Nature smiles at the union of freedom and equality in our utopias. For freedom and equality are sworn and everlasting enemies, and when one prevails the other dies.
Will DurantRead
Philosophy is harmonized knowledge making a harmonious life; it is the self-discipline which lifts us to serenity and freedom. Knowledge is power, but only wisdom is liberty.
Interpretation
Philosophy integrates knowledge to enhance life, emphasizing wisdom as the path to true freedom.
This quote by Will Durant reflects the idea that philosophy combines various fields of knowledge to create a balanced and fulfilling life. It suggests that while knowledge itself provides strength, it is wisdom—the thoughtful application of knowledge—that grants us true liberty and peace of mind, achieved through self-discipline and understanding.
In practice
In a motivational speech about personal growth.
Nature smiles at the union of freedom and equality in our utopias. For freedom and equality are sworn and everlasting enemies, and when one prevails the other dies.
The greatest question of our time is not communism vs. individualism, not Europe vs. America, not even the East vs. the West; it is whether men can bear to live without God.
If we have never been amazed by the very fact that we exist, we are squandering the greatest fact of all.
If you wish to be loved, be modest; if you wish to be admired, be proud; if you wish both, combine external modesty with internal pride.
When liberty destroys order the hunger for order will destroy liberty.
Civilizations come and go; they conquer the earth and crumble into dust; but faith survives every desolation.
In a strange room you must empty yourself for sleep. And before you are emptied for sleep, what are you. And when you are emptied for sleep, what are you. And when you are emptied for sleep you are not. And when you are filled with sleep, you never were. I don't know what I am. I don't know if I am or not.
If the same punishment is prescribed for two crimes that injure society in different degrees, then men will face no stronger deterrent from committing the greater crime if they find it in their advantage to do so.
Power does not corrupt. Fear corrupts... perhaps the fear of a loss of power.
We have Christians against Muslims against Jews, and no matter how liberal your theology, merely identifying yourself as a Christian or a Jew lends tacit validity to this status quo. People have morally identified with a subset of humanity rather than with humanity as a whole.
It was astonishing to see how angry Cersei could wax over accusations she knew perfectly well to be true.
There are many things worth living for, a few things worth dying for, and nothing worth killing for.
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