Something of the hermit's temper is an essential element in many forms of excellence, since it enables men to resist the lure of popularity, to pursue important work in spite of general indifference or hostility, and arrive at opinions which are opposed to prevalent errors.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of inner strength and independence of thought for achieving excellence.
Bertrand Russell's quote highlights that having a temper similar to that of a hermit—characterized by solitude and resistance to societal pressures—can be crucial for success. It suggests that to excel, one must be able to withstand the temptation of popularity and remain committed to important work, even in the face of indifference or criticism, ultimately leading to unique and valuable insights that challenge common beliefs.
In practice
In a motivational speech to encourage students to think critically despite peer pressure.
St. Paul introduced an entirely novel view of marriage, that it existed primarily to prevent the sin of fornication. It is just as if one were to maintain that the sole reason for baking bread is to prevent people from stealing cake.
Freedom comes only to those who no longer ask of life that it shall yield them any of those personal goods that are subject to the mutations of time.
Of these austerer virtues the love of truth is the chief, and in mathematics, more than elsewhere, the love of truth may find encouragement for waning faith. Every great study is not only an end in itself, but also a means of creating and sustaining a lofty habit of mind; and this purpose should be kept always in view throughout the teaching and learning of mathematics.
At all times, except when a monarch could enforce his will, war has been facilitated by the fact that vigorous males, confident of victory, enjoyed it, while their females admired them for their prowess.
Moreover, the attitude that one ought to believe such and such a proposition, independently of the question whether there is evidence in its favor, is an attitude which produces hostility to evidence and causes us to close our minds to every fact that does not suit our prejudices.
Extreme hopes are born from extreme misery.
I know nothing, because I know too much, and understand not nearly enough and never will.
One of the reasons why so few of us ever act, instead of react, is because we are continually stifling our deepest impulses.
Do not love leisure. Waste not a minute. Be bold. Realize the Truth, here and now!
If you find out what it is you love to do and give your whole life to it, then there is no contradiction, and in that state your being is your doing.
I still occasionally need to struggle but I now fear it less. The weapons I fight it with are also my consolations: books, music, food, wine, nature.
Move forward and let others do the same. Simple. This is a guiding principle everyone should have.
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