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George Berkeley Quotes

Philosopher

George Berkeley, born on March 12, 1685, and died on January 12, 1753, was a renowned philosopher of the 18th century. He is best known for his idealist philosophy, advocating the view that existence is dependent on perception. His major works include 'Principles of Human Knowledge' and 'A New Theory of Vision'.

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All Men Mind Ifs Thinking May Ideas Should Reason World Existence Humans Firsts Knows Mean My Own Body Liberty Principles Soul Way

Famous George Berkeley Quotes

“Atheism ... that bugbear of women and fools ... is the very top and perfection of free-thinking. It is the grand arcanum to which a true genius naturally riseth, by a certain climax or gradation of thought, and without which he can never possess his soul in absolute liberty and repose.”

Thinking Soul Certain Liberty Atheism Fool Genius Perfection Absolutes Repose Free Thinking Climax True Genius

Book:The Works of George Berkeley ...: Philosophical works, 1732-33: Alciphron. The theory of vision

Source: The Works of George Berkeley ...: Philosophical works, 1732-33: Alciphron. The theory of vision

“There being in the make of an English mind a certain gloom and eagerness, which carries to the sad extreme; religion to fanaticism; free-thinking to atheism; liberty to rebellion.”

Thinking Mind Certain Religion Liberty Atheism Sad England Extremes Carrie Rebellion Fanaticism Gloom Eagerness Free Thinking

Book:The Works of George Berkeley, D.D., Formerly Bishop of Cloyne: Philosophical works, 1732-33: Alciphron. The theory of vision

Source: The Works of George Berkeley, D.D., Formerly Bishop of Cloyne: Philosophical works, 1732-33: Alciphron. The theory of vision

“The real essence, the internal qualities, and constitution of even the meanest object, is hid from our view; something there is inevery drop of water, every grain of sand, which it is beyond the power of human understanding to fathom or comprehend. But it is evidentthat we are influenced by false principles to that degree as to mistrust our senses, and think we know nothing of those things which we perfectly comprehend.”

“How often must I repeat, that I know or am conscious of my own being; and that I myself am not my ideas, but somewhat else, a thinking, active principle that perceives, knows, wills, and operates about ideas?”

Thinking Knows Ideas My Own Existence Consciousness Principles Perception Conscious Active Perceive Repeats

Book:Works: Account of His Life and Letters

Source: Works: Account of His Life and Letters

“It would much conduce to the public benefit, if, instead of discouraging free-thinking, there was erected in the midst of this free country a dianoetic academy, or seminary for free-thinkers, provided with retired chambers, and galleries, and shady walks and groves, where, after seven years spent in silence and meditation, a man might commence a genuine free-thinker, and from that time forward, have license to think what he pleased, and a badge to distinguish him from counterfeits.”

Source: Alciphron: Or, The Minute Philosopher. In Seven Dialogues. Containing an Apology for the Christian Religion Against Those who are Called Free-thinkers ...

“I am apt to think, if we knew what it was to be an angel for one hour, we should return to this world, though it were to sit on the brightest throne in it, with vastly more loathing and reluctance than we would now descend into a loathsome dungeon or sepulchre.”

Ifs Thinking World Should Hours This World Return Angel Thrones Loathing One Hour Dungeons Reluctance

Book:The works of George Berkeley

Source: The works of George Berkeley

“It is a mistake, to think the same thing affects both sight and touch. If the same angle or square, which is the object of touch,be also the object of vision, what should hinder the blind man, at first sight, from knowing it?”

Ifs Thinking Men Should Firsts Mistake Vision Knowing Objects Sight Blind Squares Angle Hinder Blind Man

Book:The Works of George Berkeley, D.D., Bishop of Cloyne: Including His Letters to Thomas Prior, Esq., Dean Gervais, Mr. Pope, &c., &c. ; to which is Prefixed an Account of His Life

Source: The Works of George Berkeley, D.D., Bishop of Cloyne: Including His Letters to Thomas Prior, Esq., Dean Gervais, Mr. Pope, &c., &c. ; to which is Prefixed an Account of His Life

“All men have opinions, but few think.”

Thinking Men Opinion

Author:George Berkeley

“I imagine that thinking is the great desideratum of the present age; and the cause of whatever is done amiss may justly be reckoned the general neglect of education in those who need it most, the people of fashion. What can be expected where those who have the most influence have the least sense, and those who are sure to be followed set the worst examples?”

People Thinking Needs May Done Age Causes Imagine Influence Worst Fashion Example Expected Neglect Imagine That

Book:The Works of George Berkeley, D.D., Bishop of Cloyne: Including His Letters to Thomas Prior, Esq., Dean Gervais, Mr. Pope, &c., &c. ; to which is Prefixed an Account of His Life

Source: The Works of George Berkeley, D.D., Bishop of Cloyne: Including His Letters to Thomas Prior, Esq., Dean Gervais, Mr. Pope, &c., &c. ; to which is Prefixed an Account of His Life

“In short, if there were external bodies, it is impossible we should ever come to know it; and if there were not, we might have the very same reasons to think there were that we have now.”

Ifs Thinking Knows Should Reason Body Might Impossible

Book:Principles of Human Knowledge: Human Understanding

Source: Principles of Human Knowledge: Human Understanding

“Few men think, yet all will have opinions.”

Thinking Men Opinion Human Nature

Book:Works, Including His Letters to Thomas Prior, Dean Gervais, Mr. Pope, &c. to which is Prefixed an Account of His Life

Source: Works, Including His Letters to Thomas Prior, Dean Gervais, Mr. Pope, &c. to which is Prefixed an Account of His Life

“Whatever the world thinks, he who hath not much meditated upon God, the human soul, and the summum bonum, may possibly make a thriving earthworm, but will most indubitably make a sorry patriot and a sorry statesman.”

Thinking World Humans May Soul Sorry Patriot Human Soul Statesmen

Book:The works of George Berkeley, D.D., bishop of Cloyne

Source: The works of George Berkeley, D.D., bishop of Cloyne

“Upon the whole, I am inclined to think that the far greater part, if not all, of those difficulties which have hitherto amused philosophers, and blocked up the way to knowledge, are entirely owing to our selves. That we have first raised a dust, and then complain, we cannot see.”

Ifs Thinking Way Firsts Self Philosophy Whole Greater Difficulty Raised Philosopher Math Complaining Dust Amused Blocked Owing

Author:George Berkeley