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torn between the poles of extreme rationalism and the desire to be convinced by the mysticism itself.
“Beware the irrational, however seductive. Shun the 'transcendent' and all who invite you to subordinate or annihilate yourself. Distrust compassion; prefer dignity for yourself and others. Don't be afraid to be thought arrogant or selfish. Picture all experts as if they were mammals. Never be a spectator of unfairness or stupidity. Seek out argument and disputation for their own sake; the grave will supply plenty of time for silence. Suspect your own motives, and all excuses. Do not live for others any more than you would expect others to live for you.”
― Letters to a Young Contrarian
― Letters to a Young Contrarian
“If Jesus had been an actual historical figure we have a thorny paradox. Either this Jesus was a remarkable individual who said and did a host of amazing, revolutionary things – but no one outside his fringe cult noticed for over a century. Or he didn’t – and yet shortly after his death, tiny communities of worshipers that cannot agree about the most basic facts of his life spring up, scattered all across the empire. The truth is inescapable: there simply could never have been a historical Jesus.”
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“In the age of information, ignorance is a choice.”
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“One swallow does not make a summer, neither does one fine day; similarly one day or brief time of happiness does not make a person entirely happy.”
― The Nicomachean Ethics
― The Nicomachean Ethics
“The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to the presence of those who think they've found it.”
― Monstrous Regiment
― Monstrous Regiment
Alain de Botton
— 184 members
— last activity Oct 27, 2010 02:00PM
A chance to discuss the work of Alain de Botton, especially the latest title, A Week at the Airport. Dates, October 18-24
Goodreads Librarians Group
— 297930 members
— last activity 3 minutes ago
Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more
Reading Proust's In Search of Lost Time in 2014
— 93 members
— last activity Mar 09, 2019 04:37PM
A reading group for Marcel Proust's "In Search of Lost Time". This group reading adventure will begin on January 1, 2014 and go on through December ...more
Mysterious Universe
— 337 members
— last activity Apr 13, 2022 09:11AM
A group for fans of the Mysterious Universe podcast and a space to catalog the books referenced and recommended by the show.
Phil’s 2024 Year in Books
Take a look at Phil’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
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