Explore Quotes by G. I. Gurdjieff

Self-observation brings man to the realization of the necessity of self-change. And in observing himself a man notices that self-observation itself brings about certain changes in his inner processes. He begins to understand that self-observation is an instrument of self-change, a means of awakening.

Love of consciousness evokes the same in response_x000D__x000D_Love of feeling evokes the opposite_x000D__x000D_Love of body depends only on type and polarity.

Hope of consciousness is strength._x000D_Hope of feelings is slavery._x000D_Hope of body is disease.

Remember you come here having already understood the necessity of struggling with yourself — only with yourself. Therefore thank everyone who gives you the opportunity.

Better to die than live in sleep.

What is possible for individual man is impossible for the masses.

Meat is necessary when there is hard physical work to be done, or in a very cold climate, or when edible plants cannot be found...Animal flesh provides all the substances we need, both for the intensive working of our organism and for maintaining a normal temperature in cold climates.

Man has no individual 'I'. But there are, instead, hundreds and thousands of separate small 'I's, very often entirely unknown to one another, never coming into contact, or, on the contrary, hostile to each other, mutually exclusive and incompatible. Each minute, each moment, man is saying or thinking, 'I'. And each time his 'I' is different. Just now it was a thought, now it is a desire, now a sensation, now another thought, and so on, endlessly. Man is a plurality. Man's name is legion.

As long as our ideas are the same, we will never be apart.

Common aim is stronger than blood.

Man must use what he has, not hope for what is not.

Love without knowledge is demonic.

I will tell you one thing that will make you rich for life. There are two struggles: an Inner-world struggle and an Outer-world struggle...you must make an intentional contact between these two worlds; then you can crystallize data for the Third World, the World of the Soul.

There is a cosmic law which says that every satisfaction must be paid for with a dissatisfaction.

The only type of sexual relations possible are those with someone who is as advanced and capable as oneself.

Only super-efforts count.

It is very difficult also to sacrifice one's suffering. A man will renounce any pleasures you like but he will not give up his suffering.

Conscious faith is freedom. Emotional faith is slavery. Mechanical faith is foolishness.

Knowledge can be acquired by a suitable and complete study, no matter what the starting point is. Only one must know how to "learn." What is nearest to us is man; and you are the nearest of all men to yourself. Begin with the study of yourself; remember the saying "Know thyself."

The greatest untold story is the evolution of God.

To know means to know all. Not to know all means not to know. In order to know all, it is only necessary to know a little. But, in order to know this little, it is first necessary to know pretty much.