English Quotes

Sometimes taking time is actually a shortcut. #HarukiMurakami — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 13, 2026

Yet since we have no idea what the world and the job market will look like in 2050, we don't really know what particular skills people will need. #YuvalNoahHarari

Yet since we have no idea what the world and the job market will look like in 2050, we don't really know what particular skills people will need. #YuvalNoahHarari — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 13, 2026

...the ethic of divinity had been central to public discourse in the United States until the time of the World War I, after which it began to fade (except in a few places, such as the American South...) #JonathanHaidt

...the ethic of divinity had been central to public discourse in the United States until the time of the World War I, after which it began to fade (except in a few places, such as the American South...) #JonathanHaidt — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 12, 2026

[Grandparents] also grasp that even when things go a bit wrong, children will generally cope well enough. Their sense of danger and their sense of hope have both been made more accurate by experience. History encourages the less panicky sides of ourselves. #TheSchoolOfLife

[Grandparents] also grasp that even when things go a bit wrong, children will generally cope well enough. Their sense of danger and their sense of hope have both been made more accurate by experience. History encourages the less panicky sides of ourselves. #TheSchoolOfLife — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 12, 2026

My goal for the future isn't to avoid mistakes, it's for the mistakes I do make to be my own. #TimUrban

My goal for the future isn't to avoid mistakes, it's for the mistakes I do make to be my own. #TimUrban — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 12, 2026

[Although people] want to do good deeds, in two studies where we gave them the opportunity to sign up for volunteer work or to help an experimenter pick up a stack of papers she had dropped, we did not find that elevation made people behave much differently. #JonathanHaidt

[Although people] want to do good deeds, in two studies where we gave them the opportunity to sign up for volunteer work or to help an experimenter pick up a stack of papers she had dropped, we did not find that elevation made people behave much differently. #JonathanHaidt — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 12, 2026

As we try to make sense of the world, we work with our existing knowledge and paradigms. We formulate ideas and then systematically seek out information that confirms those ideas. We dismiss contrary information as exceptions. #StevenNovella

As we try to make sense of the world, we work with our existing knowledge and paradigms. We formulate ideas and then systematically seek out information that confirms those ideas. We dismiss contrary information as exceptions. #StevenNovella — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 11, 2026

Even if the contrary opinion is in error, the airing of it may help to remind people of a truth and prevent its slippage into an ignorant dogma which may in time--if unchallenged--itself become lost. (John Stuart Mill) #DouglasMurray

Even if the contrary opinion is in error, the airing of it may help to remind people of a truth and prevent its slippage into an ignorant dogma which may in time--if unchallenged--itself become lost. (John Stuart Mill) #DouglasMurray — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 11, 2026

It is one of the unexpected disasters of the modern age that our new unparalleled access to information has come at the price of our capacity to concentrate on anything much. #AlaindeBotton

It is one of the unexpected disasters of the modern age that our new unparalleled access to information has come at the price of our capacity to concentrate on anything much. #AlaindeBotton — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 11, 2026

There are good things in store. Not because I deserve them. Not because I worked for them. But because they are as much a part of Chaos as destruction and loss. #LuluMiller

There are good things in store. Not because I deserve them. Not because I worked for them. But because they are as much a part of Chaos as destruction and loss. #LuluMiller — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 11, 2026

But the threat of some kind of punishment must always be present, or a norm is little more than hot air. Covenants, says Thomas Hobbes, without the sword, are but words. Similarly, you can't have enforcement without creating a de facto norm... #KevinSimler

But the threat of some kind of punishment must always be present, or a norm is little more than hot air. Covenants, says Thomas Hobbes, without the sword, are but words. Similarly, you can't have enforcement without creating a de facto norm... #KevinSimler — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 11, 2026

Pessimism of the spirit; optimism of the will. #AntonioGramsci

Pessimism of the spirit; optimism of the will. #AntonioGramsci — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 10, 2026

As algorithms come to know us so well, authoritarian governments could gain absolute control over their citizens, even more so than in Nazi Germany, and resistance to such regimes might be utterly impossible. #YuvalNoahHarari

As algorithms come to know us so well, authoritarian governments could gain absolute control over their citizens, even more so than in Nazi Germany, and resistance to such regimes might be utterly impossible. #YuvalNoahHarari — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 10, 2026

Concern about safety and lawsuits [limited what people could have in] assisted living apartments, mandated what activities they were expected to participate in, and defined ever more stringent move-out conditions that would trigger discharge to a nursing facility. #AtulGawande

Concern about safety and lawsuits [limited what people could have in] assisted living apartments, mandated what activities they were expected to participate in, and defined ever more stringent move-out conditions that would trigger discharge to a nursing facility. #AtulGawande — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 10, 2026

[Spiritual] journeys are fundamentally different from religions, because religions seek to cement the worldly order whereas spirituality seeks to escape it. #YuvalNoahHarari

[Spiritual] journeys are fundamentally different from religions, because religions seek to cement the worldly order whereas spirituality seeks to escape it. #YuvalNoahHarari — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 10, 2026

Solitude, observation, and simple conviviality should be recognized not only as ends in and of themselves, but inalienable rights belonging to anyone lucky enough to be alive. #JennyOdell

Solitude, observation, and simple conviviality should be recognized not only as ends in and of themselves, but inalienable rights belonging to anyone lucky enough to be alive. #JennyOdell — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 10, 2026

The traditional American rule for successfully transferring a powerful message to an audience: tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them, then tell them what you've told them. This is the philosophy of low context communication in a nutshell. #ErinMeyer

The traditional American rule for successfully transferring a powerful message to an audience: tell them what you are going to tell them, then tell them, then tell them what you've told them. This is the philosophy of low context communication in a nutshell. #ErinMeyer — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 9, 2026

In essence, terrorism is a show. Terrorists stage a terrifying spectacle of violence that captures our imagination and makes us feel as if we are sliding back into medieval chaos. Consequently states often feel obliged to react to the theatre of terrorism... #YuvalNoahHarari

In essence, terrorism is a show. Terrorists stage a terrifying spectacle of violence that captures our imagination and makes us feel as if we are sliding back into medieval chaos. Consequently states often feel obliged to react to the theatre of terrorism... #YuvalNoahHarari — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 9, 2026

Virtue is excellence, something uncommonly great and beautiful, which rises far above what is vulgar and ordinary. #AdamSmith

Virtue is excellence, something uncommonly great and beautiful, which rises far above what is vulgar and ordinary. #AdamSmith — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 9, 2026

The popular insurrection that ends in the death or deposition of a Sultan is as lawful an act as those by which he disposed, the day before, of the lives and fortunes of his subjects. #JeanJacquesRousseau

The popular insurrection that ends in the death or deposition of a Sultan is as lawful an act as those by which he disposed, the day before, of the lives and fortunes of his subjects. #JeanJacquesRousseau — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 9, 2026

Don't do anything that isn't play! #MarshallRosenberg

Don't do anything that isn't play! #MarshallRosenberg — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 9, 2026

...we now have Social Justice texts [...] sex is not biological and exists on a spectrum, language can be literal violence, denial of gender identity is killing people, the wish to remedy disability and obesity is hateful, and everything needs to be decolonized. #HelenPluckrose

...we now have Social Justice texts [...] sex is not biological and exists on a spectrum, language can be literal violence, denial of gender identity is killing people, the wish to remedy disability and obesity is hateful, and everything needs to be decolonized. #HelenPluckrose — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 8, 2026

Nothing is inherently beautiful, sacred, or sexy; human feelings make it so. #YuvalNoahHarari

Nothing is inherently beautiful, sacred, or sexy; human feelings make it so. #YuvalNoahHarari — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 8, 2026

A feeling cannot be 'right' or 'wrong'. It is how we act out our feelings that is moral or immoral. #TheSchoolOfLife

A feeling cannot be 'right' or 'wrong'. It is how we act out our feelings that is moral or immoral. #TheSchoolOfLife — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 8, 2026

Some see in our rancorous politics a surfeit of moral conviction: too many people believe too deeply, too stridently, in their own convictions and want to impose them on everyone else. #MichaelSandel

Some see in our rancorous politics a surfeit of moral conviction: too many people believe too deeply, too stridently, in their own convictions and want to impose them on everyone else. #MichaelSandel — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 8, 2026

...the ancients reveal a sophisticated understanding of moral psychology, similar to Franklin's. They all knew that virtue resides in a well-trained elephant. They all knew that training takes daily practice and a great deal of repetition. #JonathanHaidt

...the ancients reveal a sophisticated understanding of moral psychology, similar to Franklin's. They all knew that virtue resides in a well-trained elephant. They all knew that training takes daily practice and a great deal of repetition. #JonathanHaidt — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 8, 2026

Political reform need not go hand in hand with economic liberalisation. I do not believe that if you are libertarian, full of diverse opinions, full of competing ideas in the market place, full of sound and fury, therefore you will succeed. #LeeKuanYew

Political reform need not go hand in hand with economic liberalisation. I do not believe that if you are libertarian, full of diverse opinions, full of competing ideas in the market place, full of sound and fury, therefore you will succeed. #LeeKuanYew — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 8, 2026

A telos crisis is defined by the fact that people in it don't know what their purpose is. When this happens, they become fragile. Nietzsche says that he who has a why to live for can endure any how. If you know what your purpose is, you can handle the setbacks. #DavidBrooks

A telos crisis is defined by the fact that people in it don't know what their purpose is. When this happens, they become fragile. Nietzsche says that he who has a why to live for can endure any how. If you know what your purpose is, you can handle the setbacks. #DavidBrooks — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 7, 2026

Consider that two people can hold incompatible beliefs based on the exact same data. Does this mean that there are possible families of explanations and that each of these can be equally perfect and sound? Certainly not. #NassimNicholasTaleb

Consider that two people can hold incompatible beliefs based on the exact same data. Does this mean that there are possible families of explanations and that each of these can be equally perfect and sound? Certainly not. #NassimNicholasTaleb — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 7, 2026

The psychologist Linda Skitka finds that when people have strong moral feelings about a controversial issue--when they have a moral mandate--they care much less about procedural fairness in court cases. They want the good guys freed by any means #JonathanHaidt

The psychologist Linda Skitka finds that when people have strong moral feelings about a controversial issue--when they have a moral mandate--they care much less about procedural fairness in court cases. They want the good guys freed by any means #JonathanHaidt — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 7, 2026

We are taught [...] to analyze our own fault for making him/her leave. [...] In fact, this is a dangerous slope of gnawing at our own self-worth, and a medicalization of the perfectly natural response to companionship (love), instrumented by psychology. #EvaIllouz

We are taught [...] to analyze our own fault for making him/her leave. [...] In fact, this is a dangerous slope of gnawing at our own self-worth, and a medicalization of the perfectly natural response to companionship (love), instrumented by psychology. #EvaIllouz — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 7, 2026

As pschologists will point out, what dooms couples isn't that they argue; it's that they don't know how to make up. #TheSchoolOfLife

As pschologists will point out, what dooms couples isn't that they argue; it's that they don't know how to make up. #TheSchoolOfLife — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 7, 2026

No leader gets free rein without accountability--if their decisions turn out to be bad, they are held to task. #JulieZhuo

No leader gets free rein without accountability--if their decisions turn out to be bad, they are held to task. #JulieZhuo — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 6, 2026

The discipline imposed on citizens by the bourgeois state makes them into subjects, people who delude themselves that they exert an influence on the course of events. #AntonioGramsci

The discipline imposed on citizens by the bourgeois state makes them into subjects, people who delude themselves that they exert an influence on the course of events. #AntonioGramsci — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 6, 2026

[The Russian Handbook] Paging through the book during my flight, I was amused to read: If you are walking through the street without a jacket, little old Russian ladies may stop and chastise you for poor judgment #ErinMeyer

[The Russian Handbook] Paging through the book during my flight, I was amused to read: If you are walking through the street without a jacket, little old Russian ladies may stop and chastise you for poor judgment #ErinMeyer — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 6, 2026

The core idea of the ethic of divinity is that each person has divinity inside, so the ideal society helps people live in a way consistent with that divinity. What an individual desires is not particularly important... #JonathanHaidt

The core idea of the ethic of divinity is that each person has divinity inside, so the ideal society helps people live in a way consistent with that divinity. What an individual desires is not particularly important... #JonathanHaidt — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 6, 2026

Every man is pent up within the limits of his own consciousness, and cannot directly get beyond those limits any more than he can get beyond his own skin #Schopenhauer

Every man is pent up within the limits of his own consciousness, and cannot directly get beyond those limits any more than he can get beyond his own skin #Schopenhauer — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 6, 2026

Remember this rule: intuition cannot be trusted in the absence of stable regularities in the environment. #DanielKahneman

Remember this rule: intuition cannot be trusted in the absence of stable regularities in the environment. #DanielKahneman — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 6, 2026

And everyone, with an eye to raising their price, strives to make themselves more attractive as a friend or associate--by learning new skills, acquiring more and better tools, and polishing their charms. #KevinSimler

And everyone, with an eye to raising their price, strives to make themselves more attractive as a friend or associate--by learning new skills, acquiring more and better tools, and polishing their charms. #KevinSimler — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 5, 2026

You aren't a machine with broken parts. You are an animal whose needs are not being met. #JohannHari

You aren't a machine with broken parts. You are an animal whose needs are not being met. #JohannHari — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 5, 2026

Once we learn to see ourselves as already, and by nature, foolish, it doesn't matter so much if we do one more thing that might look quite stupid. The person we try to kiss could indeed think us ridiculous. But if they did so, it wouldn't be news to us #AlaindeBotton

Once we learn to see ourselves as already, and by nature, foolish, it doesn't matter so much if we do one more thing that might look quite stupid. The person we try to kiss could indeed think us ridiculous. But if they did so, it wouldn't be news to us #AlaindeBotton — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 5, 2026

The oftener the choice fell upon old men, the oftener it became necessary to repeat it, and the more the trouble of such repetitions became sensible; electioneering took place; factions arose; the parties contracted ill blood... to relapse into their primitive confusion #Rousseau

The oftener the choice fell upon old men, the oftener it became necessary to repeat it, and the more the trouble of such repetitions became sensible; electioneering took place; factions arose; the parties contracted ill blood... to relapse into their primitive confusion #Rousseau — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 5, 2026

As people become aware of the finitude of their life, they do not ask for much. They do not seek more riches. They do not seek more power. They ask only to be permitted, insofar as possible, to keep shaping the story of their life in the world #AtulGawande

As people become aware of the finitude of their life, they do not ask for much. They do not seek more riches. They do not seek more power. They ask only to be permitted, insofar as possible, to keep shaping the story of their life in the world #AtulGawande — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 5, 2026

Cleverness, after all, has its limitations. Its mechanical judgments and clever remarks tend to prove inaccurate with passing time, because it doesn't look very deeply into things to begin with #BenjaminHoff

Cleverness, after all, has its limitations. Its mechanical judgments and clever remarks tend to prove inaccurate with passing time, because it doesn't look very deeply into things to begin with #BenjaminHoff — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 4, 2026

Twenty-six American states passed laws explicitly prohibiting or limiting the employment of married women in various fields. By 1940 more than three-quarters of the school systems in the United States refused to hire married women as teachers. #StephanieCoontz

Twenty-six American states passed laws explicitly prohibiting or limiting the employment of married women in various fields. By 1940 more than three-quarters of the school systems in the United States refused to hire married women as teachers. #StephanieCoontz — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 4, 2026

To be human is to have biases. #JonathanHaidt

To be human is to have biases. #JonathanHaidt — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 4, 2026

Removing the [irrational] fear and the concern with identity or the opinions of others would thrust the person into the not-actually-risky Chef Lab and have them bouncing around all the exhilarating places outside their comfort zone--and their lives would take off. #TimUrban

Removing the [irrational] fear and the concern with identity or the opinions of others would thrust the person into the not-actually-risky Chef Lab and have them bouncing around all the exhilarating places outside their comfort zone--and their lives would take off. #TimUrban — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 4, 2026

One of the most important forms of heroism is the heroism of conciousness, the heroism of thought: the willingness to tolerate aloneness. #NathanielBranden

One of the most important forms of heroism is the heroism of conciousness, the heroism of thought: the willingness to tolerate aloneness. #NathanielBranden — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 4, 2026

For more than 260 years, scientists from Kew have explored every corner of the world documenting the rich diversity of plants and fungi. We were beacons of discovery and science, but also beacons of privilege and exploitation. #RichardDeverell

For more than 260 years, scientists from Kew have explored every corner of the world documenting the rich diversity of plants and fungi. We were beacons of discovery and science, but also beacons of privilege and exploitation. #RichardDeverell — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 3, 2026

As long as people don't know about asexuality [not knowing that saying no forever and for any reason and in any context is okay] sex education, sex therapy, and popular depictions of sex are incomplete and people don't have the relevant information to fully consent. #AngelaChen

As long as people don't know about asexuality [not knowing that saying no forever and for any reason and in any context is okay] sex education, sex therapy, and popular depictions of sex are incomplete and people don't have the relevant information to fully consent. #AngelaChen — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 3, 2026

Don't hire people just to fit the first job they will do; hire people you want to share your life with. #RayDalio

Don't hire people just to fit the first job they will do; hire people you want to share your life with. #RayDalio — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 3, 2026

We were bothered by sex because it is a fundamentally disruptive, overwhelming and demented force, strongly at odds with the majority of our ambitions and all but incapable of being discreetly integrated within civilized society. #AlaindeBotton

We were bothered by sex because it is a fundamentally disruptive, overwhelming and demented force, strongly at odds with the majority of our ambitions and all but incapable of being discreetly integrated within civilized society. #AlaindeBotton — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 3, 2026

If pupils suffer from attention disorders, stress and low grades, perhaps we ought to blame outdated teaching methods, overcrowded classrooms and an unnaturally fast tempo of life. #YuvalNoahHarari

If pupils suffer from attention disorders, stress and low grades, perhaps we ought to blame outdated teaching methods, overcrowded classrooms and an unnaturally fast tempo of life. #YuvalNoahHarari — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 3, 2026

It's easy to say that sex is important and it's harder to be vulnerable enough to say that sex is important because a lack of sex creates fear and insecurity. #AngelaChen

It's easy to say that sex is important and it's harder to be vulnerable enough to say that sex is important because a lack of sex creates fear and insecurity. #AngelaChen — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 2, 2026

Peoples once accustomed to masters are not in a condition to do without them. If they attempt to shake off the yoke, they still more estrange themselves from freedom, as [...] they nearly always manage [...] to hand themselves over to seducers ... #JeanJacquesRousseau

Peoples once accustomed to masters are not in a condition to do without them. If they attempt to shake off the yoke, they still more estrange themselves from freedom, as [...] they nearly always manage [...] to hand themselves over to seducers ... #JeanJacquesRousseau — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 2, 2026

We should be aiming to lead lives that feel long because we have managed to imbue them with the right sort of open-hearted appreciation and unsnobbish receptivity, the kind that five-year-olds know naturally how to bring to bear. #TheSchoolOfLife

We should be aiming to lead lives that feel long because we have managed to imbue them with the right sort of open-hearted appreciation and unsnobbish receptivity, the kind that five-year-olds know naturally how to bring to bear. #TheSchoolOfLife — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 2, 2026

The absence of alternatives clears the mind marvelously. #HenryKissinger

The absence of alternatives clears the mind marvelously. #HenryKissinger — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 2, 2026

The old equation has changed. Most families no longer save money by keeping wives at home. They lose by not having wives in the workplace, where women have more opportunities than in the past to earn decent wages. #StephanieCoontz

The old equation has changed. Most families no longer save money by keeping wives at home. They lose by not having wives in the workplace, where women have more opportunities than in the past to earn decent wages. #StephanieCoontz — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 2, 2026

Differences give rise to disagreements, and the combination of these disagreements can give rise to even greater misunderstandings. As a result, sometimes people are unfairly criticized. #HarukiMurakami

Differences give rise to disagreements, and the combination of these disagreements can give rise to even greater misunderstandings. As a result, sometimes people are unfairly criticized. #HarukiMurakami — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 2, 2026

Idealism easily becomes dangerous because it brings with it, almost inevitably, the belief that the ends justify the means. If you are fighting for good or for God, what matters is the outcome, not the path. #JonathanHaidt

Idealism easily becomes dangerous because it brings with it, almost inevitably, the belief that the ends justify the means. If you are fighting for good or for God, what matters is the outcome, not the path. #JonathanHaidt — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 1, 2026

If you speak English, 200 million out of 1.2 billion people will be able to understand you. If you speak Hindi, you have the ears of about 500 million people. If you speak Tamil, you have only 60 million people... It is a great handicap for any prime minister of India #LeeKuanYew

If you speak English, 200 million out of 1.2 billion people will be able to understand you. If you speak Hindi, you have the ears of about 500 million people. If you speak Tamil, you have only 60 million people... It is a great handicap for any prime minister of India #LeeKuanYew — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 1, 2026

If utopia means the highest set of values we want to defend and see implemented in social life, nothing prevents us from hanging on to all of them even if we know that they will never be perfectly compatible with each other. #LeszekKolakowski

If utopia means the highest set of values we want to defend and see implemented in social life, nothing prevents us from hanging on to all of them even if we know that they will never be perfectly compatible with each other. #LeszekKolakowski — English Quotes (@english_quotes) Feb 1, 2026

Society may subsist, though not in the most comfortable state, without beneficence; but the prevalence of injustice must utterly destroy it. #AdamSmith