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Science as such assuredly has no authority, for she can only say what is, not what is not.

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
Assuredly
Accounts
Authority
Science

More quotes by William James

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As we take, in fact, a general view of the wonderful stream of our consciousness, what strikes us first is this different pace of its parts. Like a bird 's life, it seems to be made of an alternation of flights and perchings.
William James
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Mankind's common instinct for reality has always held the world to be essentially a theatre for heroism.
William James
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On pragmatistic principles, if the hypothesis of God works satisfactorily in the widest sense of the word, it is true.
William James
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Habit is the great flywheel of society.
William James
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To improve the golden moment of opportunity, and catch the good that is within our reach, is the great art of life.
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
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What holds attention determines action.
William James
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All our scientific and philosophic ideals are altars to unknown gods.
William James
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Man can change his life simply by changing his attitude.
William James
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The essence of genius is to know what to overlook.
William James
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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.
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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The soul is stronger than its surroundings.
William James
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The perfection of rottenness.
William James
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Modern war is so expensive that we feel trade to be a better avenue to plunder but modern man inherits all the innate pugnacity and all the love of glory of his ancestors.
William James
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No more fiendish punishment could be devised, were such a thing physically possible, than that one should be turned loose in society and remain absolutely unnoticed.
William James
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There is no worse lie than a truth misunderstood bu those who hear it.
William James
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... no bell in us tolls to let us know for certain when truth is in our grasp.
William James
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There is but one unconditional commandment ... to bring about the very largest total universe of good which we can see.
William James
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Let anyone try, I will not say to arrest, but to notice or to attend to, the present moment of time. One of the most baffling experiences occurs. Where is it, this present? It has melted in our grasp, fled ere we could touch it, gone in the instant of becoming.
William James