Discourse on the Method Quotes

“And it is evident that it is not less repugnant that falsity or imperfection, in so far as it is imperfection, should proceed from God, than that truth or perfection should proceed from nothing.”

― René Descartes, Discourse on the Method

topic:truth

“It is thus quite certain that the constitution of the true religion, the ordinances of which are derived from God, must be incomparably superior to that of every other.”

― René Descartes, Discourse on the Method

topic:truthreligion

“And, in fine, of false sciences I thought I knew the worth sufficiently to escape being deceived by the professions of an alchemist, the predictions of an astrologer, the impostures of a magician, or by the artifices and boasting of any of those...”

― René Descartes, Discourse on the Method

topic:knowledgescienceignorance

“My third maxim was to endeavor always to conquer myself rather than fortune, and change my desires rather than the order of the world, and in general, accustom myself to the persuasion that, except our own thoughts, there is nothing absolutely in...”

― René Descartes, Discourse on the Method

topic:powerdesirethought

“Good sense is, of all things among men, the most equally distributed; for every one thinks himself so abundantly provided with it, that those even who are the most difficult to satisfy in everything else, do not usually desire a larger measure of...”

― René Descartes, Discourse on the Method

topic:menjudgement

“in order to ascertain the real opinions of such, I ought rather to take cognizance of what they practised than of what they said”

― René Descartes, Discourse on the Method

topic:words

“It is useful to know something of the manners of different nations, that we may be enabled to form a more correct judgment regarding our own, and be prevented from thinking that everything contrary to our customs is ridiculous and irrational, a...”

― René Descartes, Discourse on the Method

topic:experiencejudgement

“For to be possessed of a vigorous mind is not enough; the prime requisite is rightly to apply it.”

― René Descartes, Discourse on the Method

topic:mindthought

“The greatest minds, as they are capable of the highest excellences, are open likewise to the greatest aberrations; and those who travel very slowly may yet make far greater progress, provided they keep always to the straight road, than those who,...”

― René Descartes, Discourse on the Method

topic:mind

“But immediately upon this I observed that, whilst I thus wished to think that all was false, it was absolutely necessary that I, who thus thought, should be somewhat;”

― René Descartes, Discourse on the Method

topic:thoughtdoubtexistence