I will follow my logic, no matter where it goes, after it has consulted with my heart. If you ever come to a conclusion without calling the heart in, you will come to a bad conclusion.
Robert Green IngersollRead
When passions and appetites are stronger than the intellect, men are savages; when the intellect governs the passions, when the passions are servants, men are civilized. The people need education - facts - philosophy.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that intellect must guide human passions for civilization to thrive, emphasizing the importance of education and philosophy.
In this quote, Robert Green Ingersoll argues that humans can descend into savagery when their desires overpower their rational thinking. He asserts that a civilized society is one where intellect governs passions, highlighting the need for education and philosophical understanding to maintain a structured and harmonious existence. Education serves as a key element that enables individuals to refine their instincts and emotions, ultimately leading to a more enlightened and civilized populace.
Themes
EducationIntellectPassionsPhilosophyCivilization
In practice
Example use cases
During a speech about personal development, one might quote this to emphasize the importance of education in controlling one's desires.
More from Robert Green Ingersoll
All quotes →If the guardians of society, the protectors of 'young persons,' could have had their way, we should have known nothing of Byron or Shelley. The voices that thrill the world would now be silent.
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The religion that has to be supported by law is without value, not only, but a fraud and a curse. The religious argument that has to be supported by a musket is hardly worth making.
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There is no slavery but ignorance.
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In all ages the people have honored those who dishonored them. They have worshiped their destroyers; they have canonized the most gigantic liars, and buried the great thieves in marble and gold. Under the loftiest monuments sleeps the dust of murder.
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I believe that there is something far nobler than loyalty to any particular man. Loyalty to the truth as we perceive it - loyalty to our duty as we know it - loyalty to the ideals of our brain and heart - is, to my mind, far greater and far nobler than loyalty to the life of any particular man or God. . . .
Robert Green IngersollRead
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