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Will Durant

Will Durant Quotes

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Will Durant was an American historian, philosopher, and writer, best known for his 'The Story of Civilization' series. His works delve into the development of human civilization, covering multiple civilizations from ancient times to the modern era. Durant is praised for his extensive reading and profound historical insight.

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Famous Will Durant Quotes

“Above all, the function of art is catharsis, purification: emotions accumulated in us under the pressure of social restraints, and liable to sudden issue in unsocial and destructive action, are touched off and sluiced away in the harmless form of theatrical excitement ; so tragedy, "through pity and fear, effects the proper purgation of these emotions." Aristotle [...] in this theory of catharsis he has made a suggestion endlessly fertile in the understanding of the almost mystic power of art.”

Art Philosophy Aristotle Art Theory

Book:The Story of Aristotle's Philosophy; 39

Source: The Story of Aristotle's Philosophy; 39

“Art lies in conceiving and designing, not in the actual execution' - this was left for lesser minds.”

Mind Art Lying Left Design Execution Conceiving

Author:Will Durant

“Music and religion are as intimately related as poetry and love; the deepest emotions require for their civilized expression the most emotional of arts.”

Art Emotion Emotional Expression And Love Related Civilized

Book:The Age of Faith: The Story of Civilization

Source: The Age of Faith: The Story of Civilization

“Every science begins as philosophy and ends as art; it arises in hypothesis and flows into achievement.”

Art Ends Philosophy Achievement Flow Arise Hypothesis

Book:Story of Philosophy

Source: Story of Philosophy

“To say nothing, especially when speaking, is half the art of diplomacy.”

Art Half Communication Diplomacy Diplomats Folk Art

Book:The Story of Civilization: The Age of Reason begins, 1558-1648

Source: The Story of Civilization: The Age of Reason begins, 1558-1648

“The dog that buried the bone which even a canine appetite could not manage, the squirrel that gathered nuts for a later feast, the bees that filled the comb with honey, the ants that laid up stores for a rainy day - these were among the first creators of civilization. It was they....who taught our ancestors the art of providing for tomorrow out of the surplus of today, or of preparing for winter in summer's time of plenty.”

Source: Our Oriental Heritage: The Story of Civilization

“Civilization is social order promoting cultural creation. Four elements constitute it: economic provision, political organization, moral tradition, and the pursuit of knowledge and the arts. It begins where chaos and insecurity end. For when fear is overcome, curiosity and constructiveness are free, and man passes by natural impulse towards the understanding and embellishment of life.”

Source: Our Oriental Heritage: The Story of Civilization