Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.
Interpretation
Embrace unique opinions; they may lead to important changes in thought.
This quote by Bertrand Russell encourages individuals to embrace their eccentric opinions. It highlights that many of the ideas and beliefs we hold today were once considered strange or unconventional, suggesting that innovation and progress often stem from thinking differently and challenging the status quo. By not fearing eccentricity, individuals can contribute to the evolution of thought and understanding in society.
In practice
In a speech advocating for creativity in the workplace.
St. Paul introduced an entirely novel view of marriage, that it existed primarily to prevent the sin of fornication. It is just as if one were to maintain that the sole reason for baking bread is to prevent people from stealing cake.
Freedom comes only to those who no longer ask of life that it shall yield them any of those personal goods that are subject to the mutations of time.
Of these austerer virtues the love of truth is the chief, and in mathematics, more than elsewhere, the love of truth may find encouragement for waning faith. Every great study is not only an end in itself, but also a means of creating and sustaining a lofty habit of mind; and this purpose should be kept always in view throughout the teaching and learning of mathematics.
At all times, except when a monarch could enforce his will, war has been facilitated by the fact that vigorous males, confident of victory, enjoyed it, while their females admired them for their prowess.
Moreover, the attitude that one ought to believe such and such a proposition, independently of the question whether there is evidence in its favor, is an attitude which produces hostility to evidence and causes us to close our minds to every fact that does not suit our prejudices.
Extreme hopes are born from extreme misery.
He who sees a need and waits to be asked for help is as unkind as if he had refused it.
To believe and to understand are not diverse things, but the same things in different periods of growth.
When the enemy's envoy's speak in humble terms, but continues his preparations, he will advance. When their language is deceptive but the enemy pretentiously advances, he will retreat. When the envoys speak in apologetic terms, he wishes a respite. When without a previous understanding the enemy asks for a truce, he is plotting. When the enemy sees an advantage but does not advance to seize it, he is fatigued.
Security isn't what the wise person looks for - it's opportunity.
Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight.
Of the billionaires I have known, money just brings out the basic traits in them. If they were jerks before they had money, they are simply jerks with a billion dollars.
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