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Arthur Schopenhauer Quotes - Page 3

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We will gradually become indifferent to what goes on in the minds of other people when we acquire a knowledge of the superficial nature of their thoughts, the narrowness of their views and of the number of their errors.

We will gradually become indifferent to what goes on in the minds of other people when we acquire a knowledge of the superficial nature of their thoughts, the narrowness of their views and of the number of their errors. Whoever attaches a lot of value to the opinions of others pays them too much honor.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Views, Numbers, Errors
Arthur Schopenhauer (2016). “101 Facts of life”, p.22, Publishdrive

We can regard our life as a uselessly disturbing episode in the blissful repose of nothingness.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Existentialism, Episodes, Regard
Arthur Schopenhauer, E. F. J. Payne (1974). “Parerga and Paralipomena: Short Philosophical Essays”, p.299, Oxford University Press

Without books the development of civilization would have been impossible. They are the engines of change, windows on the world, "Lighthouses" as the poet said "erected in the sea of time." They are companions, teachers, magicians, bankers of the treasures of the mind, Books are humanity in print.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Change, Teacher, Book
Arthur Schopenhauer (2016). “101 Facts of life”, p.28, Publishdrive

Rudeness is better than any argument; it totally eclipses intellect.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Argument, Rudeness, Eclipse
Arthur Schopenhauer (2007). “Parerga and Paralipomena: A Collection of Philosophical Essays”, p.75, Cosimo, Inc.

Men are a thousand times more intent on becoming rich than on acquiring culture, though it is quite certain that what a man IS contributes more to his happiness than what he HAS.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Men, Culture, Becoming
Arthur Schopenhauer (2015). “the Wisdom of Life: Top of Schopenhauer”, p.7, 谷月社

The tallest oak tree once was an acorn that any pig could have swallowed.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Life, Pigs, Tree

We seldom speak of what we have but often of what we lack.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Speak

The real meaning of persona is a mask, such as actors were accustomed to wear on the ancient stage; and it is quite true that no one shows himself as he is, but wears his mask and plays his part. Indeed, the whole of our social arrangements may be likened to a perpetual comedy; and this is why a man who is worth anything finds society so insipid, while a blockhead is quite at home in it.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Real, Home, Men
Arthur Schopenhauer (2015). “Studies in Pessimism: Top of Schopenhauer”, p.23, 谷月社

A man can be himself only so long as he is alone.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Being Alone, Men, Alone Man
Arthur Schopenhauer (2015). “Counsels and Maxims: Top of Schopenhauer”, p.19, 谷月社

I know of no more beautiful prayer than that which the Hindus of old used in closing: May all that have life be delivered from suffering.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Beautiful, Prayer, Suffering

A man of genius can hardly be sociable, for what dialogues could indeed be so intelligent and entertaining as his own monologues?

Arthur Schopenhauer
Intelligent, Men, Genius
Arthur Schopenhauer (1988). “Manuscript Remains in Four Volumes: Berlin manuscripts (1818-1830)”, Berg Publishers

The assumption that animals are without rights, and the illusion that our treatment of them has no moral significance, is a positively outrageous example of Western crudity and barbarity. Universal compassion is the only guarantee of morality.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Positive, Philosophical, Compassion
Arthur Schopenhauer (2016). “101 Facts of life”, p.8, Publishdrive

It is a clear gain to sacrifice pleasure in order to avoid pain.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Inspirational, Pain, Philosophical

The fruits of Christianity were religious wars, butcheries, crusades, inquisitions, extermination of the natives of America, and the introduction of African slaves in their place.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Religious, War, Native American
Arthur Schopenhauer (2016). “Religion”, p.55, Arthur Schopenhauer

If children were brought into the world by an act of pure reason alone, would the human race continue to exist? Would not a man rather have so much sympathy with the coming generation as to spare it the burden of existence, or at any rate not take it upon himself to impose that burden upon it in cold blood?

Arthur Schopenhauer
Children, Men, Race
Arthur Schopenhauer (2012). “Collected Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer”, p.216, Simon and Schuster

A happy life is impos­si­ble; the best that a man can attain is a heroic life.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Happy Life, Men, Heroic
Arthur Schopenhauer, E. F. J. Payne (1974). “Parerga and Paralipomena: Short Philosophical Essays”, p.322, Oxford University Press

Human existence is an error...it is bad today and every day it gets worse, until the worst happens.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Depressing, Errors, Today

Pleasure is never as pleasant as we expected it to be and pain is always more painful. The pain in the world always outweighs the pleasure. If you don't believe it, compare the respective feelings of two animals, one of which is eating the other.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Pain, Believe, Animal
Arthur Schopenhauer (2016). “101 Facts of life”, p.52, Publishdrive

Compassion is the basis of morality.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Forgiveness, Wise, Ignorance

If God made the world, I would not be that God, for the misery of the world would break my heart.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Heart, World, Misery

Reading is equivalent to thinking with someone else's head instead of with one's own.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Philosophical, Reading, Thinking
Arthur Schopenhauer, E. F. J. Payne (1974). “Parerga and Paralipomena: Short Philosophical Essays”, p.494, Oxford University Press

It is difficult to keep quiet if you have nothing to do

Arthur Schopenhauer
Keeping Quiet, Quiet, Difficult
Arthur Schopenhauer (2015). “Counsels and Maxims”, p.31, Arthur Schopenhauer

With health, everything is a source of pleasure; without it, nothing else, whatever it may be, is enjoyable...Healt h is by far the most important element in human happiness.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Important, Elements, May

The little incidents and accidents of every day fill us with emotion, anxiety, annoyance, passion, as long as they are close to us, when they appear so big, so important, so serious; but as soon as they are borne down the restless stream of time they lose what significance they had; we think no more of them and soon forget them altogether. They were big only because they were near.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Passion, Thinking, Long
Arthur Schopenhauer (1902*). “Essays of Arthur Schopenhauer: selected and translated by T. Bailey Saunders”

Religions are like fireflies. They require darkness in order to shine.

Arthur Schopenhauer
Spiritual, Atheist, Firefly

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