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C. E. M. Joad Quotes

There are those who feel an imperative need to believe, for whom the values of a belief are proportionate not to its truth, but to its definiteness. Incapable of either admitting the existence of contrary judgments or

There are those who feel an imperative need to believe, for whom the values of a belief are proportionate not to its truth, but to its definiteness. Incapable of either admitting the existence of contrary judgments or of suspending their own, they supply the place of knowledge by turning other men's conjectures into dogmas.

C. E. M. Joad
Believe, Men, Atheism

It has been left to our generation to discover that you can move heaven and earth to save five minutes and then not have the faintest idea what to do with them when you have saved them.

C. E. M. Joad
Moving, Our Generation, Ideas

It all depends what you mean by.

C. E. M. Joad
Mean, Atheism, Depends
Answering questions on 'The Brains Trust' (formerly 'Any Questions'), BBC radio (1941-8)

My life is spent in perpetual alternation between two rhythms, the rhythm of attracting people for fear I may be lonely and the rhythm of trying to get rid of them because I know that I am bored.

C. E. M. Joad
Lonely, Being Alone, Two
In Observer 12 Dec. 1948, p. 2

The secret of successful journalism is to make your readers so angry they will write half your paper for you.

C. E. M. Joad
Writing, Successful, Secret

There was never an age in which useless knowledge was more important than in our own.

C. E. M. Joad
Knowledge, Important, Age

In the most civilized and progressive countries freedom of discussion is recognized as a fundamental principle.

C. E. M. Joad
Country, Civilization, Principles

War provides an outlet for every evil element in man's nature. It enfranchises cupidity and greed gives a charter to petty tyranny, glorifies cruelty and places in positions of power the vulgar and base.

C. E. M. Joad
War, Men, Position Of Power

Some turn to vinegar, but the best improve with age.

C. E. M. Joad
Birthday, Wine, Turning 50

A man's style should be like his dress. It should be as unobtrusive and should attract as little attention as possible.

C. E. M. Joad
Men, Style, Dresses

A good soul like a good body should be as unobtrusive as possible; in so far as it functions properly, it should not be noticed for good or for ill.

C. E. M. Joad
Soul, Body, Should

Conscience was the barmaid of the Victorian soul. Recognizing that human beings were fallible and that their failings, though regrettable, must be humored, conscience would permit, rather ungraciously perhaps, the indulgence of a number of carefully selected desires.

C. E. M. Joad
Numbers, Soul, Desire

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