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Philosophy Quotes

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Philosophy Quotes

“I was a poet animated by philosophy, not a philosopher with poetic faculties.”

Philosophy Poet Philosopher Faculty Poetic Animated

Book:The Selected Prose of Fernando Pessoa

Source: The Selected Prose of Fernando Pessoa

“Poetry is a bad medium for philosophy. Everything in the philosophical poem has to satisfy irreconcilable requirements: for instance, the last demand that we should make of philosophy (that it be interesting) is the first we make of a poem; the philosophical poet has an elevated and methodical, but forlorn and absurd air as he works away at his flying tank, his sewing-machine that also plays the piano.”

Should Firsts Philosophy Play Lasts Interesting Air Poet Demand Machines Philosophical Flying Absurd Mediums Instance Piano Poetry Is Requirements Tanks Sewing Forlorn Methodical

Author:Randall Jarrell

“A different conception of society, very different from that which now prevails, is in process of formation. Under the name of Anarchy, a new interpretation of the past and present life of society arises, giving at the same time a forecast as regards its future, both conceived in the same spirit as the above-mentioned interpretation in natural sciences. Anarchy, therefore, appears as a constituent part of the new philosophy, and that is why Anarchists come in contact, on so many points, with the greatest thinkers and poets of the present day.”

“[Shahrazad] had perused the books, annals and legends of preceding Kings, and the stories, examples and instances of by gone men and things; indeed it was said that she had collected a thousand books of histories relating to antique races and departed rulers. She had perused the works of the poets and knew them by heart; she had studied philosophy and the sciences, arts and accomplishments; and she was pleasant and polite, wise and witty, well read and well bred.”

Source: One Thousand and One Nights - Complete Arabian Nights Collection (Delphi Classics)

“And truly Philosophy is but sophisticated poetry. Whence do those ancient writers derive all their authority but from the poets?”

Philosophy Poetry Poet Authority Philosophical Ancient Sophisticated

Book:The Essays

Source: The Essays

“Poetry contains philosophy as the soul contains reason.”

Soul Reason Philosophy Poetry Poet Philosophical

Author:Victor Hugo

“The whole history of modern poetry is a continuous commentary on the short text of philosophy: every art should become science, and every science should become art; poetry and philosophy should be united.”

Should Art Philosophy Whole Poetry United Modern Poet Philosophical Poetry Is Commentary Modern Poetry

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“Without poetry, religion becomes obscure, false, and malignant; without philosophy, licentious in all wantonness, and lascivious to the point of self-castration.”

Self Philosophy Poetry Religion Poet Philosophical Obscure Castration

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“The life and vigor of poetry consists of the fact that it steps out of itself, tears out a section of religion, then withdraws into itself to assimilate it. The same is true of philosophy.”

Philosophy Facts Poetry Steps Tears Poet Sections Vigor

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“If one believes philosophers, then what we call religion is only a deliberately popularized or an instinctively artless philosophy. Poets seem to consider religion rather as a variation of poetry which by misjudging its proper beautiful game takes itself too seriously and one-sidedly. Philosophy, however, admits and recognizes that it can begin and complete itself only with religion. Poetry seeks only to strive for the infinite and despises worldly utility and culture, which are the true antitheses of religion. Eternal peace among artists is thus not far away.”

“Poetry and philosophy are, according to how you take them, different spheres, different forms, or factors of religion. Try to really combine both, and you will have nothing but religion.”

Trying Different Philosophy Form Poetry Religion Poet Philosophical Factors Spheres

Author:Karl Wilhelm Friedrich Schlegel

“Where philosophy ends, poetry must commence. There should not be a common point of view, a natural manner of thinking which standsin contrast to art and liberal education, or mere living; that is, one should not conceive of a realm of crudeness beyond the boundaries of education. Every conscious link of an organism should not perceive its limits without a feeling for its unity in relation to the whole. For example, philosophy should not only be contrasted to non-philosophy, but also to poetry.”

“In general, I distrust philosophy. Plato recommended chasing poets from the city; the 'great' Heidegger was a Nazi; Lukacs was a communist; and J. P. Sartre wrote: 'Any anti-communist is a dog.'”

Philosophy Cities Dog Poet Communist Nazi Plato Distrust Chasing Heidegger Anti Communist

Author:Claude Simon

“I believe philosophy must go to school with the poets; it's not either/or, it's not over or against.”

Believe Philosophy School I Believe Poet Either Or

Author:Cornel West