Quote

The states of consciousness are all that psychology needs to do her work with. Metaphysics or theology may prove the Soul to exist but for psychology the hypothesis of such a substantial principle of unity is superfluous.

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
Consciousness
Metaphysics
Principles
Hypothesis
States
Theology
May
Psychology
Soul
Unity
Needs
Principle
Work
Exist
Substantial
Prove
Superfluous

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The university most worthy of rational admiration is that one in which your lonely thinker can feel himself lonely, most positively furthered, and most richly fed
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The perfect stillness of the night was thrilled by a more solemn silence. The darkness held a presence that was all the more felt because it was not seen. I could not any more have doubted that HE was there than that I was. Indeed, I felt myself to be, if possible, the less real of the two.
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To give up pretensions is as blessed a relief as to get them ratified.
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Agisci come se quel che fai, facesse la differenza. La fa!
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The ultimate test of what a truth means is the conduct it dictates or inspires.
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Ninety-nine hundredths or, possibly, nine hundred and ninety-nine thousandths of our activity is purely automatic and habitual, from our rising in the morning to our lying down each night.
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We believe as much as we can. We would believe everything if we could.
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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.
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We do not sing because we are happy, we are happy because we sing.
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A difference which makes no difference is no difference at all.
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The lunatic's visions of horror are all drawn from the material of daily fact. Our civilization is founded on the shambles, and every individual existence goes out in a lonely spasm of helpless agony.
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'What would be better for us to believe!' This sounds very like a definition of truth
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The work that leads to a doctor's degree is a constant temptation to sacrifice one's growth as a man to one's growth as a specialist.
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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.
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We have to live today by what truth we can get today and be ready tomorrow to call it falsehood.
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It is as important to cultivate your silence power as your word power.
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Everybody should do at least two things each day that he hates to do, just for practice.
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Man alone of all the creatures of earth can change his own pattern. Man alone is the architect of his own destiny.
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I will act as if I do make a difference.
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