Quote

We are not only gregarious animals, liking to be in sight of our fellows, but we have an innate propensity to get ourselves noticed, and noticed favorably, by our kind.

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
Noticed
Fellows
Animals
Sight
Favorably
Animal
Gregarious
Society
Propensity
Kind
Liking
Innate

More quotes by William James

Image
...These healers...my intellect has been unable to assimilate their theories....But their facts are patent and startling and anything that interferes with the multiplication of such facts, and with our freest opportunity of observing and studying them, will, I believe, be a public calamity.
William James
Image
We are stereotyped creatures, imitators and copiers of our past selves.
William James
Image
Serious development of the personality begins at the closet door.
William James
Image
There can be no difference anywhere that does not make a difference somewhere.
William James
Image
A man of sense is never discouraged by difficulties he redoubles his industry and his diligence, he perseveres and infallibly prevails at last.
William James
Image
Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which comes the inner voice which says, 'This is the real me,' and when you have found that attitude, follow it.
William James
Image
Pessimism leads to weakness. Optimism leads to power.
William James
Image
The total possible consciousness may be split into parts which co-exist but mutually ignore each other.
William James
Image
An impression which simply flows in at the pupil's eyes or ears and in no way modifies his active life, is an impression gone to waste. It is physiologically incomplete... Its motor consequences are what clinch it.
William James
Image
The perfection of rottenness.
William James
Image
As long as there are postmen, life will have zest.
William James
Image
I am tired of the position of the dried-up critic and doubter. The believer is the true full man. (from a biography of James by Robert D. Richardson)
William James
Image
All the daily routine of life, our dressing and undressing, the coming and going from our work or carrying through of its various operations, is utterly without mental reference to pleasure and pain, except under rarely realized conditions.
William James
Image
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
Image
A purely disembodied human emotion is a nonentity.
William James
Image
To some of us the thought of God is like a sort of quiet music playing in the background of the mind.
William James
Image
As a rule we disbelieve all the facts and theories for which we have no use.
William James
Image
Sobriety diminishes, discriminates, and says no drunkenness expands, unites, and says yes. Not through mere perversity do men run after it.
William James
Image
Our acts of voluntary attending, as brief and fitful as they are, are nevertheless momentous and critical, determining us, as they do, to higher or lower destinies.
William James
Image
We don't laugh because we're happy - we're happy because we laugh.
William James