Quote

Men's activities are occupied into ways -- in grappling with external circumstances and in striving to set things at one in their own topsy-turvy mind.

William James

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

William James
Age: 68 †
Born: 1842
Born: January 11
Died: 1910
Died: August 26
Philosopher
Physician
Psychologist
University Teacher
W. James
Way
Striving
Things
Activities
Men
External
Strive
Activity
Turvy
Circumstances
Topsy
Ways
Grappling
Mind
Occupied

More quotes by William James

Image
Faith means belief in something concerning which doubt is still theoretically possible ... faith is the readiness to act in a cause the prosperous issue of which is not certified to us in advance.
William James
Image
We want all our friends to tell us our bad qualities it is only the particular ass that does so whom we can't tolerate.
William James
Image
The attitude of unhappiness is not only painful, it is mean and ugly.
William James
Image
Of all the beautiful truths pertaining to the soul None is more gladdening or fruitful than to know You can regenerate and make yourself what you will.
William James
Image
If you give appreciation to people, you win their goodwill.
William James
Image
I know that you, ladies and gentlemen, have a philosophy, each and all of you, and that the most interesting and important thing about you is the way in which it determines the perspective in your several worlds.
William James
Image
Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.
William James
Image
The world we see that seems so insane is the result of a belief system that is not working. To perceive the world differently, we must be willing to change our belief system, let the past slip away, expand our sense of now, and dissolve the fear in our minds.
William James
Image
All religions begin with the cry Help.
William James
Image
With no attempt there can be no failure with no failure no humiliation.
William James
Image
An idea will infect another with its own emotional interest when they have become both associated together into any sort of a mental total.
William James
Image
There is a voice inside which speaks and says, This is the real me!
William James
Image
Truth is what will be steadily borne out by subsequent experience
William James
Image
Philosophy is at once the most sublime and the most trivial of human pursuits. It works in the minutest crannies and it opens outthe widest vistas. It 'bakes no bread', as has been said, but it can inspire our souls with courage.
William James
Image
The strenuous life tastes better
William James
Image
I am only a philosopher, and there is only one thing that a philosopher can be relied on to do, and that is, to contradict other philosophers.
William James
Image
The total possible consciousness may be split into parts which co-exist but mutually ignore each other.
William James
Image
The war against war is going to be no holiday excursion or camping party.
William James
Image
I have often thought the best way to define a man's character would be to seek out the particular mental or moral attitude in which, when it comes upon him, he felt himself most deeply and intensely active and alive. At such moments there is a voice inside which speaks and says: This is the real me!.
William James
Image
Believe that life is worth living and your belief will help create the fact.
William James