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Quote by Will Durant

“The Dialogues remain one of the priceless treasures of the world. The best of them, The Republic, is a complete treatise in itself, Plato reduced to a book; here we shall find his metaphysics, his theology, his ethics, his psychology, his pedagogy, his politics, his theory of art. He we shall find problems reeking with modernity and contemporary savor: communism and socialism, feminism and birth-control and eugenics, Nietzschean problems of morality and aristocracy, Rousseauian problems of return to nature and libertarian education, Bergsonian elan vital and Freudian psychoanalysis - everything is here. It is a feast for the elite, served by unstinting host. "Plato is philosophy and philosophy is Plato" says Emerson; and awards to The Republic of Omar about the Koran: "Burn the libraries, for their value is in this book.”

Book:The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the World's Greatest Philosophers

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The Story of Philosophy: The Lives and Opinions of the World's Greatest Philosophers

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Author

Will Durant

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. more

“You haven’t realized it yet but your life is precious. I always say that people should not do something that has no purpose. Is there a purpose behind your actions? Of course there is a purpose behind your decision to step into this bamboo forest. That is why your life is not meaningless. --The Unnamed Samurai (Chapter 5)”

Life Purpose Buddhism Meaning Of Life Purpose In Life Bamboo Western Philosophy

Book:The Autumnal Winds

Source: The Autumnal Winds

“The view that Hegel represents a kind of summation of major strands in the Western tradition is not without some truth. This being so, if we wish to follow in his footsteps, we must strive for as comprehensive and nuanced an understanding of the possibilities of the philosophical tradition as he had. Obviously, this is extraordinarily difficult; it is Hegel's greatness that has made things more difficult for metaphysics rather than easier. To be a great metaphysician is not only to release essential possibilities of thinking, it is to cast a shadow over descendent thinkers under which they must struggle for light. Excess of light blinds eyes unused to the surplus of greatness.”

Metaphysics Hegel Western Philosophy

Author:William Desmond

“We cannot see how divine the hills and the mountains are, so we want an angel with wings on top of them.”

Greed Simplicity Lust Oneness Bliss Subtle Contentment Peak Experiences Spiritual Experiences Spiritual Materialism

Book:The Perfume of Silence

Source: The Perfume of Silence

“[Tennessee] William's writing has the effect that all great writing has on an actor. It steadies you. It emboldens you You ride an elevator to the top floor of a building, you jump off the penthouse balcony, and you fly. Just put one foot in front of the other, one line after the other, one moment after the other, and you are walking on air. It was the creative experience of a lifetime. (playing Stanley in Streetcar Named Desire)”