Ren� Descartes

France
31 Mar 1596 // 11 Feb 1650
Philosopher

Quotes

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An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?
I think, therefore I am
It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well
If you would be a real seeker after truth, you must at least once in your life doubt, as far as possible, all things
Each problem that I solved became a rule which served afterwards to solve other problems
When writing about transcendental issues, be transcendentally clear
When it is not in our power to determine what it true, we ought to follow what is most probable
To do is to be
The reading of all good books is like conversation with the finest men of past centuries
In order to improve the mind, we ought less to learn, than to contemplate
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On Anger: "For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind."
Essays
On Destiny: "Our destiny exercises its influence over us even when, as yet, we have not learned its nature: it is our future that lays down the law of our today."
Human, All Too Human
On Friendship: "A crowd is not company; and faces are but a gallery of pictures; and talk but a tinkling cymbal, where there is no love."
Essays