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40 Most Noteworthy Aristotle Quotes on Education

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Sculpture of the ancient Greek philosopher- Aristotle

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle valued education as an imperative to the holistic development of an individual. He considered education to be the only path to live a fulfilling life and become a satisfied human being. He expresses his ideas on education in his notable work On Education , to which we have access in a very fragmented fashion; only scraps of this work has survived. He believed that educators should possess a clear philosophy of life and emphasize deeply on the ethical and political. He also argued that the body, mind and soul of an individual require all-round, balanced development which is not just limited to the domains of academics. He also attempted a categorization of disciplines into theoretical, practical and technical. Aristotle formulated a dualistic approach to education that contains- dedication through reason and education through habit.

Table of Contents

Aristotle Quotes on Education

Quote from Aristotle about Excellence

  • “Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”
  • “It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.”
  • “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
  • “The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living from the dead.”
  • “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.”
  • “It is this simplicity that makes the uneducated more effective than the educated when addressing popular audiences—makes them, as the poets tell us, ‘charm the crowd’s ears more finely.’ Educated men lay down broad general principles; uneducated men argue from common knowledge and draw obvious conclusions.” 
  • “All who have meditated on the art of governing mankind have been convinced that the fate of empires depends on the education of youth.”
  • “No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness.”
  • “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives – choice, not chance, determines your destiny.”
  • “Those who educate children well are more to be honoured than they who produce them; for these only gave them life, those the art of living well.”
  • “Education is an ornament in prosperity and a refuge in adversity.”
  • “Education is the best provision for old age.”
  • “The best way to teach morality is to make it a habit with children.”
  • “The one exclusive sign of thorough knowledge is the power of teaching.”
  • “Wit is educated insolence.” 
  • “All men by nature desire knowledge.”
  • “The habits we form from childhood make no small difference, but rather they make all the difference.”
  • “We acquire a particular quality by acting in a particular way.”
  • “Since the whole city has one end, it is manifest that education should be one and the same for all, and that it should be public, and not private – not as at present, when every one looks after his own children separately, and gives them separate instruction of the sort which he thinks best; the training in things which are of common interest should be the same for all. Neither must we suppose that any one of the citizens belongs to himself, for they all belong to the state, and are each of them a part of the state, and the care of each part is inseparable from the care of the whole.”
  • “Our youth should also be educated with music and physical education.”
  • “Education and morals will be found almost the whole that goes to make a good man.”
  • “To learn is a natural pleasure, not confined to philosophers, but common to all men.”
  • “Anything that we have to learn to do we learn by the actual doing of it; People become builders by building and instrumentalists by playing instruments. Similarily, we become just by performing just acts, temperate by performing temperate ones, brave by performing brave ones.”
  • “It is evident, then, that there is a sort of education in which parents should train their sons, not as being useful or necessary, but because it is liberal or noble.”
  • “Education begins at the level of the learner.”
  • “Youth should be kept strangers to all that is bad, and especially to things which suggest vice or hate. When the five years have passed away, during the two following years they must look on at the pursuits which they are hereafter to learn. There are two periods of life with reference to which education has to be divided, from seven to the age of puberty, and onwards to the age of one and twenty.”
  • “Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach.”
  • “To write well, express yourself like the common people, but think like a wise man.”
  • “That education should be regulated by law and should be an affair of state is not to be denied, but what should be the character of this public education, and how young persons should be educated, are questions which remain to be considered. As things are, there is disagreement about the subjects. For mankind are by no means agreed about the things to be taught, whether we look to virtue or the best life. Neither is it clear whether education is more concerned with intellectual or with moral virtue.”
  • “Learning is not child’s play; we cannot learn without pain.”
  • “There are branches of learning and education which we must study merely with a view to leisure spent in intellectual activity, and these are to be valued for their own sake; whereas those kinds of knowledge which are useful in business are to be deemed necessary, and exist for the sake of other things.”
  • “The mathematical sciences particularly exhibit order symmetry and limitations, and these are the greatest forms of the beautiful.”
  • “The energy of the mind is the essence of life.”
  • “Life in accordance with intellect is best and pleasantest, since this, more than anything else, constitutes humanity.”
  • “Wise men speak when they have something to say, fools speak because they have to say something”
  • “Great men are always of a nature originally melancholy.”
  • “Through discipline comes freedom.”
  • “Memory is the scribe of the soul”
  • “Whatever lies within our power to do lies also within our power not to do.”
  • “If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development”

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Also Read: 12 Virtues of Aristotle

4 Cardinal Virtues- Aristotle and Plato

40 Best Immanuel Kant Quotes

10 Stoic Principles Simplified for you!

famous philosophers quotes about education

Damayanti Dubey is a final year English major at Loreto College, Kolkata. She is a writer by passion and loves to indulge in languages, especially English, Bengali, and Urdu. She aims at exploring all of their intricacies and nuances. Damayanti is a disciple of Padma Bhushan Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty and is a national scholar of Indian classical music. She has always believed that a sound mind, free from the clutches of regressive and negative thoughts is the key to living a healthy life and makes efforts to promote mental wellness through the power of her words.

Damayanti believes in thinking beyond boundaries.

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50 of the Best Quotes About Education

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Being an educator is not always the easiest job, but knowing you have made an impact on students’ lives can be so rewarding. Through all of the good times and bad, you continue to persevere and provide education to students of all backgrounds and abilities. We collected 50 of the best quotes about education to celebrate the best parts of teaching, learning, and the impact they have on the world.

Our Favorite Quotes About Education

“education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs only to the people who prepare for it today.” — malcolm x.

Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs only to the people who prepare for it today.

“Education is one thing no one can take away from you.” — Elin Nordegren

 “Education is one thing no one can take away from you.” —Elin Nordegren

“Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” — Malcolm Forbes

Quotes about education: “Education’s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one.” —Malcolm Forbes

“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” — Sydney J. Harris

“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” —Sydney J. Harris

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” — Abigail Adams

“Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” —Abigail Adams

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” — Benjamin Franklin

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” —Benjamin Franklin

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” — Nelson Mandela

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” —Nelson Mandela

“The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. … Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” — Martin Luther King Jr.

The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. ... Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.

“A person who won’t read has no advantage over a person who can’t read.” — Mark Twain

 “A person who won’t read has no advantage over a person who can’t read.” —Mark Twain

“Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.” — Unknown

Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.

“Education is the key to unlock a golden door of freedom.” — George Washington Carver

Quotes about education: “Education is the key to unlock a golden door of freedom.” —George Washington Carver

“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” — Herbert Spencer

“The great aim of education is not knowledge but action.” —Herbert Spencer

“The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth.” — John F. Kennedy

Quotes about education: “The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth.” —John F. Kennedy

“The great difficulty in education is to get experience out of ideas.” — George Santayana

“The great difficulty in education is to get experience out of ideas.” —George Santayana

“The roots of education … are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” — Aristotle

The roots of education ... are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.

“Education must not simply teach work, it must teach Life.” — W.E.B Du Bois

“Education must not simply teach work, it must teach Life.” —W.E.B Du Bois

“Education then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance-wheel of the social machinery.” — Horace Mann

“Education then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance-wheel of the social machinery.” —Horace Mann

“I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.” — Steve Irwin

Quotes about education: “I believe that education is all about being excited about something. Seeing passion and enthusiasm helps push an educational message.” —Steve Irwin

“Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system.” — Sidney Hook

“Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system.” —Sidney Hook

“All real education is the architecture of the soul.” — William Bennett

“All real education is the architecture of the soul.” —William Bennett

“Education is the key which will unlock the door of opportunity for you.” — Gordon B. Hinckley

Education is the key which will unlock the door of opportunity for you.

“I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” — Maya Angelou

Quotes about education: “I did then what I knew how to do. Now that I know better, I do better.” —Maya Angelou

“Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” — Bill Nye

“Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.” —Bill Nye

“The highest result of education is tolerance.” — Helen Keller

“The highest result of education is tolerance.” —Helen Keller

“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” — Aristotle

Quotes about education: “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” —Aristotle

“To teach is to learn twice.” — Joseph Joubert

“To teach is to learn twice.” —Joseph Joubert

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” — Plutarch

“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled.” —Plutarch

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” — Benjamin Franklin

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” —Benjamin Franklin

“Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” — Confucius

Quotes about education: “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.” —Confucius 

“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.” — Mark Van Doren

“The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery.” —Mark Van Doren

“Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” — Margaret Mead

Quotes about education: “Children must be taught how to think, not what to think.” —Margaret Mead

“Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” — Henry Ford

Quotes about education: “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” —Henry Ford

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” — Henry Brooks Adams

“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” —Henry Brooks Adams

“They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel.” — Carl W. Buehner

They may forget what you said but they will never forget how you made them feel.

“A good teacher must be able to put himself in the place of those who find learning hard.” — Eliphas Levi

“A good teacher must be able to put himself in the place of those who find learning hard.” —Eliphas Levi

“One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.” — Malala Yousafzai

One child, one teacher, one book, and one pen can change the world.

“Teachers are the one and only people who save nations.” — Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

“Teachers are the one and only people who save nations.” —Mustafa Kemal Atatürk

“Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is.” — Isaac Asimov

Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is.

“Real education must ultimately be limited to one who INSISTS on knowing, the rest is mere sheep-herding.” — Ezra Pound

Real education must ultimately be limited to one who INSISTS on knowing, the rest is mere sheep-herding.- Quotes About Education

“Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.” — Marian Wright Edelman

Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world better than you found it.

“It is only the ignorant who despise education.” — Publilius Syrus

It is only the ignorant who despise education.

“A writer should get as much education as possible, but just going to school is not enough; if it were, all owners of doctorates would be inspired writers.” — Gwendolyn Brooks

A writer should get as much education as possible, but just going to school is not enough; if it were, all owners of doctorates would be inspired writers.

“I do not want art for a few, any more than education for a few, or freedom for a few.” — William Morris

I do not want art for a few, any more than education for a few, or freedom for a few.- Quotes About Education

“Real education should educate us out of self into something far finer; into a selflessness which links us with all humanity.” — Nancy Astor

Real education should educate us out of self into something far finer; into a selflessness which links us with all humanity.

“It makes little difference how many university courses or degrees a person may own. If he cannot use words to move an idea from one point to another, his education is incomplete.” — Norman Cousins

It makes little difference how many university courses or degrees a person may own. If he cannot use words to move an idea from one point to another, his education is incomplete.

“The child who desires education will be bettered by it; the child who dislikes it disgraced.” — John Ruskin

The child who desires education will be bettered by it; the child who dislikes it disgraced.- Quotes About Education

“Education is our only political safety. Outside of this ark all is deluge.” — Horace Mann

Education is our only political safety. Outside of this ark all is deluge.

“Education is learning what you didn’t even know you didn’t know.” — Daniel J. Boorstin

Education is learning what you didn't even know you didn't know.

“Instruction ends in the schoolroom, but education ends only with life. A child is given to the universe to be educated.” — Frederick William Robertson

Instruction ends in the schoolroom, but education ends only with life. A child is given to the universe to be educated.- Quotes About Education

“Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. If we retrench the wages of the schoolmaster, we must raise those of the recruiting sergeant.” — Edward Everett

Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army. If we retrench the wages of the schoolmaster, we must raise those of the recruiting sergeant.

Like these quotes about education? Check out these team-building quotes for classrooms and schools .

Come share your favorite motivational quotes about education in the we are teachers helpline group on facebook .

Broaden your wisdom with these 50 quotes about education from celebrities, philosophers, artists, and other influential figures.

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10 quotes on education by great Greek Philosophers and teachers

We gathered the following exemplary short education quotes for students and teachers by philosophers of education (among others) which show in a concentrated way the insights that emerged from Greek philosophy about teaching and education.

10 ancient Greek quotes on education:

    1. education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel (socrates).

Socrates on education quote, education is the kindling of a flame

    2. I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think (Socrates)

Socrates on education, I can not teach anybody anything

    3. Educate the children and it won't be necessary to punish the men (Pythagoras)

Pythagoras on education, educate the children not to punish the man

    4. Only the educated are free (Epictetus)

Epictetus on education, the educated are free

     5. The happy man is the one with a healthy body, a wealthy soul and a well-educated nature (Thales)

Thales on education, the educated is happy

   6. Root of honesty and virtue lies in good education (Plutarch)

Plutarch on education, root of honesty and virtue

    7. There is nothing more divine than education. It is only through education that one truly becomes man (Plato)

Plato on education, education is devine

    8. The root of education is bitter, the fruit is sweet (Isocrates)

Isocrates on education - The fruit of education is sweet

    9. We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit (Aristotle)

Aristotle on education, excellence is a habit

    10.  Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all (Aristotle)

Aristotle on education, educate the mind and the heart

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14 Quotes from Einstein on Education (with Sources)

On Schooling:   ‘’It is nothing short of a miracle that modern methods of instruction have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry. ’’  [quoted in The New York Times , March 13 1949, p. 34].

On Imagination: ‘ ’Knowledge is limited.  Imagination encircles the world. ’’ [quoted in “What Life Means to Einstein: An Interview by George Sylvester Viereck” Saturday Evening Post , October 26th, 1929, p. 11].

On Love of Learning : ’I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious .’’ [quoted in Walter Isaacson, Einstein: His Life and Universe , p. 548].

On Creativity: ‘’It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.’ ‘ [quoted in Alice Calaprice, The Ultimate Quotable Einstein , p. 100].

On Play : “The desire to arrive finally at logically connected concepts is the emotional basis of a vague play with basic ideas. . . . . this combinatory or associative play seems to be the essential feature in productive thought.”   [quoted in Jacques Hadamard, An Essay on the Psychology of Invention in the Mathematical Field , Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 1945, p. 142].

On Curiosity : “The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existence. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery each day. Never lose a holy curiosity.’’  [quoted in, ‘’Death of a Genius–Old Man’s Advice to Youth: ‘Never Lose a Holy Curiosity,’’ Life Magazine 38, no. 18, (May 2, 1955): p. 64].

On Wonder: ”The most beautiful emotion we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead, a snuffled-out candle.”  [quoted in Walter Isaacson, Einstein: His Life and Universe , p. 387].

On Individuality:   ”The development of general ability for independent thinking and judgment should always be placed foremost, not the acquisition of special knowledge. . .”   [quoted in Albert Einstein, Ideas and Opinions , Broadway Books, p. 64].

On Neurodiversity : His son, Albert Einstein Jr. wrote: ” [Einstein] was . . . considered backward by his teachers. He told me that his teachers reported to his father that he was mentally slow, unsociable and adrift forever in his foolish dreams .” [quoted in Victor Goertzel and Mildred G. Goertzel, Cradles of Eminence, p. 248.

On Compassion:   ‘’ Our task must be to free ourselves from our prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all humanity and the whole of nature in its beauty .’’  [quoted in Walter Sullivan, ‘’The Einstein Papers: A Man of Many Parts,’’ The New York Times , March 29, 1972, p. 20].

On Care for Nature :  ” In every true searcher of Nature there is a kind of religious reverence .”  [quoted in The Ultimate Quotable Einstein , p. 32].

On Tolerance :  ‘’ Laws alone can not secure freedom of expression; in order that every man present his views without penalty there must be spirit of tolerance in the entire population. ’’ [quoted in The Ultimate Quotable Einstein , p. 297].

On Beauty:   ‘’ To sense that behind anything that can be experienced there is something that our minds cannot grasp, whose beauty and sublimity reaches us only indirectly; this is religiousness. In this sense, and in this sense only, I am a devoutly religious man .”  [quoted in Walter Isaacson, Einstein: His Life and Universe , p. 387].

On Education:   ‘’ The wit was not wrong who defined education in this way: ‘Education is that which remains, if one has forgotten everything he learned in school .’’ [quoted in Albert Einstein, Ideas and Opinions , p. 63].

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Famous Education and Teaching Quotes

Discover the Power of Education

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Education is the bedrock of social and economic development. Throughout history, philosophers like Aristotle and Plato recognized the importance of education. Use these famous education quotes to inspire others to follow the path of knowledge. It is only through education that we can hope to eradicate social evils.

Quotes About Formal Education

Some of the greatest thinkers believe that access to formal education is the key to equality and social justice. Many of those thinkers, including Horace Mann and Thomas Jefferson, founded schools and universities to provide the type of education they espoused. Here are some of their thoughts on formal education.

Horace Mann: "Education, then, beyond all other devices of human origin, is the great equalizer of the conditions of men, the balance-wheel of the social machinery."

Aristotle: "The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet."

Thomas Jefferson: "Bigotry is the disease of ignorance, of morbid minds; enthusiasm of the free and buoyant. Education and free discussion are the antidotes of both."

Benjamin Franklin: "Genius without education is like silver in the mine."

Helen Keller:  "The highest result of education is tolerance."

Victor Hugo: "He who opens a school door closes a prison."

Malala Yousafzai: “One child, one teacher, one book, one pen can change the world.” 

Nelson Mandela: "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

Quotes About Informal Learning

Many great thinkers believe that formal learning in a school setting is less valuable than experience and informal learning. Some even believe that formal education can slow down or warp the process of discovery and learning. Here are some of their thoughts.

Jim Rohn:  "Formal education will make you a living; self-education will make you a fortune."

Albert Einstein: " Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school."

Oscar Wilde:  "Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught."

Galileo Galilei:  "You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him find it within himself.” 

Quotes About Teachers and Teaching

Teaching has always been considered one of the most important professions. Over time, the actual day-to-day experience of teaching and learning has changed. The basic purpose and outcome, however, remain the same.

C. S. Lewis: "The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles but to irrigate deserts."

Henry Brooks Adams: "A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops."

Ralph Waldo Emerson:  "The secret in education lies in respecting the student."

William Arthur Ward: “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.” 

Nikos Kazantzakis: “True teachers are those who use themselves as bridges over which they invite their students to cross; then, having facilitated their crossing, joyfully collapse, encouraging them to create their own.” 

Aristotle: “Those who know, do. Those that understand, teach.” 

Henry Brooks Adams: "Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops."

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Aristotle Quotes on Education: Wisdom for Enlightened Learning

Aristotle, one of the greatest philosophers of all time, left behind a treasure trove of wisdom on various subjects, including education. His thoughts and quotes on the topic provide valuable insights that are still relevant today. In this article, we will dive deep into Aristotle’s philosophy of education and explore how his ideas can enlighten our own learning journeys.

Understanding Aristotle’s Philosophy

Aristotle, one of the greatest philosophers of all time, had a profound understanding of the importance of education in the development of an individual. For him, education was not simply about acquiring knowledge; it was about nurturing virtue and character, shaping individuals into the best versions of themselves. Aristotle saw education as a means to uncover our true potential and pursue a meaningful life.

Delving deeper into Aristotle’s philosophy, we find that education played a central role in his thought. It was not just a process of imparting information; it was about shaping the whole person, cultivating their moral and intellectual virtues. Aristotle believed that education was meant to guide individuals towards becoming virtuous citizens who contribute positively to society.

When we explore Aristotle’s concept of wisdom and enlightenment, we gain further insights into his educational philosophy. According to Aristotle, education should empower individuals to think critically, question assumptions, and seek knowledge with an open mind. He believed that true wisdom comes from understanding the world and our place in it.

In Aristotle’s view, education was not a one-size-fits-all approach. He recognized that each individual has unique talents and abilities, and education should be tailored to their specific needs. Aristotle emphasized the importance of individualized instruction, allowing students to explore their interests and develop their strengths.

Furthermore, Aristotle believed that education should not be limited to the classroom. He advocated for a holistic approach to learning, where individuals engage with the world around them. This included hands-on experiences, discussions, and debates, as well as exposure to different cultures and perspectives.

Another key aspect of Aristotle’s educational philosophy was the role of the teacher. Aristotle saw teachers as mentors and guides, responsible for inspiring and guiding students on their educational journey. He believed that teachers should not only impart knowledge but also serve as role models, embodying the virtues they seek to instill in their students.

As we reflect on Aristotle’s philosophy of education, we can see its relevance even in today’s world. His emphasis on character development, critical thinking, and individualized instruction continues to shape modern educational practices. Aristotle’s ideas remind us that education is not just about acquiring information; it is about nurturing the whole person and empowering individuals to lead fulfilling lives.

Key Aristotle Quotes on Education

Let’s explore some of Aristotle’s most profound quotes on education, which highlight his ideas about its purpose and the process of learning.

Aristotle, one of the greatest philosophers of all time, believed that education was not merely a means to acquire skills or practical benefits. Instead, he saw it as a lifelong pursuit aimed at developing our potential and finding meaning in our existence. Education, according to Aristotle, enriches our lives and allows us to flourish mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Quotes on the Purpose of Education

  • “The ultimate value of life depends upon awareness and the power of contemplation rather than upon mere survival.”
  • “Education is the best provision for the journey to old age.”
  • “The educated differ from the uneducated as much as the living from the dead.”

These quotes by Aristotle emphasize the profound purpose of education. They remind us that education is not just about acquiring knowledge or skills to survive in the world; it is about cultivating awareness and contemplation. It is about preparing ourselves for the journey of life, including the challenges and opportunities that come with old age. Aristotle believed that education is what distinguishes the living from the dead, as it is through education that we truly come alive.

Quotes on the Process of Learning

  • “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.”
  • “It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light.”
  • “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.”

Aristotle recognized that true education involves nurturing both the mind and the heart. It is not enough to simply accumulate facts and figures; education must also focus on developing virtues such as empathy, resilience, and critical thinking. According to Aristotle, educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all. It is in our darkest moments that we must strive to see the light, to find hope and inspiration. Aristotle also believed that excellence is not a random occurrence but rather the result of intentional effort and intelligent decision-making. It is the outcome of choosing the best alternatives and putting in sincere effort.

As we delve into Aristotle’s quotes on education, we gain a deeper understanding of his philosophy. Education, for Aristotle, is not a means to an end but a lifelong journey of self-discovery and personal growth. It is about nurturing both our minds and our hearts, and it is through education that we truly come alive and reach our full potential. So let us embrace the wisdom of Aristotle and strive for a holistic and meaningful education that enriches every aspect of our lives.

Interpreting Aristotle’s Quotes on Education

Now that we have explored Aristotle’s quotes, let’s delve deeper into their meaning and consider how we can apply his wisdom to our modern education systems.

The Meaning Behind Aristotle’s Words

Aristotle’s quotes on education highlight the importance of holistic learning, which encompasses intellectual, moral, and emotional growth. He believed that education should aim to create well-rounded individuals who are not only knowledgeable but also possess virtuous qualities.

When Aristotle speaks of holistic learning, he emphasizes the need for a comprehensive education that goes beyond mere accumulation of knowledge. He believed that education should nurture the mind, body, and soul, fostering the development of intellectual faculties, moral character, and emotional intelligence. This holistic approach to education recognizes that true learning involves the integration of various aspects of human existence, enabling individuals to thrive in all aspects of life.

Furthermore, Aristotle’s emphasis on the cultivation of virtuous qualities underscores the importance of character development in education. He believed that knowledge alone is not enough; individuals must also possess virtues such as empathy, integrity, and critical thinking skills. By instilling these virtues in students, education can empower them to make ethical decisions, engage in meaningful relationships, and contribute positively to society.

Applying Aristotle’s Wisdom to Modern Education

The modern education system often focuses heavily on academic achievements and standardized testing, often neglecting the development of moral character. Aristotle’s philosophy encourages us to reevaluate our approach to education and prioritize the cultivation of virtues such as empathy, critical thinking, and ethical behavior.

Incorporating Aristotle’s wisdom into modern education requires a shift in perspective. Instead of solely focusing on grades and test scores, educators should aim to create learning environments that foster the development of virtues. This can be achieved through various means, such as implementing character education programs, promoting service-learning initiatives, and integrating ethical discussions into the curriculum.

By integrating these values into our curricula, we can foster the holistic growth of students and prepare them to lead purposeful lives. Students who are not only knowledgeable but also possess virtues such as empathy and critical thinking skills will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of the modern world. They will be able to approach challenges with resilience, make ethical decisions, and contribute positively to their communities.

Furthermore, prioritizing the cultivation of virtues in education can have far-reaching societal benefits. A generation of individuals who possess virtues such as empathy and ethical behavior can contribute to the creation of a more compassionate and just society. They can become leaders who prioritize the common good and work towards creating a more equitable world.

The Impact of Aristotle’s Educational Philosophy

Aristotle’s educational ideas have had a profound influence on the field of education throughout history. Many fundamental principles and approaches in modern educational theory can be traced back to Aristotle’s teachings.

Aristotle’s Influence on Educational Theory

His emphasis on the importance of well-rounded education, character development, and critical thinking has shaped our understanding of effective teaching and learning. Aristotle’s philosophy continues to inspire educators to create engaging and meaningful learning experiences that go beyond rote memorization.

The Relevance of Aristotle’s Quotes Today

Even thousands of years later, Aristotle’s quotes on education still hold immense relevance. They remind us of the enduring significance of cultivating virtues, pursuing wisdom, and valuing education as a transformative journey.

Aristotle’s Vision for Enlightened Learning

Aristotle’s vision for education was grand. He believed in the power of education to transform individuals and society as a whole.

The Ideal of an Educated Person According to Aristotle

Aristotle envisioned an educated person as someone who possessed not just knowledge but also wisdom, compassion, and ethical judgment. Education, for Aristotle, was about becoming the best version of ourselves and using our knowledge and virtues to bring positive change to the world.

Achieving Enlightenment through Learning: Aristotle’s Perspective

Aristotle viewed education as a path towards enlightenment. Through learning and self-reflection, individuals could gain a deeper understanding of themselves, others, and the universe. Education was a journey of self-discovery and self-actualization.

In conclusion, Aristotle’s quotes on education offer profound insights into the purpose and process of learning. His philosophy reminds us that education is not merely about accumulating knowledge but about nurturing our virtues and pursuing wisdom. By embracing his teachings, we can create an educational system that fosters holistic growth, critical thinking, and personal fulfillment. Let Aristotle’s wisdom guide us on our own journeys of enlightenment through education.

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12 famous Confucius quotes on education and learning

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Confucius quote on learning typed over a photo of a Chinese calligraphy set saying "Isn't it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned? Isn't it also great when friends visit from distant places? If one remains not annoyed when he is not understood by people around him, isn't he a sage?"

"Isn't it a pleasure to study and practice what you have learned? Isn't it also great when friends visit from distant places? If one remains not annoyed when he is not understood by people around him, isn't he a sage?"

photo of globes with a Confucius quote : "At home, a young man should be a good son, when outside he should treat others like his brothers, his behaviour should be one of trustworthy and proper, and should love the multitude at large and keep himself close to people of benevolence and morality. If after all these activities, he has any energy to spare, he should read widely to stay cultivated.

"At home, a young man should be a good son, when outside he should treat others like his brothers, his behaviour should be one of trustworthy and proper, and should love the multitude at large and keep himself close to people of benevolence and morality. If after all these activities, he has any energy to spare, he should read widely to stay cultivated."

photo of a chinese teacher reading in front of class with a Confucius quote built over the top of the image reading: "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand"

"I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand."

photo of a measuring ruler with a Confucius quote

"He who excels in study can follow an official career.”

photo of books with a Confucius quote saying: “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.”

 “Education breeds confidence. Confidence breeds hope. Hope breeds peace.”

photo of lockers with a Confucius quote

"A man who has committed a mistake and doesn't correct it is committing another mistake."

photo of a Chinese calligraphy set with a Confucius quote  "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."

photo of chalks with a Confucius quote

"It is not possible for one to teach others who cannot teach his own family."

When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self.

"When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self."

An image of four highlighter pens laid down on paper with markings of each colour on the paper and a quote showing "The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance."

"The essence of knowledge is, having it, to apply it; not having it, to confess your ignorance."

Acquire new knowledge whilst thinking over the old, and you may become a teacher of others.

"Acquire new knowledge whilst thinking over the old, and you may become a teacher of others."

Chinese painting of a tree with a Confucius quote saying: "When I walk along with two others, from at least one I will be able to learn"

"When I walk along with two others, from at least one I will be able to learn." 

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50 Great Quotes Illustrate the Power of Education

Celebrating ecpi university’s 50 th anniversary.

There are many reasons to go to college. Just read ECPI University’s quarterly news magazine, eConnect , and you’ll meet countless people, each with their own unique story. Yet, they all have one thing in common: the belief that an education is the vehicle through which we can improve ourselves and open doors. 

Since 1966, ECPI University has been helping people fulfill their personal ambitions. In this, our 50 th anniversary year, we celebrate power of education and its ability to change lives and create lifelong learners.

While college has changed greatly through the ages, the principles of learning have not. With that thought in mind, we commemorate ECPI University’s 50 th anniversary with 50 quotes from some of the world’s greatest minds, each dedicated to the timeless belief that education and perpetual learning should always be humankind’s foremost pursuit.

1. "The illiterate of the future will not be the person who cannot read. It will be the person who does not know how to learn." – Alvin Toffler

2. "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education." – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

3. "Education in the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." – Nelson Mandela

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4. "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself." – John Dewey

5. "An investment in knowledge pays the best interest." – Benjamin Franklin

6. "The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet." – Aristotle

7. "It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." – Aristotle

8. "It is better to learn late than never." – Publilius Syrus

9. "The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change." – Carl Rogers

10. "Education is the movement from darkness to light." – Allan Bloom

11. "The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows." – Sydney J. Harris

12. "Education is learning what you didn’t even know you didn’t know." – Daniel J. Boorstin

13. "Education’s purpose is to replace and empty mind with an open one." – Malcom Forbes

14. "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." – Maimonides

15. "You are always a student, never a master. You have keep moving forward." – Conrad Hall

16. "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." – William Butler Yeats

17. "You can teach a student a lesson for a day; but if you can teach him to learn by creating curiosity, he will continue the learning process as long as he lives." – Clay P. Bedford

18. "Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand." – Chinese proverb

19. "Education cost money, but then so does ignorance." – Claus Moser

20. "What sculpture is to a block of marble education is to the human soul." – Joseph Addison

21. "Why should society feel responsible only for the education of children, and not for the education of all adults of every age?" – Erich Fromm

22. "The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you." – B.B. King

23. "Education is hanging around until you've caught on." – Robert Lee Frost

24. "Education is the ability to listen to almost anything without losing your temper or your self-confidence." – Robert Frost

25. "Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." – Mahatma Gandhi

26. "You can never be overdressed or overeducated." – Oscar Wilde

27. "The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts." – C.S. Lewis

28. "Children must be taught how to think, not what to think." – Margaret Mead

29. "The mind once enlightened cannot again become dark." – Thomas Paine

30. "The great aim of education is not knowledge but action." – Herbert Spencer

31. "The goal of education is the advancement of knowledge and the dissemination of truth." – John F. Kennedy

32. "He that loves reading has everything within his reach." – William Godwin

33. "Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow." – Anthony J. D'Angelo

34. "The only real failure in life is one not learned from." – Anthony J. D'Angelo

35. "Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom." – George Washington Carver

36. "The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next." – Abraham Lincoln

37. "Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death." – Albert Einstein

38. "Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and diligence." –  Abigail Adams

39. "The mere imparting of information is not education." – Carter G. Woodson

40. "To read without reflecting is like eating without digesting." – Edmund Burke

41. "Good questions outrank easy answers." – Paul Samuelson

42. "An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you know and what you don't." – Anatole France

43. "Change is the end result of all true learning." – Leo Buscaglia

44. "Education is a better safeguard of liberty than a standing army." – Edward Everett

45. "Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another." – Gilbert K. Chesterton

46. "He who opens a school door, closes a prison." – Victor Hugo

47. "Cultivation to the mind is as necessary as food to the body." – Marcus Tullius Cicero

48. "Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family." – Kofi Annan

49. "There is no greater education than one that is self-driven." – Neil deGrasse Tyson

50. "Education is freedom." – Paulo Freire

Are you inspired? Is there a field you’ve always wanted to explore but didn’t think it was possible? It’s never too late . Contact ECPI University today, and one of our helpful admissions advisors will be happy to help you explore your options.

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wisdom quotes trending all quotes

115 Philosophy Quotes From The Best Philosophers

By Maxime Lagacé

Maxime is the founder of WisdomQuotes. He has been collecting quotes since 2004. His goal? To help you develop a calm and peaceful mind. Learn more about him on his about page .

Here are 115 of the best philosophy quotes that will teach you more than a philosophy class.

What’s the goal?

To make you think deeply, but most importantly, to help you find a new philosophy of life from these great philosophers.

You’ll learn from Einstein, Goethe, Aristotle, Nietzsche, Thoreau, MLK, and many more.

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Philosophy is the science of truth. Aristotle

philosophy quotes science what know dont bertrand russell wisdom

Science is what you know. Philosophy is what you don’t know. Bertrand Russell

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Don’t explain your philosophy. Embody it. Epictetus

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The philosopher’s product is his life . Friedrich Nietzsche

philosophy quotes advice inquire why whiter just enjoy ice cream while plate thornton wilder wisdom

My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate – that’s my philosophy. Thornton Wilder

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Philosophy teaches us to act, not to speak. Seneca

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We have philosophy professors, but no philosophers. Henry David Thoreau

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Learn to ask of all actions, “Why are they doing that?”, starting with your own. Marcus Aurelius

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

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Philosophy, n. A route of many roads leading from nowhere to nothing. Ambrose Bierce

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History is philosophy teaching by examples. Thucydides

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Philosophy is at once the most sublime and the most trivial of human pursuits. William James

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Philosophy is trying to make sense of what doesn’t. Maxime Lagacé

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Astonishment is the root of philosophy. Paul Tillich

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The three great things of life are: good health; work; and a philosophy of life. Jack London
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The Best Philosophy Quotes

philosophy quotes every man bears whole stamp human condition michel montaigne wisdom nature

Every man bears the whole stamp of the human condition. Michel de Montaigne
Be a philosopher but, amid all your philosophy be still a man. David Hume
I study myself more than any other subject. That is my metaphysics, that is my physics. Michel de Montaigne
Philosophy is man’s expression of curiosity about everything and his attempt to make sense of the world primarily through his intellect. Alan Watts
We are too weak to discover the truth by reason alone. Augustine of Hippo
Philosophy is a battle against the bewitchment of our intelligence by means of language. Ludwig Wittgenstein
A little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion. Francis Bacon
For me, I am driven by two main philosophies: know more today about the world than I knew yesterday and lessen the suffering of others. You’d be surprised how far that gets you. Neil deGrasse Tyson

philosophy quotes study science learn what want first place naval ravikant wisdom

We study science to learn how to get what we want. We study philosophy to know what to want in the first place. Naval Ravikant
My philosophy is: It’s none of my business what people say of me and think of me. I am what I am and I do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. And it makes life so much easier. Anthony Hopkins
There is only one thing a philosopher can be relied upon to do, and that is to contradict other philosophers. William James
Philosophy consists very largely of one philosopher arguing that all others are jackasses. He usually proves it, and I should add that he also usually proves that he is one himself. H. L. Mencken
There is no good or bad without us, there is only perception. There is the event itself and the story we tell ourselves about what it means. Ryan Holiday
Philosophy is itself the disease for which it pretends to be the cure: the wise man does not pursue wisdom but lives his life, and therein precisely does his wisdom lie. Bruce Lee
Just as eating cow meat doesn’t turn you into a cow, studying philosophy doesn’t make you wiser. Nassim Nicholas Taleb
My philosophy, in essence, is the concept of man as a heroic being, with his own happiness as the moral purpose of his life, with productive achievement as his noblest activity, and reason as his only absolute. Ayn Rand

philosophy quotes best life found just keep going maxime lagace wisdom

The best philosophy of life I’ve found is this: just keep going. Maxime Lagacé
The point of philosophy is to start with something so simple as not to seem worth stating, and to end with something so paradoxical that no one will believe it. Bertrand Russell ( The Philosophy of Logical Atomism , Amazon book)
What is the first business of one who practices philosophy? To get rid of self-conceit. For it is impossible for anyone to begin to learn that which he thinks he already knows. Epictetus
A philosopher who is not taking part in discussions is like a boxer who never goes into the ring. Ludwig Wittgenstein
A wise man does not converse for the sake of displaying his own intelligence. James Pierce
To philosophize is to learn how to die or to rise to divinity. Karl Jaspers
Real philosophy is to learn to see the world again. Maurice Merleau-Ponty

Part 2. Philosophy Quotes That Are…

The most famous philosophy quotes.

Go to table of contents

philosophy quotes carpe diem herself laissez faire others scott fitzgerald wisdom

Her philosophy is carpe diem for herself and laissez faire for others. F. Scott Fitzgerald
I do not at all believe in human freedom in the philosophical sense. Everybody acts not only under external compulsion but also in accordance with inner necessity. Albert Einstein
I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. John Adams
People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Theodore Roosevelt
My condition is not unhappiness, but it is also not happiness, not indifference, not weakness, not fatigue, not another interest – so what is it then? Franz Kafka
Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy. Music is the electrical soil in which the spirit lives, thinks and invents. Ludwig van Beethoven
To have no time for philosophy is to be a true philosopher. Blaise Pascal

philosophy quotes responsible life doing best this moment best place next moment oprah winfrey wisdom

My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment. Oprah Winfrey
This is patently absurd; but whoever wishes to become a philosopher must learn not to be frightened by absurdities. Bertrand Russell
In the eyes of dialectical philosophy, nothing is established for all times, nothing is absolute or sacred. Karl Marx
How slow men are in matters when they believe they have time and how swift they are when necessity drives them to it. Niccolò Machiavelli
Anyone who studies present and ancient affairs will easily see how in all cities and all peoples there still exist, and have always existed, the same desires and passions. Niccolò Machiavelli
There will be no end to the troubles of states, or of humanity itself, till philosophers become kings in this world, or till those we now call kings and rulers really and truly become philosophers, and political power and philosophy thus come into the same hands. Plato
There is something of a civil war going on within all of our lives. There is a recalcitrant South of our soul revolting against the North of our soul. And there is this continual struggle within the very structure of every individual life. Martin Luther King Jr
Philosophy triumphs easily over past evils and future evils; but present evils triumph over it. François de la Rochefoucauld
Broadly speaking, human beings may be divided into three classes: those who are toiled to death, those who are worried to death, and those are bored to death. Winston Churchill

philosophy quotes grow older pay less attention people say watch andrew carnegie wisdom

As I grow older, I pay less attention to what people say. I just watch what they do. Andrew Carnegie
By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher. Socrates
Poetry is something more philosophic and serious than history; for poetry speaks of what is universal, history of what is particular. Aristotle
To live alone one must be an animal or a God – says Aristotle. There is yet a third case: one must be both – a philosopher. Friedrich Nietzsche
If a man’s good for nothing else, he can at least teach philosophy. William James
But people themselves alter so much, that there is something new to be observed in them for ever. Jane Austen
A good philosopher makes a bad citizen. Napoleon Bonaparte

Related : What is Philosophy for? (5-minute YouTube video)

Inspirational Philosophy Quotes

philosophy quotes philosophers have hitherto interpreted world various ways change karl marx wisdom new york city

Philosophers have hitherto only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it. Karl Marx
Practice the philosophy of continuous improvement. Get a little bit better every single day. Brian Tracy
I think everybody should study ants. They have an amazing four-part philosophy. Never give up, look ahead, stay positive and do all you can. Jim Rohn
Behavior is a mirror in which everyone shows his image. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
The endpoint of philosophy is childlike wonder. James Pierce ( Source )
It surprises me how disinterested we are today about things like physics, space, the universe and philosophy of our existence, our purpose, our final destination. It’s a crazy world out there. Be curious. Stephen Hawking
To be a philosopher is not merely to have subtle thoughts, nor even to found a school…it is to solve some of the problems of life, not only theoretically, but practically. Henry David Thoreau

philosophy quotes teach live without certainty without being paralised hesitation bertrand russell wisdom

To teach how to live without certainty, and yet without being paralysed by hesitation, is perhaps the chief thing that philosophy, in our age, can still do for those who study it. Bertrand Russell
The perfection of wisdom, and the end of true philosophy is to proportion our wants to our possessions, our ambitions to our capacities, we will then be a happy and a virtuous people. Mark Twain
Jokes of the proper kind, properly told, can do more to enlighten questions of politics, philosophy, and literature than any number of dull arguments. Isaac Asimov
This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness. 14th Dalai Lama
No one should postpone the study of philosophy when he is young, nor should he wear of it when he becomes mature, for the search for mental health is never untimely or out of season. Epicurus
To say that the time to study philosophy has not yet arrived or that it is past is like saying that the time for happiness is not yet at hand, or is no longer present. Epicurus

philosophy quotes ones who let stay sane maxime lagace wisdom

The ones who let go are the ones who stay sane. Maxime Lagacé
Whatever has value in our world now does not have value in itself, according to its nature – nature is always value-less, but has been given value at some time, as a present – and it was we who gave and bestowed it. Friedrich Nietzsche (The Gay Science)
Intuition does not in itself amount to knowledge, yet cannot be disregarded by philosophers and psychologists. Corliss Lamont
There are three classes of men; the retrograde, the stationary and the progressive. Johann Kaspar Lavater
Always look at what people do, not who they are. Gloria Steinem ( My Life on the Road , Amazon book)

Deep Philosophy Quotes

philosophy quotes biological machines programmed survive replicate happy anti evolution naval ravikant wisdom

We are biological machines programmed to survive and replicate. Happy is anti-evolution. Naval Ravikant
To be human is above all to be sensitive. Alan Watts
It’s ok to not have a strong opinion on everything. Zuby
Of all people only those are at leisure who make time for philosophy, only they truly live. Not satisfied to merely keep good watch over their own days, they annex every age to their own. Seneca
A serious and good philosophical work could be written consisting entirely of jokes. Ludwig Wittgenstein
A fool’s brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry. Hence University education. George Bernard Shaw

philosophy quotes things attempts teach reasoning poverty forces practice diogenes wisdom

The things which philosophy attempts to teach by reasoning, poverty forces us to practice. Diogenes
Desire, fundamentally, is a response to a feeling of incompleteness. James Pierce
Unexamined desires run rampant throughout the life of the average person. With these desires comes pain. James Pierce
A human being wants something that will fill the holes he feels within himself. James Pierce
We like explanations, we like theories, we indulge in speculative philosophy and we are carried away by all that. Jiddu Krishnamurti
Experience has shown, and a true philosophy will always show, that a vast, perhaps the larger portion of the truth arises from the seemingly irrelevant. Edgar Allan Poe

philosophy quotes right philosophy one make you move forward maxime lagace wisdom

The right philosophy is the one that will make you move forward. Maxime Lagacé
Are you actually living or is it the past living in the present? Jiddu Krishnamurti
It’s touching that almost everyone you meet, however outwardly accomplished, craves reassurance you like them and think they’re doing OK. Alain de Botton
There is no statement so absurd that no philosopher will make it. Cicero
There are no uninteresting things, only uninterested people. G.K. Chesterton

Related : Six Ideas From Eastern Philosophy (8-minute YouTube video by The School of Life)

Wise Philosophy Quotes

philosophy quotes read old young learn how live thibaut wisdom

Read philosophy. It is not for the old, but for the young to learn how to live. Thibaut
Inner peace is the final stage of philosophy. Maxime Lagacé
To become a philosopher, start by walking very slowly. Nassim Nicholas Taleb
You know you have influence when people start noticing your absence more than the presence of others. Nassim Nicholas Taleb
Loyalty to a petrified opinion never yet broke a chain or freed a human soul. Mark Twain
Absurdity is one of the most human things about us: a manifestation of our most advanced and interesting characteristics. Thomas Nagel ( Mortal Questions , Amazon book)

philosophy quotes strongest intellectual foundation built upon science math naval ravikant wisdom

The strongest intellectual foundation is built upon science, math, and philosophy, as they are the search for universal truths. Naval Ravikant
The only people we can think of as normal are those we don’t yet know very well. Alain de Botton
There may be significant things to learn about people by looking at what annoys them most. Alain de Botton
The desire to belong often overpowers the desire to improve. James Clear
Generally speaking, the errors in religion are dangerous; those in philosophy only ridiculous. David Hume
The hunger for facile wisdom is the root of all false philosophy. George Santanaya

Related : EASTERN PHILOSOPHY – The Buddha (6-minute YouTube video by The School of Life)

Part 3. Conclusion

philosophy quotes century common sense next henry ward beecher wisdom

The philosophy of one century is the common sense of the next. Henry Ward Beecher
If you live long enough, you become a philosopher because you start trying to solve the big problems in your life. The big problems are the old ones — the ones we’ve been trying to solve since the beginning: How do I stay happy? How do I become healthy? How do I become wealthy? How do I raise the family I want? Naval Ravikant

As a lover of quotes, psychology, and philosophy myself, I’ve always been fascinated by how the old philosophers viewed life and how they dealt with it.

It seems a lost art nowadays to ponder deep philosophical and existential questions.

Happily, we still have access to those beautiful words.

In a sense, it’s reassuring and guiding to know how people like Nietzsche or Einstein approached their lives and struggles.

Like Buddha said, life is suffering and without a way of life and a philosophy of life, it can be hard to navigate it.

Further Readings

  • Topic: Life
  • 75 Words of Wisdom From The Best Minds (Ever)
  • 100 Decision Quotes For Better Decision Making (And Life)
  • 77 Life Lessons Quotes (To Learn And Grow)
  • Marcus Aurelius — How to Live A Good Life (6-minute YouTube video)
  • 205 Philosophical Questions – A huge list of thought-provoking questions (conversationstartersworld.com)
  • 73 Life Is Short Quotes To Help You Live To The Fullest
  • 57 Life Goes On Quotes That Will Move You
  • 21 Life-Changing Questions To Ask Yourself Today

Hope you enjoyed these beautiful philosophy quotes. If you did, please share them with a friend today!

What’s your favorite philosophy quote? And remember: words can transform your life, if you find the right ones.

Table Of Contents

Part 1 Top 15 Images Best Quotes

Part 2 Quotes That ARE Famous Inspirational Deep Wise

Part 3 Conclusion

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"By discovering nature, you discover yourself."

famous philosophers quotes about education

Copyright © 2004-2024

The Civic Educator

A cup of coffee and a Paulo Freire quote, "The educator has a duty to not be neutral."

12 Paulo Freire Quotes About Education, Civics, and Pedagogy

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Paulo Freire was a Brazilian educator with some pretty radical ideas about education and its role in creating better societies. To Freire, education was a revolutionary act.

His most famous work is the book Pedagogy of the Oppressed . He discussed his practice of literacy education in Brazil. Through his service as the director of adult literacy programs in Sao Paulo and his other writing, Freire developed a school of thought that came to be known as critical pedagogy.

Below, I’ve collected a few of the more interesting and/or famous quotes from Paulo Freire to help illustrate some of the key ideas of critical pedagogy.

Paulo Freire Quotes from Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Paulo Freire’s first, and by far most famous, work is Pedagogy of the Oppressed , so naturally many of his most well-known quotes come from this book. If you’re unfamiliar with Freire, this is the best place to start to learn about critical pedagogy.

Looking at the past must only be a means of understanding more clearly what and who they are so that they can more wisely build the future. Pedagogy of the Oppressed

This is perhaps one of the more mainstream quotes. Many people would agree that the purpose of learning about history is to understand ourselves and to pave the way for a better future.

While not revolutionary, it’s an important reminder that history has no inherent value, and we shouldn’t be studying it “just because.” This is the premise behind the idea that we ought to be organizing social studies curricula and teaching history thematically instead of chronologically .

There’s no such thing as neutral education. Education either functions as an instrument to bring about conformity or freedom. Pedagogy of the Oppressed

This quote actually appears in the introduction to the book, and it was written by Richard Shaull. But it is a logical conclusion to be drawn from Freire’s work – education is inherently political and revolutionary.

Personally, I find this to be a liberating idea as an educator. Once you understand this, you can abandon the futile attempt to be completely neutral and unbiased. Sure, you should remove yourself from the equation and let your students come to their own conclusions, but it’s a fallacy to think that you can be entirely neutral throughout this process.

Leaders who do not act dialogically, but insist on imposing their decisions, do not organize the people–they manipulate them. They do not liberate, nor are they liberated: they oppress. Pedagogy of the Oppressed

This is an important idea for educators, but also for organizers. No matter what your intentions are, you can’t force ideas onto people. You either co-create them with people, or you’re inadvertently oppressing them.

This concept reminds me a lot of The Ugly American .

It is necessary that the weakness of the powerless is transformed into a force capable of announcing justice. For this to happen, a total denouncement of fatalism is necessary. We are transformative beings and not beings for accommodation. Pedagogy of the Oppressed

In other words – embrace your political efficacy. This is a big challenge sometimes when I work with kids on Project Citizen . There’s always someone with a fatalistic attitude that things are the way they are, and you can’t ever fix them. So why bother?

To glorify democracy and to silence the people is a farce; to discourse on humanism and to negate people is a lie. Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Make sure your values and your actions are in alignment. Can you be a great civic educator, if you’re not practicing and living democratic values in your classroom?

The more students work at storing the deposits entrusted to them, the less they develop the critical consciousness which would result from their intervention in the world as transformers of that world. The more completely they accept the passive role imposed on them, the more they tend simply to adapt to the world as it is and to the fragmented view of reality deposited in them. Pedagogy of the Oppressed

So true. In my school, I find that students have for years been trained to “store the deposits entrusted to them.” Getting them to really think critically is tough.

More recently, I wonder if the emphasis on “rigor” and the technical tasks of literacy and math aren’t just a new iteration of this banking model of education. Instead of tasks, we’re teaching skills, but we’re still not teaching students to actually critically examine the world.

Paulo Freire Quotes from We Make the Road by Walking

We Make the Road by Walking: Conversations on Education and Social Change is a different kind of book. It’s literally a conversation – a dialogue, a la Socrates – between Paulo Freire and Myles Horton. Myles Horton was another radical educator from the United States who played a role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s.

The book was published back in the 1980’s. It is excellent and worth a read, but here are a couple of quotes to give you a taste of what’s in it.

The teacher is of course an artist, but being an artist does not mean that he or she can make the profile, can shape the students. What the educator does in teaching is to make it possible for the students to become themselves. We Make the Road By Walking: Conversations on Education and Social Change

I love this metaphor of a teacher as an artist – like a sculptor who helps a piece of art emerge from a rock. As an artist would say, the image was always there. He didn’t create it, he just removed the parts that didn’t belong.

The educator has the duty of not being neutral. We Make the Road By Walking: Conversations on Education and Social Change

This is similar to the quote above that education cannot be neutral. But it goes a step farther and reminds us that we have a choice as educators. By remaining neutral we’re not ensuring a “neutral” education – we’re just ensuring that someone else is dictating the purpose of that education.

Paulo Freire Quotes from Pedagogy of Hope

Pedagogy of Hope: Reliving Pedagogy of the Oppressed is pretty much what it sounds like. In this book, published towards the end of the career, Freire reflects on his thoughts in the Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Decades of history and practice help add nuance to his initial thoughts and more fully explain his theory of critical pedagogy.

If the great popular masses are without a more critical understanding of how society functions, it is not because they are naturally incapable of it—to my view—but on account of the precarious conditions in which they live and survive, where they are “forbidden to know.” Thus, the way out is not ideological propaganda and political “sloganizing,” as the mechanists say it is, but the critical effort through which men and women take themselves in hand and become agents of curiosity, become investigators, become subjects in an ongoing process of quest for the revelation of the “why” of things and facts. Pedagogy of Hope: Reliving Pedagogy of the Oppressed

Again, people are conditioned not to question. This can be one of the most frustrating part of teaching older students. Younger kids are naturally curious and love to question things, but the further along students are in their “education” the more likely it is that they’ve internalized the need to just seek out facts and complete rote tasks.

If anyone, on the other hand, assuming a democratic, progressive position, therefore argues for the democratization of the programmatic organization of content, the democratization of his or her teaching—in other words, the democratization of curriculum—that person is regarded by the authoritarian as too spontaneous and permissive, or else as lacking in seriousness. Pedagogy of Hope: Reliving Pedagogy of the Oppressed

This quote is spot on. People have such a hard time grasping how you can give up control over the content of a course. There’s a curriculum guide, and you have to follow it… right?

Well, if you’re just trying to deposit information in a person’s brain, yes. If you actually want them to learn, you need to be flexible.

Paulo Freire Quotes from Pedagogy of Freedom

Pedagogy of Freedom was published at the end of Paulo Freire’s career, just before he died. It comes with the benefit of decades of experience and reflection, and it can be read as a culmination of his theory. It’s historical context is also somewhat different – with the original Pedagogy of the Oppressed being rooted in an industrializing society, while Pedagogy of Freedom is born of a newly globalized society.

It’s in making decisions that we learn to decide. Pedagogy of Freedom: Ethics, Democracy, and Civic Courage

There’s a reason that “evaluating” is high on Bloom’s taxonomy.

Whoever teaches learns in the act of teaching, and whoever learns teaches in the act of learning. Pedagogy of Freedom: Ethics, Democracy, and Civic Courage

This is a common theme of Paulo Freire – teaching and learning are reciprocal acts. You can’t do one without the other, at least not if you’re doing it right.

What’s Your Favorite Paulo Freire Quote?

Looking to decorate your classroom? I took three of these quotes and created printable posters with them. Just fill out the form below, and I’ll send you a link to download them.

One could probably go on for days, exploring interesting and poignant quotes from Freire’s work. In fact, the list above doesn’t even touch on all of his work.

You can read some more about his philosophy of pedagogy and its relationship to civics education in this post, “To Read the Word or Read the World.”

I’m curious – what’s your favorite Paulo Freire quote? What’s your favorite book that he wrote? Drop a comment below and share.

1 comments on “12 Paulo Freire Quotes About Education, Civics, and Pedagogy”

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  • Nellie Ferdinandtsen
  • June 6, 2020

Pedagogy of the Oppressed was the first book I was required to read at the beginning of my journey to becoming an educator. I was impressed then and still am today. What an amazing book and relevant.

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85+ Best Existentialism Quotes To Philosophize About

Wise man with binoculars

Best Existential Philosophy Quotes

Famous existential quotes, motivating quotes on existentialism, existentialist philosophers quotes, inspiring existentialism quotes, fascinating existentialism quotes, best existentialism quotes.

It is vital to have an approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual self as a free and responsible agent and outlook that determines the development through the mere act of the will.

“If something burns your soul with purpose and desire, it’s your duty to be reduced to ashes by it. Any other form of existence will be yet another dull book in the library of life” as quoted by Charles Bukowski, purpose and will are essential aspects of a person’s existence; otherwise, it is tedious to watch paint dry.

Existentialism empowers a different and a singular sense of self-appreciation and gives a weight to our imagination and how we may decide to live, which is highly liberating. Hence, you must undertake efforts to master the concepts of existentialism. Master existentialism through these Albert Camus quotes, Samuel Beckett quotes, and more about the ethics of ambiguity.

If you like these existentialism quotes, then you must check out these Jean-Paul Sartre quotes and Simone De Beauvoir quotes .

All these things considered, sometimes people do need something to guide them. After all, misery and confusion love company. So here we have listed the best existentialism quotes for you to mull over.

1. “Life has no meaning the moment you lose the illusion of being eternal.”

- Jean-Paul Sartre.

2. “There is scarcely any passion without struggle.”

- Albert Camus.

3. “Let us do something, while we have the chance!...Let us make the most of it, before it is too late! Let us represent worthily for one the foul brood to which a cruel fate consigned us!”

- Samuel Beckett.

4. “We’re all going to die, all of us, what a circus! That alone should make us love each other but it doesn’t. We are terrorized and flattened by trivialities, we are eaten up by nothing.”

- Charles Bukowski.

5. “We do not know what we want and yet we are responsible for what we are - that is the fact.”

6. “I took a test in Existentialism. I left all the answers blank and got 100.”

- Woody Allen.

7. “Every existing thing is born without reason, prolongs itself out of weakness, and dies by chance.”

8. “We fear death, we shudder at life’s instability, we grieve to see the flowers wilt again and again, and the leaves fall, and in our hearts, we know that we, too, are transitory and will soon disappear.

When artists create pictures and thinkers search for laws and formulate thoughts, it is in order to salvage something from the great dance of death, to make something last longer than we do.”

- Hermann Hesse.

9. “The rightful claim to dissent is an existential right of the individual.”

- Friedrich Durrenmatt.

10. “All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.”

- Ralph Waldo Emerson.

11. “There is something infantile in the presumption that somebody else has a responsibility to give your life meaning and point? The truly adult view, by contrast, is that our life is as meaningful, as full and as wonderful as we choose to make it.”

- Richard Dawkins.

12. “He was free, free in every way, free to behave like a fool or a machine, free to accept, free to refuse, free to equivocate; to marry, to give up the game, to drag this death weight about with him for years to come.

He could do what he liked, no one had the right to advise him, there would be for him no Good or Evil unless he thought them into being.”

13. “Man cannot endure his own littleness unless he can translate it into meaningfulness on the largest possible level.”

- Ernest Becker.

“A freedom which is interested only in denying freedom must be denied.

And it is not true that the recognition of the freedom of others limits my own freedom: to be free is not to have the power to do anything you like; it is to be able to surpass the given toward an open future; the existence of others as a freedom defines my situation and is even the condition of my own freedom.

I am oppressed if I am thrown into prison, but not if I am kept from throwing my neighbor into prison.”

- Simone De Beauvoir.

15. “For small creatures such as we the vastness is bearable only through love.”

- Carl Sagan.

Existentialism is a philosophical ideology that liberates us from the shackles of defined foundations and traditions established by society. Read on for some the best existentialism quotes as well as incredible Sartre existentialism quotes.

16. “The rightful claim to dissent is an existential right of the individual.”

17. “Remember, no matter where you go, there you are.”

- Confucius.

18. “All human actions are equivalent and all are on principle doomed to failure.”

19. “Struggle is what it means to be alive and free.”

- David Budbill.

20. “Remember that no man loses any other life than this which he now lives, nor lives any other than this which he now loses.”

- Marcus Aurelius.

21. “Smooth and smiling faces everywhere, but ruin in their eyes.”

22. “Do you think that i count days? There is one one day left, always starting over: it is given to us at dawn and taken away from us at dusk.”

23. “Hell is other people.”

24. “When the rich wage war, it is the poor that die.”

25. “A lost battle is a battle one thinks one has lost.”

26. “Commitment is an act, not a word.”

27. “We do not judge the people we love.”

28. “Like all dreamers, I mistook disenchantment for truth.”

29. “It is only in our decisions, that we are important.”

30. “Words are loaded pistols.”

“Existence precedes and commands Essence”, quoted by Jean-Paul Sartre, is what forms the founding stone of existentialism. Read on for more the motivating existentialism quotes followed by the most prominent Jean Paul Sartre quotes on existentialism.

31. “Change your life today. Don’t gamble on the future, act now, without delay.”

32. “Society cares for the individual only so far as he is profitable.”

33. “I wish that every human life might be pure transparent freedom.”

34. “Art is an attempt to integrate evil.”

35. “Defending the truth is not something one does out of a sense of duty or to allay guilt complexes, but is a reward in itself.”

36. “Life is occupied in both perpetuating itself and in surpassing itself; if all it does is maintain itself, then living is only not dying.”

37. “To make oneself an object, to make oneself passive, is a very different thing from being a passive object.”

38. “When an individual is kept in a situation of inferiority, the fact is that he does become inferior.”

39. “One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation and compassion.”

40. “In the face of an obstacle which is impossible to overcome, stubbornness is stupid.”

41. "Existence precedes and rules essence."

42. “I hate victims who respect their executioners.”

43. “Once you hear the details of victory, it is hard to distinguish it from a defeat.”

44. “The poor don’t know that their function in life is to exercise our generosity.”

45. “Life begins on the other side of despair.”

46. “The existentialist says at once that man is anguish.”

47. “Who can exhaust a man? Who knows a man’s resources?”

48. “Generosity is nothing else than a craze to possess. All which I abandon, all which I give, I enjoy in a higher manner through the fact that I give it away. To give is to enjoy possessively the object which one gives.”

49. “I have no need for good souls: an accomplice is what I wanted.”

50. “Man is fully responsible for his nature and his choices.”

It is the ideology that emphasizes humans’ existence and their reality, the only driving force to define themselves and their general surroundings. Read on for some of the best Martin Heidegger existentialism quotes as well as the best self-awareness existentialism quotes.

51. “If I take death into my life, acknowledge it, and face it squarely, I will free myself from the anxiety of death and the pettiness of life - and only then will I be free to become myself.”

- Martin Heidegger.

52. “Today, however, we are having a hard time living because we are so bent on outwitting death.”

53. “No one can advise and help you, no one. There is only one way: go within.”

- Rainer Maria Rilke.

54. “From the very beginning, existentialism defined itself as a philosophy of ambiguity.”

- Simon De Beauvoir.

55. “Life changes in the instant. The ordinary instant.”

- Joan Didion .

56. “I mistrust all systematizers and avoid them. the will to a system is a lack of integrity.”

-  Friedrich Nietzsche.

57. “When we see life, we call it beautiful. When we see death, we call it ugly. But it is more beautiful still to see oneself living at great speed, right up to the moment of death.”

-  Jean Genet.

58. “I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world.”

59. “The world is, of course, nothing but our conception of it.”

- Anton Chekhov.

60. “It is necessary to fall in love...if only to provide an alibi for all the random despair you are going to feel anyway.”

Often you come across a lot of questions that grind you mentally. Be it contemplating the insignificance of different things around you, your place in this constantly changing and past phased universe that sometimes leaves you feeling alienated, or the feeling of being caught up inside the deeper recesses of your mind.

Read on for some of the best existentialism quotes to guide you.

61. “One must have at least a readiness to love the other person, broadly speaking, if one is to be able to understand him.”

- Rollo May .

62. “In those who rest on their unshakable faith, pharisaism and fanaticism are the unmistakable symptoms of doubt which has been repressed. Doubt is not overcome by repression but by courage.

Courage does not deny that there is doubt, but it takes the doubt into itself as an expression of its own finitude and affirms the content of an ultimate concern. Courage does not need the safety of an unquestionable conviction. It includes the risk without which no creative life is possible.”

- Paul Tillich.

63. “If the concept of God has any validity or any use, it can only be to make us larger, freer, and more loving. If God cannot do this, then it is time we got rid of Him.”

- James Baldwin.

64. “If you only care about how to live and pay no attention how to live, you may fall into one of two polarized models of life.

The first seeks the temporary peace of avoidance: ‘better a live dog than a dead lion.’ The second lives for a sort of impoverished extravagance, thing pleasure at every opportunity, nothing but “hakuna matata.’ The former can see no meaning; the latter mistakes pleasure for meaning.”

- Xuefu Wang.

65. “Therefore, it is we who are responsible for much of the evil in the world; and we are each morally required to accept rather than project that ponderous responsibility-lest we prefer instead to wallow in a perennial state of powerless, frustrated, furious, victimhood.

For what one possesses the power to bring about, one has also the power to limit, mitigate, counteract, or transmute.”

- Stephen A. Diamond.

66. “The proof that the little prince existed is that he was charming, that he laughed, and that he was looking for a sheep. If anybody wants a sheep, that is a proof that he exists.”

- Antoine De Saint-Exupéry.

67. “The literal meaning of life is whatever you’re doing that prevents you from killing yourself.”

68. “Convictions are more dangerous foes of truth than lies.”

- Nietzsche.

The progressing fame of existentialism theory (especially among youngsters) can be perceived by its basic theme that provides an opportunity of freedom of choices and independence within a present-day setting of no absolute truth. Check out some of the most interesting existentialism quotes.

69. “There’s no way to stop a heartbreak. How do you do that? You cry.”

- Clancy’s Mother, ‘The Midnight Gospel.’

70. “[Death] Opens your heart. It breaks your heart open. Our hearts have been closed because we’ve closed them. We’ve defended ourselves against pain.”

71. “The time of death is uncertain, but death is certain.”

- Trudy, ‘The Midnight Gospel.’

72. “I felt terror that if I stopped drinking I would never write again, because I needed that misery. I needed that edge.”

- Annie, ‘The Midnight Gospel.’

73. “I may leave this plane of existence sooner rather than later, But the love isn’t going anywhere.”

74. “When we set an intention, somehow the world seems to magically come to meet us.”

75. “Put the past aside and the future aside and get sense into [your] bodies.”

76. “Even The hurt transforms because if you inquire into the hurt you know what you’re experiencing is love.”

77. “And the amazing thing about letting go into it is that you find that this thing called love is supportive, that it holds us.”

78. “I do think that we suffer more if we resist the flow of the river.”

Existentialism is one of the most fascinating theories in the present times. Read on for some of the best existentialism quotes.

79. “If you do something too good, then, after a while, if you don’t watch it, you start showing off. And then you’re not as good any more.”

- J. D. Salinger, ‘The Catcher In The Rye,1951.’

80. “Still, obviously, one can’t be sensible all the time.”

81. “Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”

82. “No shepherd and one herd! Everybody wants the same, everybody is the same: whoever feels different goes voluntarily into a madhouse.”

- Friedrich Nietzsche, ‘Thus Spoke Zarathustra.’

83.  “A weird time in which we are alive. We can travel anywhere we want, even to other planets. And for what? To sit day after day, declining in morale and hope.”

- Philip K. Dick.

84. “Youth ends when egotism does; maturity begins when one lives for others.”

- Hermann Hesse, ‘Gertrude.’

85. “It’s not always easy to distinguish between existentialism and a bad mood.”

- Matthew Woodring Stover, ‘Blade Of Tyshalle.’

86. “The artist’s job is not to succumb to despair but to find an antidote for the emptiness of existence.”

87. “I know of only one duty, and that is to love.”

88. “There is no reality except in action.”

Here at Kidadl , we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for existentialism quotes, then why not take a look at Heidegger quotes , or intellectual quotes .

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Mahatma Gandhi Quotes About Education

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There is more to life than increasing its speed.

Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.

Purity of personal life is the one indispensable condition for building up a sound education.

A teacher who establishes rapport with the taught, becomes one with them, learns more from them than he teaches them. He who learns nothing from his disciples is, in my opinion, worthless. Whenever I talk with someone I learn from him. I take from him more than I give him.

An education which does not teach us to discriminate between good and bad, to assimilate the one and eschew the other, is a misnomer

By spiritual training I mean education of the heart.

Literacy is not the end of education nor even the beginning.

Is not education the art of drawing out full manhood of the children under training?

Persistent questioning and healthy inquisitiveness are the first requisite for acquiring learning of any kind.

A balanced intellect presupposes a harmonious growth of body, mind and soul.

Literacy in itself is no education.

The notion of education through handicrafts rises from the contemplation of truth and love permeating life's activities.

In a democratic scheme, money invested in the promotion of learning gives a tenfold return to the people even as a seed sown in good soil returns a luxuriant crop.

Real education has to draw out the best from the boys and girls to be educated.

All education in a country has got to be demonstrably in promotion of the progress of the country in which it is given.

The function of Nayee-Talim is not to teach an occupation, but through it to develop the whole man.

Schools and colleges are really a factory for turning out clerks for the Government.

Experience gained in two schools under my control has taught me that punishment does not purify, if anything, it hardens children.

Education in the understanding of citizenship is a short-term affair if we are honest and earnest.

The aim of university education should be to turn out true servants of the people who will live and die for the country's freedom.

Basic education links the children, whether of the cities or the villages, to all that is best and lasting in India.

Learning takes us through many states of life, but it fails utterly in the hour of danger and temptation. Then faith alone saves.

Literary education must follow the education of the hand -the one gift that distinguishes man from beast.

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  • Died: January 30, 1948
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100 Famous Philosophy Quotes About Life, Love And Death

Life can be a bumpy road..

Written on Dec 31, 2020

aristotle philosophical quote about love

Life can be tough, so you’ve got to be careful what you feed your mind and soul.

The study of philosophy can be a great source of inspiration, so what better place to look than to philosophical quotes from some of the world's most famous philosophers?

RELATED:  50 Inspirational Quotes To Get You Out Of Your Deep, Dark Funk

In this digital age, we’re saturated with social media posts galore. Whether they're about getting over your ex, motivating yourself to get in the gym, motivating yourself to pursue your passions, separating your fake friends from your real ones, we see hundreds of quotes, memes and tweets each day, telling us each how to live our best life.

How can we know which pieces of advice are any good, and which we should probably just ignore ?

Pastor Charles R. Swindoll once said that life is 10% action and 90% reaction. That’s always hit home for me because, when you think about it, life really is all about perception.

Some people believe that the quotes we see, read, and hear on a regular basis may subconsciously affect the way we perceive our lives , for better or for worse.

To help you find some much-needed healthy inspiration, we rounded up 100 of the best philosophy quotes from famous philosophers and great thinkers.

We hope you find them as inspiring, motivating, and hopeful as we do.

Philosophical Quotes About Happiness

1. “happiness is the feeling that power increases — that resistance is being overcome.” — friedrich nietzsche.

friedrich nietzche philosophy quote

2. “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” — Aristotle

3. “rules for happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.” — immanuel kant, 4. “happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.” — mahatma gandhi, 5. “i have learned to seek my happiness by limiting my desires, rather than in attempting to satisfy them.” — john stuart mill.

john stuart mill philosophical quote

6. “Happiness is like a butterfly; the more you chase it, the more it will elude you, but if you turn your attention to other things, it will come and sit softly on your shoulder.” — Henry David Thoreau

7. “why should we build our happiness on the opinions of others, when we can find it in our own hearts” — john-jacques rousseau, 8. “happiness is not something ready-made. it comes from your own actions.” — the dalai lama, 9. “the secret of happiness, you see is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.” — socrates.

socrates philosophical quote

10. “Action may not always bring happiness, but there is no happiness without action." — William James

11. “for every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness.” — ralph waldo emerson, 12. “a day without laughter is a day wasted.” — nicolas chamfort, 13. “happiness depends upon ourselves.” — aristotle.

artistotle philosophical quote

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Philosophy Quotes About Life

14. “the greatest blessings of mankind are within us and within our reach. a wise man is content with his lot, whatever it may be, without wishing for what he has not.” — seneca.

seneca philosophical quote

15. “May you live every day of your life.” — Jonathan Swift

16. “life is not a problem to be solved but a reality to be experienced.” — soren kierkegaard.

soren kierkegaard philosophical quote

17. “The past has no power over the present moment.” — Eckhart Tolle

18. “if you hate a person, then you’re defeated by them.“ — confucius.

confucius philosophical quote

19. “There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein

20. “it does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” — confucius.

confucius philosophical quote

21. “To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all.” — Oscar Wilde

22. “never form a friendship with a man who is not better than you.” — confucius.

confucius philosophical quote

23. “Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” — George Bernard Shaw

24. “when it is obvious that goals can’t be reached, don’t adjust the goals, but adjust the action steps." — confucius.

confucius philosophical quote

25. “Be not afraid of life. Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create the fact.” — William James

26. “what the superior man seeks is in himself; what the small man seeks is in others.” — confucius.

confucius philosophical quote

27. “Give instructions only to those people who seek knowledge after they have discovered their ignorance.” — Confucius

28. “looking at small advantages prevents great affairs from being accomplished.” — confucius.

confucius philosophical quote

29. “If we take eternity to mean not infinite temporal duration but timelessness, then eternal life belongs to those who live in the present.” — Ludwig Wittgenstein

30. “if they spit at you behind your back it means you’re ahead of them.” — confucius.

confucius philosophical quote

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31. “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” — Socrates

32. “the only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance.” — alan watts.

alan watts philosophical quote

33. “The opposite of love is not hate, it's indifference. The opposite of art is not ugliness, it's indifference. The opposite of faith is not heresy, it's indifference. And the opposite of life is not death, it's indifference.” — Elie Wiesel

34. “no valid plans for the future can be made can be made by those who have no capacity for living now.” — alan watts.

alan watts philosophical quote

35. “An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

36. “there is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.” — aristotle.

aristotle philosophical quote

37. “It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live.” — J.K. Rowling

38. “eyes and ears are poor witnesses to people if they have uncultured souls.” — heraclitus.

heraclites philosophical quote

39. “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

40. “reason has always existed, but not always in a reasonable form.” — karl marx.

karl marx philosophical quote

41. “Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.” — William Shakespeare

42. “life is like a piano. what you get out of it depends on how you play it.” — albert einstein.

albert einstein philosophical quote

43. “To know what people really think, pay regard to what they do rather than what they say.” — René Descartes

44. “we do not describe the world we see. we see the world we can describe.” — rené descartes.

rene descartes philosophical quote

45. “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” — Confucius

46. “a ‘no’ uttered from deepest conviction is better than a ‘yes’ merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.” — mahatma gandhi.

mahatma gandhi philosophical quote

47. “You only learn when you give your whole being to something.” — J. Krishnamurti

48. “the more sand had escaped from the hourglass of our life, the clearer we should see through it.” — niccolo machiavelli.

niccolo machiavelli philosophical quote

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Philosophical Quotes About Love

49. “of all forms of caution, caution in love is perhaps the most fatal to true happiness.” — bertrand russell.

bertrand russell philosophical quote

50. “Love is born into every human being; it calls back the halves of our original nature together; it tries to make one out of two and heal the wound of human nature.” — Plato

51. “this fire that we call loving is too strong for human minds. but just right for human souls.” — aberjhani, 52. “love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” — robert a. heinlein, 53. “one is loved because one is loved. no reason is needed for loving.” — paulo coelho, 54. “love is simply the name for the desire and pursuit of the whole.” — plato, 55. "wherever you go, go with all your heart.” —​ confucius, 56. “the madness of love the greatest of heaven’s blessings.” — plato, 57. "love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies." — aristotle, 58. "being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage." — lao tzu, 59. “there is always some madness in love. but there is also always some reason in madness.” — friedrich nietzsche, 60. "immature love says: 'i love you because i need you.' mature love says 'i need you because i love you.'" — erich fromm, 61. "forgiveness is the final form of love." — reinhold niebuhr, 62. “in dreams and in love there are no impossibilities.” ― janos arany, 63. "there is no remedy for love but to love more." — henry david thoreau, 64. "where there is love there is life." — mahatma gandhi.

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Philosophy Quotes About Mental Strength

65. “no amount of anxiety makes any difference to anything that is going to happen.” — alan watts.

alan watts philosophical quote

66. “The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human can alter his life by altering his attitude.” — William James

67. “when anger arises, think of the consequences.” — confucius.

confucius philosophical quote

68. “When we are tired, we are attacked by ideas we conquered long ago.” — Friedrich Nietzche

69. “if you are depressed you are living in the past, if you are anxious you are living in the future. if you are at peace, you are living in the present.” — lao tzu.

lao tzu philosophical quote

70. “Conquer yourself rather than the world.” — Rene Descartes

71. “waking up to who you are requires letting go of who you imagine yourself to be.” — alan watts.

alan watts philosophical quote

72. "Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love." — Brené Brown

73. “prejudices are what fools use for reason.” — francois voltaire.

francois voltaire philosophical quote

74. “A man who has committed a mistake and doesn’t correct it, is committing another mistake.” — Confucius

75. “do not let the behavior of others destroy your inner peace.” — the dalai lama.

dalai lama philosophical quote

76. “Nothing is so difficult as not deceiving oneself.” — Ludwig Wittgenstein

77. “it is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” — aristotle.

aristotle philosophical quote

78. “There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help, and what they cannot.” — Plato

79. “the more you know, the more you know you don’t know.” — aristotle.

aristotle philosophical quote

80. “Thinking. The talking of the soul with itself.” — Plato

81. “the more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large.” — confucius.

confucius philosophical quote

82. “It’s strange how simple things become, once you see them clearly.” — Ayn Rand

83. “dare to know have the courage to use your own intelligence.” — immanuel kant.

immanuel kant philosophical quote

84. “The greatest weapon against stress is our ability to choose one thought over another.” — William James

85. “it is not enough to have a good mind; the main thing is to use it well.” — rené descartes.

rene descartes philosophical quote

86. “He who thinks great thoughts, often makes great errors.” — Martin Heidegger

87. “i think; therefore i am.” — rené descartes.

rene descartes philosophical quote

88. “Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” — Aristotle

aristotle philosophical quote

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Philosophical Quotes About Art

89. “nature is beautiful because it looks like art; and art can only be called beautiful if we are conscious of it as art while yet it looks like nature.” — immanuel kant, 90. “the world of reality has its limits; the world of imagination is boundless.” — john-jacques rousseau, 91. "if you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." — vincent van gogh, 92. “if you ask me what i came to do in this world, i, an artist, will answer you: i am here to live out loud.” — emile zola, 93. “any form of art is a form of power; it has impact, it can affect change – it can not only move us, it makes us move.” — ossie davis, 94. “the aim of art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.” — aristotle.

aristotle philosophical quote

95. “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.” — Pablo Picasso

96. "art is the lie that enables us to realize the truth.” — pablo picasso, 97. “art and love are the same thing: it’s the process of seeing yourself in things that are not you.” — chuck klosterman, 98. “art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.” — thomas merton, 99. “art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” — pablo picasso, 100. “art is not what you see, but what you make others see.” — edgar degas.

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Eric Webb is a writer living in New Jersey. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from Penn State, and he's passionate about sports and encouraging people to be themselves.

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