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Why may we not be in the universe, as our dogs and cats are in our drawingrooms and libraries?

William James

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William James
Age: 68 †
Born: 1842
Born: January 11
Died: 1910
Died: August 26
Philosopher
Physician
Psychologist
University Teacher
W. James
May
Libraries
Cats
Dogs
Cat
Library
Dog
Universe

More quotes by William James

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A great many people think they are thinking when they are merely rearranging their prejudices.
William James
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[Religion is] the attempt to be in harmony with an unseen order of things.
William James
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If you want a quality, act as if you already had it.
William James
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With no attempt there can be no failure with no failure no humiliation.
William James
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When once a decision is reached and execution is the order of the day, dismiss absolutely all responsibility and care about the outcome.
William James
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There must be something solemn, serious, and tender about any attitude which we denominate religious. If glad, it must not grin or snicker if sad, it must not scream or curse.
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The truth remains that, after adolescence has begun, words, words, words, must constitute a large part, and an always larger part as life advances, of what the human being has to learn.
William James
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Man's chief difference from the brutes lies in the exuberant excess of his subjective propensities. Prune his extravagance, sober him, and you undo him.
William James
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[Pragmatism's] only test of probable truth is what works best in the way of leading us, what fits every part of life best and combines with the collectivity of experience's demands, nothing being omitted.
William James
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If you wish to upset the law that all crows are black, you mustn't seek to show that no crows are it is enough if you prove one single crow to be white.
William James
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For morality life is a war, and the service of the highest is a sort of cosmic patriotism which also calls for volunteers.
William James
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But facts are facts, and if we only get enough of them theyare sure to combine.
William James
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This life is worth living, we can say, since it is what we make it.
William James
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Everything which is demanded is by that fact a good.
William James
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The more rational statement is that we feel sorry because we strike, afraid because we tremble, and not that we cry, strike, or tremble because we are sorry, angry, or fearful as the case may be.
William James
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Habit simplifies our movements, makes them accurate, and diminishes fatigue.
William James
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The difference between objective and subjective extension is one of relation to a context solely.
William James
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We can act as if there were a God feel as if we were free consider Nature as if she were full of special designs lay plans as if we were to be immortal and we find then that these words do make a genuine difference in our moral life.
William James
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The total possible consciousness may be split into parts which co-exist but mutually ignore each other.
William James
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My thinking is first and last and always for the sake of my doing, and I can only do one thing at a time.
William James