Quotations from

William James

About

Picture of William James

William James (January 11, 1842 – August 26, 1910) was an American philosopher and psychologist. The first educator to offer a psychology course in the United States, he is considered to be one of the leading thinkers of the late 19th century, one of the most influential philosophers and is often dubbed the "father of American psychology".

from Wikipedia

Quotes from William James

Whenever two people meet, there are really six people present. There is each man as he sees himself, each man as the other person sees him, and each man as he really is.

—William James

There is only one thing a philosopher can be relied upon to do, and that is to contradict other philosophers.

—William James

A great many people think they are thinking when they are really rearranging their prejudices.

—William James

All religions begin with the cry "Help.

—William James

To change one's life: Start immediately. Do it flamboyantly. No exceptions.

—William James

The greatest use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.

—William James

As a rule we disbelieve all the facts and theories for which we have no use.

—William James

Begin to be now what you will be hereafter.

—William James

A strong positive mental attitude will create more miracles than any wonder drug.

—William James

Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives.

—William James

If merely 'feeling good' could decide, drunkenness would be the supreme human experience.

—William James

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

—William James

Common sense and a sense of humor are the same thing, moving at different speeds. A sense of humor is just common sense, dancing.

—William James

We have grown literally afraid to be poor. We despise anyone who elects to be poor in order to simplify and save his inner life. If he does not join the general scramble and pant with the moneymaking street, we deem him spiritless and lacking in ambition. We have lost the power even of imagining what the ancient idealization of poverty could have meant: the liberation from material attachments, the unbribed soul.

—William James

Belief creates the actual fact.

—William James