Author: Ernest Renan

Quotes

In morals, truth is but little prized when it is a mere sentiment, and only attains its full value when realized in the world as fact.

In morals, truth is but little prized when it is a mere sentiment, and only attains its full value when realized in the world as fact.

- Ernest Renan

As a rule, all heroism is due to a lack of reflection, and thus it is necessary to maintain a mass of imbeciles. If they once understand themselves the ruling men will be lost.

As a rule, all heroism is due to a lack of reflection, and thus it is necessary to maintain a mass of imbeciles. If they once understand themselves the ruling men will be lost.

- Ernest Renan

The greatest men of a nation are those it puts to death.

The greatest men of a nation are those it puts to death.

- Ernest Renan

No idea can succeed except at the expense of sacrifice; no one ever escapes without enduring strain from the struggle of life.

No idea can succeed except at the expense of sacrifice; no one ever escapes without enduring strain from the struggle of life.

- Ernest Renan

The simplest schoolboy is now familiar with truths for which Archimedes would have sacrificed his life.

The simplest schoolboy is now familiar with truths for which Archimedes would have sacrificed his life.

- Ernest Renan

When people complain of life, it is almost always because they have asked impossible things of it.

When people complain of life, it is almost always because they have asked impossible things of it.

- Ernest Renan

All the great things of humanity have been accomplished in the name of absolute principles.

All the great things of humanity have been accomplished in the name of absolute principles.

- Ernest Renan

You may take great comfort from the fact that suffering inwardly for the sake of truth proves abundantly that one loves it and marks one out as being of the elect.

You may take great comfort from the fact that suffering inwardly for the sake of truth proves abundantly that one loves it and marks one out as being of the elect.

- Ernest Renan

Let us remember that sorrow alone is the creator of great things.

Let us remember that sorrow alone is the creator of great things.

- Ernest Renan

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