The Scientific Outlook

Bertrand Russell

“In all forms of love we wish to have knowledge of what is loved, not for purposes of power but for the ecstasy of contemplation… This may indeed be made the touchstone of any love that is valuable.”

Bertrand Russell on power-knowledge vs. love-knowledge and what makes life satisfying:

Free Thought and Official Propaganda

Bertrand Russell

“The protection of minorities is vitally important; and even the most orthodox of us may find himself in a minority some day, so that we all have an interest in restraining the tyranny of majorities.”

Bertrand Russell, writing 100 years ago and timelier than ever, on freedom of thought and our only effective self-defense against propaganda:

Mysticism and Logic and Other Essays

Bertrand Russell

“Both in thought and in feeling, even though time be real, to realise the unimportance of time is the gate of wisdom.”

Bertrand Russell on intuition, the intellect, and the nature of time – tremendous read:

What I Believe

Bertrand III Russell

“The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge. Neither love without knowledge, nor knowledge without love can produce a good life.”

Bertrand Russell on the two pillars of the good life and how our moral superstitions are keeping us from happiness:

The Conquest of Happiness

Bertrand Russell

“A generation that cannot endure boredom will be a generation of little men… of men in whom every vital impulse slowly withers, as though they were cut flowers in a vase.”

Bertrand Russell on boredom and why our capacity for “fruitful monotony” is essential for happiness – immensely timely read from 1930: