Rene Descartes Quotes - Page 2

Truths are more likely to be discovered by one man than by a nation

Common sense is the most widely shared commodity in the world, for every man is convinced that he is well supplied with it.

To live without philosophizing is in truth the same as keeping the eyes closed without attempting to open them.

Each problem that I solved became a rule, which served afterwards to solve other problems.

Mathematics is a more powerful instrument of knowledge than any other that has been bequeathed to us by human agency.

It is possible that I am dreaming right now and that all of my perceptions are false.

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the self-same well from which your laughter rises was often-times filled with your tears.

Desire awakens only to things that are thought possible.

Except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in our power.

There is nothing more ancient than the truth.

In order to improve the mind, we ought less to learn, than to contemplate.

We never understand a thing so well,and make it our own, as when we have discovered it for ourselves.

He who hid well, lived well.

All is to be doubted.

Every man is indeed bound to do what he can to promote the good of others, and a man who is of no use to anyone is strictly worthless.

Bad books engender bad habits, but bad habits engender good books.

I was convinced that our beliefs are based much more on custom and example than on any certain knowledge.

If I simply refrain from making a judgment in cases where I do not perceive the truth with sufficient clarity and distinctness, then it is clear that I am behaving correctly and avoiding error.

The senses deceive from time to time, and it is prudent never to trust wholly those who have deceived us even once.

God alone is the author of all the motions in the world.

I desire to live in peace and to continue the life I have begun under the motto 'to live well you must live unseen

Perfect numbers like perfect men are very rare.

For to be possessed of a vigorous mind is not enough; the prime requisite is rightly to apply it.

Travelling is almost like talking with those of other centuries.

I am indeed amazed when I consider how weak my mind is and how prone to error.