Alfred North Whitehead

Philosophy begins in wonder. And, at the end, when philosophic thought has done its best, the wonder remains.

Philosophy is the product of wonder.

Every philosophy is tinged with the coloring of some secret imaginative background, which never emerges explicitly into its train of reasoning.

It takes an extraordinary intelligence to contemplate the obvious.

Intelligence is quickness to apprehend as distinct from ability, which is capacity to act wisely on the thing apprehended.

The vitality of thought is in adventure. Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them. When the idea is new, its custodians have fervor, live for it, and if need be, die for it.

Art flourishes where there is a sense of adventure.

Without adventure civilization is in full decay.

But you can catch yourself entertaining habitually certain ideas and setting others aside; and that, I think, is where our personal destinies are largely decided.

Wisdom alone is true ambition's aim, wisdom is the source of virtue and of fame; obtained with labour, for mankind employed, and then, when most you share it, best enjoyed.

Man can acquire accomplishments or he can become an animal, whichever he wants. God makes the animals, man makes himself.

The absolute pacifist is a bad citizen; times come when force must be used to uphold right, justice and ideals.