary of history.
Will Durant
Image
To speak ill of others is a dishonest way of praising ourselves let us be above such transparent egotism. If you can't say good and encouraging things, say nothing. Nothing is often a good thing to do, and always a clever thing to say.
Will Durant
Image
Civilization begins with order, grows with liberty, and dies with chaos.
Will Durant